September 1918 by Skip
Desjardin links together WWI, the Spanish flu epidemic, and
the 1918 World Series by using Boston as an common thread.
He also references politics, economics, science and their
impact on the three important events of 1918.
Desjardin noted, “I happened to read a novel, The
Given Day, by Dennis Lehane that was set in Boston in
1919. In that novel Lehane refers to the events of the previous
year: The Spanish Flu and the World Series. I came up with
a lot of questions. The more I researched these connections
the more I thought there is a story here. I wanted to finish
the book before the 100thAnniversary of WWI’s end.”
Leading the first American fighting force in France was a
division of Massachusetts militia volunteers. At precisely
the same time the Spanish Flu erupted in Boston and its suburbs,
bringing death first to military facilities and then to the
civilian population. Amidst the surrounding ravages of death
at home and overseas, a young pitcher named Babe Ruth rallied
the sport’s most dominant team, the Boston Red Sox,
to a World Series victory.
During the month of September, the flu became rampant. Naval
personnel became ill less than ten days after the first influenza
cases appeared on the receiving ship. Camp Devens served as
a training camp for the 76th National Army Division. The camp
was overwhelmed as the influenza attacked approximately 10,000
soldiers. The deadly virus symptoms included severe headache,
weakness, general malaise and pains of varying severity in
the muscles and joints, especially in the back. The author
put everything in perspective, “700,000 people were
killed from that epidemic, while last year 80,000 died from
the flu. In 1918 our population was only a fraction of the
size it is now.”
Overseas the American forces faced devastating attacks by
the Germans. Having to contend with the constant shelling,
they also dealt with the fumes from the shells that rendered
many sick, vomiting, and gasping. But worst of all were the
chemical weapons used against the allied forces. Men came
home with respiratory problems, loss of eyesight, and blistering
skin.
“I wrote about the veterans who became disfigured and
had emotional problems. The effects were horrendous and lifelong
for those who survived. It was horrible. For many it was confusing
and devastating because they did not understand how to handle
chemical weapons. This led the world to ban chemical weapons.”
Desjardin writes how the baseball team rosters were decimated
after America entered WWI. One-Third of all the players from
the previous season of 1917 was serving in the military. During
the 1918 World Series attendance was down and those spectators
that were in the stands gave an unenthusiastic response to
the Red Sox winning the World Series, possibly because everyone
was facing the stark reality of war. One such example written
about in the book was Cubs’ President Charlie Weeghman
who registered at the Boston draft board.
“I wanted to show how the war pervaded every aspect
of the American life. The government had issued a work or
fight edict, which caused the World Series to be played in
September instead of October. Every man in America between
the ages of 21 to 30 had three choices: enlist, register for
the draft, or get a job in a war related industry. The job
had to be connected to directly supporting the war effort.
Since all the games played were day games only those outside
of that age group had the time and money to buy tickets.”
Even more compelling was the anger at the obvious greed of
the players. While men were being sent overseas to fight,
those playing in the World Series, the Cubs versus the Red
Sox, argued about receiving the same share regardless of how
long they had played with the team during the season.
Desjardin explained, “There were bad feelings that these
perfectly healthy young men playing baseball were paid three,
four, and five times the average salary of most Americans,
while other young healthy men were dying or wounded in the
French trenches.”
Patriotism was at a high point. As Desjardin recounts, Karl
Muck, a conductor of the Boston Symphony was born in Germany
and became a Swiss citizen. Although he was willing to play
the “Star-Spangled Banner,” it was decided that
it would not be played. Theodore Roosevelt responded, “Any
man who refuses to play ‘Star-Spangled Banner’
in this time of national crisis should be forced to pack up
and return to the country he came from.” It was during
this time; the National Anthem became a symbol for supporting
veterans and those attempting to keep Americans safe.
This book is an interesting look how sports connected with
those fighting in the Great War. By intertwining stories,
Desjardin shows how September 1918 was an important moment
in history, weaving together politics, sports, and science.
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