Meet Al Epperly, the major league pitcher your history books conveniently overlooked. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1918, Epperly made his big-league debut for the Chicago Cubs in 1938. His promising career was soon interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the military from 1942 to 1945. Resuming his career in 1949, he played briefly for the Brooklyn Dodgers before retiring in 1950.
Now, why should America revisit his story? Al Epperly symbolizes resilience, dedication, and the seldom-discussed narrative of athletes' sacrifices during wartime. Let's not forget that war changes people in ways that often go unrecognized today. Epperly's stats might not leap off the pages, but his service record should stand as an enduring testimony to both his character and commitment. Naturally, this doesn't fit the liberal narrative of celebrating flashy careers over substance.
Let's flip tradition on its head and celebrate the quieter contributors to history. Here are ten reasons why Al Epperly deserves a spotlight.
War Hero: It's more than just stats, Al Epperly put his baseball career on hold to serve during World War II, putting patriotism above popularity. What does the mainstream media do? They can't even muster the courage to make his sacrifice widely known.
Underappreciated Talent: Not everyone gets to shine at Yankee Stadium. With a career ERA of 4.01, Epperly wasn't bad by any stretch. No flashiness, just competency and commitment. That's how you get things done.
A True Blue Collar Worker: Unlike today's multi-millionaires in sports, Epperly was a man of the people. He played for the love of the game. Talk about dedication!
The Forgotten Dodger: Remember when players actually did it for the home team? Epperly played for the Brooklyn Dodgers back when it meant something to be a Dodger. Hmm, how times have changed.
Strong Family Values: Raised in Middle America, Epperly exemplified the kind of wholesome values our country was built upon. That doesn’t trend on Twitter, does it?
Face of Change: Epperly played when baseball was evolving. While diversity was coming to the forefront, let's not forget it was players like him who lived in both worlds, managing change with grace.
Role Model for Young Athletes: In a time when the focus is too often on the scandals of big players, wouldn’t it be nice to have a hero with integrity?
Middle America's Own: Born and bred in Iowa, he embodies the Midwest's hardworking spirit, an often uncredited engine behind America's success.
Pioneering Dual Career: Post-baseball, like any pragmatic veteran, he didn’t rest on laurels. His pivot to other career paths shows that athletes can, in fact, make lasting, real-world contributions.
A Legacy to Remember: Epperly passed away in 2003, but his story should remind us that dignity and valor transcend time. Leave it to the broader culture to forget, but true history lives on with those who value the lessons behind the numbers.
Al Epperly, with an unassuming career, teaches timeless lessons drowning in today's cacophony of celeb worship and clickbait headlines. While liberals chase their idols of instant gratification, let's acknowledge the stories that truly matter.