By: Matt Alberston, Historical Columnist 
In recent years, it has been uncommon for a professional athlete to sign up for military service or serve in an active war zone. Surely, former Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman comes to mind as the largest exception. However, prior to 1975, it was not completely abnormal to find a professional athlete serving in the military during a time of war. For a few of these individuals, this service did not come without risks. In total, 12 major leaguers lost their lives serving in the armed forces. The first death occurred in 1898 and the last in 1952. Every year, on the last Monday in May, we remember their sacrifice, along with the countless other men and women who lost their lives while serving in the United States armed forces. This Memorial Day, Sports Talk Philly remembers the lone Phillie who died while serving his country: Eddie Grant.
Eddie Grant looks at the camera while with the Phillies in 1908. (Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division)
Eddie Grant was a Franklin, MA native who played in the major leagues from 1905 to 1915. He was a journeyman third baseman who spent more time with the Phillies than any other team (1907-1910). Grant was a unique player for the simple fact that he was college educated; he graduated from Harvard College in 1905 and spent the next three offseasons working toward a law degree from Harvard's prestigious law school.
After a stellar 1906 season with Jersey City of the Eastern League, he signed with the Phillies for the 1907 season where he split time with Ernie Courtney at third base. He took over as the full-time third baseman in 1908 where he led the league in at-bats (598) and compiled a slash line of .244/.289/.293.
That offseason, Grant earned his law degree from Harvard and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar. According to SABR biographer Tom Simon, Grant practiced law in Boston during the winter and played major league baseball during the summer.
The highlight of Grant's Phillies career was in 1909 when he strung together seven consecutive hits during a double-header against the New York Giants. Grant managed to go 5-for-5 against the Giants ace Christy Matthewson in the first game and tallied two more consecutive hits against Rube Marquard. Both pitchers are enshrined in the Hall of Fame. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in a multi-player deal following the 1910 season. All told, Grant's slash line as a Phillie was .258/.301/.304.
Grant completed his career with the New York Giants in 1915. During his 10 year career, he was .249/.300/.295 and played in the 1913 World Series with the Giants as a bench player. At the age of 32, he decided to commit himself to his legal career until the United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917. Soon thereafter, Grant enlisted in the Army, becoming the first active or former major leaguer to do so during World War I. He was commissioned a Captain of Company H of the 307th Infantry Regiment.
The 307th Regiment was sent to the Meuse-Argonne region of France for what would be the final American offensive of the Great War. Their mission: to connect with and relieve Major Whittelsey's infamous "Lost Battalion". The 307th began their attack through the Argonne forest on October 2, 1918. By October 5, Grant – likely like many others – was sleep deprived and exhausted, having been awake since the offensive commenced. Grant's battalion assumed several casualties during the previous three days of fighting. As such, Captain Grant was the highest ranking officer not injured in the fighting, assumed command of the battalion. Again according to biographer Tom Simon, two artillery shells took out two of Grant's lieutenants soon thereafter. While calling for medical attention, Grant was also struck by a German shell, which killed him instantly. The Great War ended on November 11, 1918 – 37 days after Captain Eddie Grant was killed in action in the Argonne forest.
On Memorial Day 1921, the Giants played host to the visiting Phillies. A large monument honoring Grant, adorned with a 100 pound metal plaque, was unveiled in deep center field, approximately 483 feet from home plate. (The Phillies lost both games, by the way). A wreath was placed on the monument during or close to each subsequent Memorial Day until the Giants left New York for San Francisco. The plaque was stolen when fans stormed the field after the final Giants game at the Polo Grounds and it went missing until 1998, when it was found in the attic of a New Jersey home.
Both Eddie Grant and the Great War have faded far from public memory. Their importance and significance is seemingly buried in dusty books filled with yellowed, brittle pages. Grant wasn't the most talented player who played on a major league diamond, but his untimely end and patriotism resonated with baseball fans and the nation alike for over 30 years. So whether you go to the ball park today, listen to the game on the radio, or simply relax and enjoy the day off, be sure to remember those who, like Eddie Grant, sacrificed their lives for their country.
"Far from the Game and the cheering of old,
Across in the Argonne will tell you the story,
Where each one may read on its rain-battered mould
A final box score that is written in glory.
A final box score of a Player who gave
The flag that he fought for, his ghost—and his grave."
– Grantland Rice
*Grant was not the only Philadelphia player who died serving while serving in the military. Former Philadelphia Athletic Harry O'Neill (1939), a native of Darby, was killed in action on Iwo Jima during World War II. He is buried in Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill, Pa.
