Hank Gowdy became a prominent Major League Baseball player in 1914 as a member of the miracle Boston Braves. That team came back from an amazing 15 game deficit to the New York Yankees and came back to win the pennant. They would finish with an amazing 25 – 6 record an they then swept the heavily favored Philadelphia A’s in the World Series. But 3 years later, Gowdy became even more prominent as a result of World War 1.

It was on this day, June 1st, 1917, that Hank Gowdy became the first major league player to enlist for World War 1.  During the war, Gowdy would be a part of battles in France with the 166th Infantry Regiment of the Ohio National Guard.  Two years later, after serving his country, Gowdy returned to play catcher for the Boston Braves.

In recent times, Pat Tillman was the most prominent major league athlete to give up professional Sports to enlist in war.  Tillman tragically died in friendly fire combat on April 22nd, 2004.  Any athlete who forgoes the fame, money, and comfort that comes with being a pro sports athlete to fight in a war deserves recognition.  And we can thank Hank Gowdy for being the first brave major league baseball player to leave the game he loved to fight on behalf of his country.