Sports
Hank Greenberg
1911–1986 · baseball first baseman, team executive
Hall of Fame slugger and two-time American League MVP who spent twelve of his thirteen major league seasons with the Tigers and led Detroit to two World Series titles.
- Born
New York City, New York- Died
Beverly Hills, California
aged 75- Birth name
- Henry Benjamin Greenberg
- Also known as
- Hammerin' Hank · the Hebrew Hammer
- Detroit years
- 1930, 1933–1946
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Greenberg signed with the Tigers for $9,000 out of college and broke into the majors in the early 1930s, quickly becoming one of the era's most feared power hitters. In 1934, with Detroit chasing its first pennant in 25 years, he faced a public dilemma over whether to play on the Jewish High Holy Days; he chose to play on Rosh Hashanah, homering twice, but sat out Yom Kippur, a decision that made him a hero to Detroit's Jewish community even as some fans and the press criticized him. He won AL MVP awards in 1935 and 1940, becoming the first player to win the honor at two different positions, and in 1938 hit 58 home runs, still a Tigers single-season record. After 47 months of wartime military service, the longest of any major leaguer, he returned in 1945 to hit a pennant-clinching grand slam on the season's final day and help Detroit win the World Series. The Tigers retired his number 5 in 1983 and placed his statue at Comerica Park.
Highlights
- American League MVP in 1935 and 1940, the first player to win it at two positions
- Hit 58 home runs in 1938, still a Tigers single-season record
- World Series champion with Detroit in 1935 and 1945
- Served 47 months in the military during World War II, longer than any other major leaguer
- Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1956; number 5 retired in 1983
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 3
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Played here · 1930, 1933–1946
Tiger Stadium
Demolished · 1912–1999
His home ballpark for his entire Tigers career, including the 39 home runs he hit there in 1938; demolished in 2008–2009.
Related place · 1934
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
Closed · 1932–1962
The Albert Kahn-designed synagogue where Greenberg received a standing ovation from congregants after sitting out Yom Kippur in 1934; the congregation moved to Southfield in 1962 and the building now houses another congregation.
Memorial · 2000–
Comerica Park
One of the six Tigers greats honored with a statue on the outfield concourse.