Greenberg, Hank

Greenberg, Hank

 orig. Henry Benjamin Greenberg

(born Jan.1, 1911, New York, N.Y., U.S.—died Sept. 4, 1986, Beverly Hills, Calif.) U.S. baseball player. Greenberg began his professional career at first base with the Detroit Tigers in 1933. He twice helped the Tigers win the World Series (1935, 1940) and was named the American League's Most Valuable Player both years. In 1938 he hit 58 home runs (2 home runs short of Babe Ruth's then-record). He often encountered prejudice on the field, but his refusal to play on Jewish holidays won him praise. He served four years in the military in World War II then returned to the Tigers; traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1947, he retired in 1948. He was part owner and general manager of the Cleveland Indians until 1957 and general manager of the Chicago White Sox from 1959 to 1963. The first Jewish star player in the major leagues, Greenberg was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1956.

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Greenberg, (Henry Benjamin) Hank (1911–86) baseball player; born in New York City. During his 13-year career as a first baseman for the Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates (1930–47), he hit 331 homeruns and twice won the league Most Valuable Player award (1935, 1940). In 1938 his 58 homeruns nearly eclipsed Babe Ruth's single season record of 60. As one of the first major leaguers to enlist in the military during World War II, Greenberg lost almost four full seasons of playing time (1941–45). Upon his retirement, he served as general manager of the Cleveland Indians (1948–57), and vice-president of the Chicago White Sox (1959–63). He was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1956.