As America goes, so does the game of baseball. The game reflects changes in America’s fabric, its culture and values that shape the Nation.
Wars have affected baseball. So has civil unrest. Pearl Harbor did. The events of September 11th 2001 certainly did. Presidential policies have as well.
Examples range from President Roosevelt’s “green light” letter to play the 1941 season to President Bush’s decision to throw out the opening pitch for Game 3 of the 2001 World Series at Yankee Stadium.
And then there’s 1968.
Before the baseball season even started, the Vietnam War turned from bad to worse.