World War II Chronicle

World War II Chronicle: September 24, 1942

Chris Carter

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Larry French allowed just one hit against the Philadelphia Phillies as the Brooklyn Dodgers won their 100th game of the year. Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Nick Etten knocked a single past Pee Wee Reese in the second inning, but Bill Burich hits into a double play in the next at-bat. French didn’t allow another hit for the rest of the game and didn’t walk anyone as he faced the minimum 27 batters. The knuckleballer’s 197th career win — the best performance of his lifetime — will in fact be his last.

French posted a 15-4 record and a 1.83 ERA for Brooklyn in 1942

French enlists in the Navy and is stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He works out with the Dodgers and hopes to be able to play ball when not on duty, but the Navy says no. After participating in the Normandy Invasion and Okinawa landings French decides to make a career out of the Navy. He is recalled for the Korean War, and retires in 1969.

Evening star. (Washington, D.C.), 24 September 1942. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1942-09-24/ed-1/

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