On 9/11: A Salute to Athletes that Have Served
11 Sep
“Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America — with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.” Those were the words of President Bush 7 years ago today. And on a day that will forever be engrained in the minds of Americans, InGameNow would like to salute the many athletes who have sacrificed and served for our United States of America. This list definitely does not include all of these heros, but hopefully, everyone who reads this list will honor these individuals, along with the more unsung ones as well.
Joe DiMaggio – A lot of people know the story of The Yankee Clipper: 13-time All-Star, 9-time World Series Champion, and 3-time American League Most Valuable Player. Also of note are his 56 consecutive game hitting streak and .325 career batting average. People also know that DiMaggio was in the military, but what they may not know is that Joe voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army Air Force on February 17, 1943, even though at the time his parents were not yet American citizens. After his service of the United States during World War II, he returned to the Major Leagues and finished his career with six straight All-Star selections.
Ted Williams – He took 4 and a half years off his baseball career to serve his country in World War II and the Korean War. First as a flight instructor of F-4U Corsairs in the Marines during the second World War, and then as an active pilot flying F-9F Panthers. Williams was even awarded the Air Medal for saving his plane after it was hit during a strike run into North Korea. Before returning to baseball late into the 1953 season, Williams had completed 38 combat missions and earned the respect of General Douglas MacArthur for his service.
Bob Feller – The “Heater from Van Meter” won 266 games and struck out 2,581 batters during his 18-year Hall of Fame career with the Cleveland Indians. Just 2 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Feller became the first Major League Baseball player to volunteer for active duty. He served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama for 4 years, earning 5 campaign ribbons and 8 battle stars. In 1946, one year after his return to the big leagues, Feller was 26-15 with a 2.18 ERA, 36 complete games and 348 strikeouts. His career was highlighted by 3 no-hit games, including the only opening day no-hitter in baseball history, and he was honored as “the greatest pitcher of his time” by the Sporting News.
Rocky Bleier – This running back from Notre Dame was drafted twice in 1968 – the first time by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the second time for service in the Army as an infantryman in the Vietnam War. When his platoon was ambushed, Bleier was crippled in both legs by enemy fire and shrapnel. Doctors told him he would never play football again, but one year later, Bleier reported to the Steelers training camp determined to make the team. Rocky took 2 full years to make the active roster, including being waived twice. And the rest, as they say, is history: Bleier started 12 seasons with the Steelers, finishing his career with 3,865 rushing yards, 25 touchdowns and winning 4 Super Bowl rings.
Unfortunately, there are also those that have given the greatest sacrifice that anyone can give for the service of our great Nation:
James Robert Kalsu – Bob, as he went by, was an All-American tackle at the University of Oklahoma. In 1968, he was drafted by and started at guard for the Buffalo Bills, earning the team’s rookie of the year award. Kalsu reported to duty after the season to fulfill his ROTC obligation. Kalsu was killed in action on July 21, 1970.
Donald Thomas Steinbrunner – Donald’s career with the Cleveland Browns ended after 8 games in 1953 with a knee injury. He decided to join the United States Air Force and serviced as a navigator and an assistant football coach at the United States Air Force Academy. In 1966, Steinbrunner was sent to Vietnam. He suffered an injury and was offered a safer assignment, which he in turn refused. On July 20, 1967, Major Steinbrunner’s plane was shot down and all 5 of his crewman were killed in the line of duty. He was posthumously given the honor of being awarded the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Harry O’Neill — Caught for the Philadelphia Athletics, died in action on Iwo Jima in March 1945.
Al Blozis — An outstanding tackle for Georgetown University and the Giants, Bonzis died while serving in the Army protecting a stronghold inside the Vosges Mountains of France in January 1945.
Jerry Coleman, another distinguished Marine pilot in Korea, was also a New York Yankees second baseman. Coleman flew more than 120 missions, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 13 Air Medals and three Navy citations.
For all those who have served, and those who have lost, we thank you and will never forget.
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