Which one of these outstanding sports stars did not serve in the US Military?
Mickey Mantle did not serve in the US Military.
He is a MLB Legend who started with the NY Yankees as a First Baseman, and a Center Fielder during the 1950's and the 1960's. He died of liver failure, after a transplant in 1994, on August 13, 1995, at Baylor University Medical Center.
Bob Feller served with the US Army during WWII.
Joe Louis served with the US Army during WWII.
Jackie Robinson served with the US Army Segregated Core during WWII.
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
What are your thoughts on this subject?
18 Comments
aggie
Ted Williams was probably the most military active professional sports star of all time. He was a Marine fighter pilot during both World War II and the Korean War. And in the Korean War he was the wing man to a famous pilot soon to be world famous astronaut John Glenn.
wok
LAZYASS picture.
Richard D. Boyle
Mantle was willing to serve if cleared by his physical exams by the military but he was rejected as 4-F in 1948 and examined again in 1951 and 1952 as a result of public pressure during the Korean War. He failed the physical each time because of chronic leg issues dealing with his ankle and knee caused by sports injuries from both football and baseball. There was never any indication of reluctance to serve on his part. His injuries were not “phantom” type like some others most of us could name.
rrb rb
My uncle thought he won long drive in a golf tournament in Nashville.when he looked at the marker the name on it was Mickey Mantle. Nice try uncle Horace.
Gerald Fife
Bob Feller served in the Navy during WWII not the Army.
Gary S. Hughes
Didn't recall Mantle service in military
Richard S. Levine
Mickey suffered from Osteomalacia or soft bones. He fractured easily. Ergo, I chose him.
Thomas Bruening
To clarify, Feller was one of the first-- maybe the first -- to join the military during World War II,
Thomas Bruening
Feller was one of the first -- maybe the first -- professional athletes to enlist in the military. Feller was sworn in two days after Pearl Harbor was bombed. Feller served aboard the USS Alabama as a gunnery captain and fought in some of the key battles in the Pacific.
Thomas Bruening
For the record, Bob Feller served in the Navy.
Ray Brylski
It would be a better explanation if the author stated why Mickey Mantle did not serve
Larry Jones
Ed Taber, when I played, I batted left and fielded right. That's how I was taught by my two older brothers. I am predominantly left handed. And now you know the price of tea in China!
DannyBoy
Got it on a 50/50.
Ed Taber
aggie, I watched a bio on Ted Williams and while he fielded as a right hander he seemed to always bat left handed.
Mark Johnson
Aggie🤓Great job on the Ted history. More people need to know.
George Oliver Prince
Interesting info on Ted Williams. If not for his service time, he probably would have set a number of baseball records. Mickey Mantle was my favorite player when I was a kid