Americans set aside Memorial Day to remember the sacrifices of current and past servicemen and women. The last Monday in May also kicks off the summer season. So here’s a small tribute on a beautiful day.

Sorry about the loud wind for a few seconds early on. We were fighting some tough ambient noise.

The 1912 Detroit Tigers team that Bun Troy played on was notable for a couple reasons. First, Troy was teammate to Ty Cobb–one of the greatest and nastiest ballplayers who ever lived. During a May game in Manhattan that year Cobb charged into the stands after a fan who had been taunting and insulting him all afternoon. Cobb beat the man–a political hack named Claude Lucker–mercilessly and was suspended. The Tigers players went on the first baseball strike to protest.

1912 was also the first season the team played in Tigers Stadium. On April 20 that year, Shoeless Joe Jackson of Cleveland became the first player to ever score a run in that stadium.

Baseball is a game of statistics, so here’s one for you. In total, five Major League Baseball players died in World War I.

Americans served alongside brave fighters from many countries during those World Wars. England, Canada, France, Russia, Australia and more sent some of their best citizens to challenge aggressions and defend freedom. We all remember in different ways but universally appreciate the willingness of someone to sacrifice their life for others.

I wrote this Memorial Day tribute last year to honor a few men who went above and beyond the call of duty in ways that are nearly impossible to grasp. Check out their stories and find some more from the folks around you. They’re pretty amazing.

I’d love to see some more great tributes so leave any such links you have written or found in the comments below.

Who do you know that’s served? Feel free to leave their name here today.