[8] Lindell returned to the major leagues in 1942 as a relief pitcher but, Yankees manager Joe McCarthy thought that his low strikeout totals indicated that his fast ball had lost its velocity.

[9] He hit well enough to win the starting right fielder's position and, had a batting average above the .300 mark in early June to earn a place as a reserve player for the American League team in the 1943 All-Star Game.

[14] With the series tied at one game apiece and the Yankees trailing by a score of 2–1, Lindell hit a single to lead off the eighth inning and, reached second base when center fielder Harry Walker mishandled the ball.

Sanders' throw reached third baseman Whitey Kurowski in time as Lindell made a head-first slide.

[15] The play at third base was considered a turning point in the series as the Yankees went on to win the next two games and won the world championship.

[20] With outfielders Joe DiMaggio, Tommy Henrich and Charlie Keller returning to the Yankees from military service after the Second World War, Lindell slipped into the role of a utility player.

During spring training in 1949, Lindell developed a knuckleball and new Yankees manager Casey Stengel experimented with using him as a relief pitcher.

[23][24][25] The Yankees went on to win the final game to clinch the American League pennant then defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1949 World Series.

[31] Lindell returned to the major leagues in 1953 at the age of 36 as a knuckleball pitcher, playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates, before being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in August 1953.