Hank Greenberg
A fearsome slugger for the Detroit Tigers who became an American symbol of strength and pride for Jewish people, famously refusing to play on Yom Kippur during a pennant race.
1911–1986 (age 75)·American baseball player·Birthday: January 1·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Hank Greenberg stood as a titan in 1930s baseball, both in physical stature and cultural impact. At a time of widespread antisemitism, his sheer dominance at the plate for the Detroit Tigers—where he led the league in home runs and RBIs multiple times—forced the sporting world to respect him. His principled decision to sit out a critical game on Yom Kippur in 1934 resonated far beyond baseball, making him a hero to American Jews. After losing nearly four prime years to World War II service, he returned to immediately lead the Tigers to a World Series title in 1945, hitting a grand slam in the final game. Post-playing career, as a front-office executive, he was instrumental in integrating the American League by supporting Larry Doby. Greenberg's legacy is that of a barrier-breaking power hitter whose strength of character matched his strength of swing.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Hank was born in 1911, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Hank Was Born
The biggest hits of 1911
Hank's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1911Born
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire kills 146 in New York
President: William Howard Taft
1916Started school
The Battle of the Somme claims over a million casualties
President: Woodrow Wilson
1924Became a teenager
First Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France
President: Calvin Coolidge"It Had to Be You" — Isham Jones
1927Could drive
Lindbergh flies solo across the Atlantic; The Jazz Singer premieres
President: Calvin Coolidge"My Blue Heaven" — Gene Austin
1929Could vote
Wall Street crashes, triggering the Great Depression
Gas: $0.21/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Singin' in the Rain" — Cliff EdwardsBest Picture: The Broadway Melody
1932Turned 21
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1941Turned 30
Pearl Harbor attack brings the US into WWII
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,060Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Chattanooga Choo Choo" — Glenn MillerBest Picture: How Green Was My Valley
1951Turned 40
First color TV broadcast in the US
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Too Young" — Nat King ColeBest Picture: An American in Paris
1961Turned 50
Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,500Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Tossin' and Turnin'" — Bobby LewisBest Picture: West Side Story
1971Turned 60
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1981Turned 70
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Died at 75
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
Key Achievements
- Won the American League Most Valuable Player award twice, in 1935 and 1940.
- Drove in 183 runs in 1937, the third-highest single-season total in MLB history and the most by any right-handed hitter.
- Led the Detroit Tigers to World Series championships in 1935 and 1945, the latter coming immediately after his return from military service.
- Finished his career with 331 home runs despite losing over four full seasons to military service during World War II.
Did You Know?
He was the first major league player to enlist in the armed forces after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Greenberg was the first Jewish player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, inducted in 1956.
In 1938, he finished the season with 58 home runs, narrowly missing Babe Ruth's then-record of 60.
After his playing career, he served as the General Manager of the Cleveland Indians and later part-owner of the Chicago White Sox.
“I came to feel that if I, as a Jew, hit a home run, I was hitting one against Hitler.”
