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Former MLB Star’s Recollections Of Baseball Super Fan General Douglas MacArthur
Hans Lobert became a friend of the famous military leader because he had so many great stories from his days playing big-league baseball
With a pipe firmly clenched in his teeth, General Douglas MacArthur looked every inch the part of the disciplined American military leader that he was. Although he spent 52 years serving in various and often high-ranking capacities of the armed forces, he somehow found time to also have interests. One of his biggest passions was baseball, and a former big-league star recalled the lengths the famous leader went to stay on top of the game.
The army was in MacArthur’s blood — literally. His father Arthur was a distinguished long-time Lieutenant General and Medal of Honor winner. Douglas was born in 1880, going on to attend military school and then West Point.
Joining the military formally in 1903, he went on to have a legendary career, serving in both World Wars. He became one of just five people to achieve the rank of a five-star general, won the medal of honor and was the General of the Army for the United States — gaining his greatest notoriety for his leadership and role played during World War II.
