Following the 1941 season, Savage became ill and doctors determined that the weight loss and other symptoms he had experienced were related to diabetes.

He was unable to play baseball during the 1942 season and was granted 4-F status by his draft board due to his medical condition.

Based on his performance in the minors, with many full-timers called up for military duty and with Savage not subject to the draft, he was chosen to make the roster for the Yankees team for the 1944 season.

[1][2] Despite growing up "no more than a bus ride away from Yankee Stadium", Savage had never been to the team's home field before he made the 1944 roster.

[1][3] He had a strong start to his Yankees career, batting .333 in his first 15 games with the team, but a series of injuries led to a drop in performance and his spot at third base being taken over by Oscar Grimes.