Veterans Day is a time to pause and take note of those who served the United States through military service. While uncommon now, in years past it was very common for professional athletes to join the ranks of the military before resuming their normal careers. Yogi Berra, Jerry Coleman, and Bobby Murcer are just a few of the notable names to pause their careers to serve their country. One Yankee whose military career stands out is Ralph Houk, who was a part of numerous World Series-winning teams as both a player and a manager.
After growing up in Lawrence, Kansas, Ralph Houk was signed by the Yankees in 1938 and began working his way up through the minor league system.