Monday, July 1, 1918

Johnnie Evers predicts that baseball will become a “universal sport” after the world war, thanks to the influence of American soldiers and experts like himself.

Evers is Troy’s greatest sports hero, a three-time World Series champion with the Chicago Cubs and Boston Braves. Apparently finished with Major League Baseball, Evers has been hired by the Knights of Columbus as an overseas athletic director, tasked with teaching baseball to American troops in Europe.

The Record reports today that “Rumors have been flying about Troy to the effect that Johnnie Evers has been notified that he isn’t to make the trip abroad.” Sports editor Martin McDonough refutes the rumors.

“To the contrary, he says he has received word about his future plans. He believes he will be called upon to report at a port of embarkation within a very short time,” McDonough writes, citing an interview Evers gave recently to Walter St. Denis of the New York Globe.

“After this war is over there are going to be thousands upon thousands of Americans on the other side [of the Atlantic] to help in the reconstruction of the devastated country,” Evers said, “And there being so many there, they will naturally apply themselves to their own national sport – baseball. And from that indulgence will come the formation of regular leagues, leagues which will be organized along the lines that our National and American leagues are formed to-day.

“For a long time Americans are going to make some foreign country their home. Their children will grow up playing the game just as little American kids take to it now. Baseball is sure to become a universal sport and I’m mighty glad of the opportunity that is afforded me to lay the foundation of that big structure.

“I look for the day to come when the world’s series will be between possibly an American team and one from England, France or Italy. From what I understand, our allies are taking to the game and in many instances they have shown an aptitude for it that bespeaks coming greatness.”

The Record reports that Evers may take Troy High baseball coach Dan McGrath with him as an assistant. “McGrath is an all-around athlete and knows how to tell the boys to play them,” a sportswriter notes, “His work at the Troy High school is all the diploma he needs.”

Evers “can hardly wait to get to work over there,” the closer to the front lines the better. “It must be thrilling to watch a game – and to play a game – while the shells are bursting all around you,” he says.

-- Kevin Gilbert