Authentic Thursday
Hank Greenberg, or Hammerin’ Hank, was one of the premier power hitters of his generation. He still holds the American League record for most RBIs in a season by a right-handed batter – 183 RBIs in 1937. From 1933-1937, Greenberg was part of the powerful infield known as the “Battalion of Death.” In 1934, with Greenberg at first, Charlie Gehringer at second, Marv Owen at third and Billy Rogell at shortstop, the quartet drove in 462 runs – a record that no other four men have surpassed since.
Greenberg was the first Jewish superstar in any American professional sport. He attracted national attention in 1934 when he refused to play baseball on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, even though the Tigers were in a tense pennant race. There is a number of other “firsts” associated with Greenberg. In 1930, he was the youngest player in the majors when he played in his first MLB game as a Tiger on September 14, 1930, but that was his only major league appearance until 1933. He was one of the few opposing players to publicly welcome Jackie Robinson.
Greenberg thought about retirement when the Tigers put him on waivers after the 1946 season. However, the $100,000 contract offered by the Pittsburg Pirates was too much to refuse. He accepted and became the first player to reach that plateau. At the end of the 1947 season, Greenberg did retire after playing in 1394 games with a lifetime batting average of .313. But he was not through with baseball. He eventually became general manager for the Cleveland Indians and later vice president and part owner of the Chicago White Sox. After he finally retired completely from baseball in 1963, he became an investor in Wall Street and made millions in the stock market.
Hank Greenberg was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1956 – the first Jewish player so honored, and his number 5 was retired by the Tigers on June 2, 1983. There is a bronze statue of Greenberg at Comerica Park commemorating his many accomplishments.
Hank Greenberg bat
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