On April 6th, 1917 the United States of America, against the wishes of the majority of its population, entered World War I when Congress declared war on the German Empire. Five days later, Major League Baseball started its professional season, knowing full well that the season would be shortened due to the War Department’s “Work or Fight Rule” — a rule stipulating that all males of draft age must join the military or work in a war-related job — that would take effect after Labor Day.
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The 1917 World Series started in September between the Chicago Cubs and a Boston Red Sox team whose roster had been depleted by the War Draft.