“Through the Smoke Screen” (December 10, 1941)
by William “Bill” Crawford (1913-1982)
19 x 22 in., ink and crayon on Glarco Illustration Board
Coppola Collection

Pencil titled along the top edge “Through the Smoke Screen”, and signed by Bill Crawford at lower right corner. Text along the bottom edge reads “Baseball Meetings”. Approx. 16″ x 22″.

A frequent contributor to the sport’s page, Crawford’s editorial cartoons often mixed the effect of WWII on professional sports issues.

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, triggered a serious discussion as to whether or not the MLB season should be canceled. This question was the main topic of discussion at the annual winter baseball meetings held in Chicago on December 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor. On January 14, 1942, MLB Commissioner Kenesaw Landis wrote President Franklin D. Roosevelt, asking his advice about the correct course of action.

On January 15, 1942, Roosevelt responded to Commissioner Landis with what has become known as the famous “Green Light Letter.” The President wrote, “I honestly feel that it would be best for the country to keep baseball going.” He did make it clear that this was his opinion and not an official point of view.

More than 500 major league baseball players served in the military during World War II. Some of these players were drafted, others enlisted voluntarily; some saw combat, some didn’t.