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In starting a career league in 1939, how can I sim the enlistment/drafting of players into the military? The simplest method would be to give professional athletes a military service exemption, and just ignore the effects of WWII. Given that I'm a wargamer, this somehow doesn't seem kosher to me.

I thought about force-retiring some guys, but this would preclude returning them to their original teams at war's end, without jumping through a lot of hoops.

Remember, several big-time stars, including Ted Williams, Bob Feller and Hank Greenberg, lost valuable years of MLB time due to the war. There were hundreds of lesser-notables who also served in the ranks.

Personal note: for all the guff that Ted Williams received from the Boston media, this man did his duty in not one but two wars (WWII and Korea). This dedication, selflessness and sense of patriotism makes me admire his legacy all the more.

Your thoughts on this?

Why simulate it at all?  Like you said, more than a few greats risked their lives & sacrificed there careers for their country.  I would look at it as what could have been if they were not so rudely interrupted.
 
I am not trying to belittle what they did, I am just offering a different perspective....
 
 

ORIGINAL: GNDN

Why simulate it at all?  Like you said, more than a few greats risked their lives & sacrificed there careers for their country.  I would look at it as what could have been if they were not so rudely interrupted.

I am not trying to belittle what they did, I am just offering a different perspective....

Yes, I agree. This is why I will give President Roosevelt the ability to designate contracted ballplayers as "essential to maintaining morale at home and ensuring the integrity of our national pastime." Yeah, that will work as a rationale for me in my alternative baseball universe. PS This also may keep Ted Williams on the Brooklyn roster for a few more years, IF he accepts. [:)]