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Baseball provides a recreation which does not last over two hours or two hours and a half, and which can be got for very little cost. And, incidentally, I hope that night games can be extended because it gives an opportunity to the day shift to see a game occasionally.

As to the players themselves, I know you agree with me that individual players who are of active military or naval age should go, without question, into the services. Even if the actual quality of the teams is lowered by the greater use of older players, this will not dampen the popularity of the sport. Of course, if any individual has some particular aptitude in a trade or profession, he ought to serve the Government. That, however, is a matter which I know you can handle with complete justice.

Here is another way of looking at it—if 300 teams use 5,000 or 6,000 players, these players are a definite recreational asset to at least 20,000,000 of their fellow citizens—and that in my judgment is thoroughly worthwhile.

With every best wish,
Very sincerely yours,
Franklin D. Roosevelt

5. As president of the American League , an irate Ban Johnson struck out the mighty Babe Ruth .
Chicago , Ill., June 21, 1922
Mr. George H. Ruth
c/o Brunswick Hotel
Boston , Mass.

Dear Sir:
There is a period in the trend of affairs when forbearance ceases to be a virtue. In your struggling moments to regain your prestige in the ranks of your profession, much indulgence was shown you. This plainly you did not understand, and again have overreached the point of consideration and the hope of thoughts of those who tried to bring you into the line of usefulness and worthy endeavor.

I was keenly disappointed and amazed when I received Umpire Dinneen's report, recounting your shameful and abusive language to that official in the game at Cleveland last Monday.

Bill Dinneen was one of the greatest pitchers the game ever produced, and with common consent we hand to him today the just tribute. He is one of the cleanest and most honorable men baseball ever fostered.

The American League is a stern and unrelenting organization. It has a clear conception of its duty toward the public. Any departure from sportsmanship, fair play and decency will be sharply rebuked. Your conduct at Cleveland on Monday was reprehensible to a great degree—shocking to every American mother who permits her boy to go to a professional game.

The American League cares nothing for Ruth. The individual player means nothing to the organization. When he steps on the ballfield he is subject to our control and discipline. It is a leading question as to whether it is permissible to allow a man of your influence and breeding to continue in the game. The evidence is at hand that you have willfully betrayed two of the most enterprising and indulgent club owners in the game.