Their honesty and good intentions aside , however , it was their on - field exploits that made them lastingly heroic .
If baseball truly was America 's national pastime , such baseball players were ideal all - American heroes .
baseball players ' honesty and good intentions aside , however , it was their on - field exploits that made them lastingly heroic .
If baseball truly was America 's national pastime , such baseball players were ideal all - American heroes .