Hank Greenberg timeline

[tycobb420]

Born: January 1, 1911

1929: Turned down Yankees because they had Lou Gehrig. He attended New York University instead.

1930: Signed by Detroit Tigers

Debut: September 14, 1930 (Tigers)

1930-2: Minor Leagues

1933: Rejoined the Tigers

1934: A rabbi convinced Greenberg to play on Rosh Hashanah, but he refused to play on Yom Kippur.

1934: Tigers lost World Series

1935: AL MVP

1935: 103 RBI at All Star Break (still the record)

1935: Tigers win World Series

1936: Broke his wrist

1937: Hit first homer to Yankee Stadium bleachers

1937: 183 RBI

1938: Challenged Babe Ruth. Finished with 58 home runs & set the non-steroid record of 11 multi-homer games.

1940: Switched to outfield & Won MVP

1940: Tigers lose World Series

1940: Drafted

1941: Released from military, re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor

1941-45: World War II

1945: Returns from war, hits pennant winning 9th inning grand slam

1945: Tigers win World Series

1947: Traded to Pirates after salary dispute with Tigers

1947: One of the few players to embrace Jackie Robinson

1947: Retired & moved to Indians? front office

1956: First Jewish player in Hall of Fame

1959: Joined Bill Veeck and bought White Sox

1959: Sox win pennant

1961: Greenberg stepped down as Sox GM

After baseball, he became an investment banker.

1975: Rejoined Veeck & became minority owner of Sox again

1983: Tigers retired his #5

1986: Died

1999: All Century Team finalist

Accomplishments:

2x World Champion

2x AL MVP

5x All Star

.313 Average

Hit .300: 7x

1051 runs

100 runs: 6x

Led league 144 runs (1938)

1628 hits

200+ hits: 3x

30+ doubles: 6x

40+ doubles: 5x

50+ doubles: 2x

63 doubles (led league): 1934

Led league in doubles: 2x

10+ triples: 2x

331 home runs

Led league in HR: 4x

30+ HR: 6x

40+ HR: 5x

58 HR (1938)

1276 RBI

Led league in RBI: 4x

100+ RBI: 7x

150+ RBI: 3x

183 RBI (1937)

852 walks-844 strikeouts

Led league in walks: 2x

100+ Walks: 3x

.412 OBP

.400+ OBP: 7x

.605 slugging

.600+ slugging: 7x

Led league .670 slugging (1940)

1.017 OPS

1.000+ OPS: 6x

Led league 1.103 OPS (1940)

3142 total bases

300+ TB: 7x

Led league in TB: 2x

Postseason: .318, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 1.044 OPS (4 World Series)

 

[John Rosengren]

Correction

In researching Greenberg's career and life, I was particularly interested in how he arrived at the decision on whether or not to play on the High Holy Days in 1934. Despite the information circulated on the Internet, I could find no evidence that Greenberg consulted a rabbi about the decision. After he played the game on Rosh Hashanah when he famously hit two home runs to beat the Red Sox, a reporter showed him the copy of Rabbi Franklin's statement. Rabbi Thurmin had commented on Hank's decision AFTER he had decided to play and a newspaper reporter asked him to make a statement. Regarding Yom Kippur that year, there was far less pressure on Hank to play, since the Tigers pretty much had the pennant in hand, and Hank sat out the game as he had done the previous year.

John Rosengren
author of "Hank Greenberg: The Hero of Heroes"

 

[kalinecountry]

In researching Greenberg's career and life, I was particularly interested in how he arrived at the decision on whether or not to play on the High Holy Days in 1934. Despite the information circulated on the Internet, I could find no evidence that Greenberg consulted a rabbi about the decision. After he played the game on Rosh Hashanah when he famously hit two home runs to beat the Red Sox, a reporter showed him the copy of Rabbi Franklin's statement. Rabbi Thurmin had commented on Hank's decision AFTER he had decided to play and a newspaper reporter asked him to make a statement. Regarding Yom Kippur that year, there was far less pressure on Hank to play, since the Tigers pretty much had the pennant in hand, and Hank sat out the game as he had done the previous year.

John Rosengren
author of "Hank Greenberg: The Hero of Heroes"

Welcome to the DetroitSportsForum, John.
Thankyou for your post regarding one of the greatest Tigers all-time Hank Greenberg.
http://www.amazon.com/Hank-Greenberg-The-Hero-Heroes/dp/0451235762
http://www.amazon.com/Hank-Greenberg-Hero-Heroes-ebook/dp/B008ON41D2
http://www.amazon.com/John-Rosengren/e/B001JS36DU/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Look forward to reading.

 

[Thumb]

I'll be picking up a copy of this book when it's available as well. Still have some money left on a Barns and Noble gift card.

 

[tycobb420]

In researching Greenberg's career and life, I was particularly interested in how he arrived at the decision on whether or not to play on the High Holy Days in 1934. Despite the information circulated on the Internet, I could find no evidence that Greenberg consulted a rabbi about the decision. After he played the game on Rosh Hashanah when he famously hit two home runs to beat the Red Sox, a reporter showed him the copy of Rabbi Franklin's statement. Rabbi Thurmin had commented on Hank's decision AFTER he had decided to play and a newspaper reporter asked him to make a statement. Regarding Yom Kippur that year, there was far less pressure on Hank to play, since the Tigers pretty much had the pennant in hand, and Hank sat out the game as he had done the previous year.

John Rosengren
author of "Hank Greenberg: The Hero of Heroes"

That is interesting. I have seen a couple of documentaries that stated the rabbi came up with the out for Greenberg ahead of time. That story must go back to 1934.