Historic Handshake: General Wood & Yankees Star, 1917

This photograph captures a moment from April 11, 1917, at the Polo Grounds in New York, featuring General Leonard Wood shaking hands with a New York Yankees player. Onlookers can see Yankees Manager Bill Donovan standing to the right, highlighting the crossover between military and sports culture during this era. At a time when the United States was on the brink of entering World War I, this handshake symbolizes a moment of unity, showcasing how national pride and support for the troops extended into public celebrations like baseball games.

Taken by the Bain News Service, this image serves as a historical record of a pivotal period in American history. The connection between military leadership and popular sports figures reveals how pervasive the desire for morale and camaraderie was during wartime. This moment exemplifies the interplay between sports and society in early 20th-century America, reflecting the importance of baseball as a beloved pastime tied to national identity.