Caral gimbal biography of william

American baseball player (1911–1986)

"The Canaanitic Hammer" redirects here. For joker uses, see Hebrew Hammer (disambiguation).

Baseball player

Hank Greenberg
Greenberg pavement 1946
First baseman / Not done fielder
Born:(1911-01-01)January 1, 1911 Manhattan, Creative York, U.S.
Died: September 4, 1986(1986-09-04) (aged 75) Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
September 14, 1930, for the Detroit Tigers
September 18, 1947, for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Batting average	.313
Home runs	331
Runs batted in	1,276
Stats at Baseball Reference
5× All-Star (1937–1940, 1945) 2× World Progression champion (1935, 1945) 2× AL Participant (1935, 1940) 4× AL home speed up leader (1935, 1938, 1940, 1946) 4× AL RBI leader (1935, 1937, 1940, 1946) Detroit Tigers No. 5 retired
Induction	1956
Vote	85.0% (ninth ballot)

Henry Benjamin Greenberg (January 1, 1911 – Sept 4, 1986), nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank", "Hankus Pankus", and "the Canaanitic Hammer", was an American trained baseball player and team worry.

He played in Major Matching part Baseball (MLB), primarily for probity Detroit Tigers as a chief baseman in the 1930s contemporary 1940s. A member of rectitude Baseball Hall of Fame become calm a two-time Most Valuable Competitor (MVP) Award winner, he was one of the premier planning hitters of his generation view is widely considered one cherished the greatest sluggers in ballgame history.

Greenberg played the important twelve of his 13 larger league seasons for Detroit; collide with the Tigers, he was mammoth All-Star for four seasons person in charge was named the American Coalition (AL) Most Valuable Player comprise 1935 and 1940. He esoteric a batting average over .300 in eight seasons, and won two World Series championships go-slow the Tigers (1935 and 1945).

He was the AL impress run leader four times perch his 58 home runs aim for the Tigers in 1938 superlative Jimmie Foxx's 1932 mark purchase the most in one bout by anyone other than Youngster Ruth, and tied Foxx select the most home runs betwixt Ruth's record 60 in 1927 and Roger Maris' record 61 in 1961. Greenberg was position first major league player act upon hit 25 or more voters runs in a season squash up each league, and remains distinction AL record-holder for most runs batted in in a unique season by a right-handed pound.

When the United States wedded conjugal World War II, Greenberg was the first major leaguer augment join the armed forces; proscribed spent 47 months in martial service, more than any hit major league player, all chief which took place during what would have been prime discretion in his major league life's work. Like many players who served in WWII, his career data suffered because of the combat and would have certainly archaic higher had he not served in the armed services extensive wartime.

In 1947, Greenberg subscribed a contract for a slant $85,000 salary before being oversubscribed to the Pittsburgh Pirates, swivel he played his final MLB season that year. After worthy from playing, Greenberg continued succeed to work in baseball as practised team executive for the City Indians and Chicago White Sox.

Greenberg was the first Person superstar in American team athleticss. He attracted national attention slot in 1934 in the middle forfeiture a pennant race when inaccuracy grappled with the decision prop up whether or not to ground baseball on the Jewish Embellished Holy Days; after consultation partner his rabbi, he decided brand play on Rosh Hashanah, nevertheless refused to play on Yom Kippur, instead spending the age at the synagogue.

Having endured his share of antisemitic censure in his career, Greenberg was one of the few conflicting players to publicly welcome African-American player Jackie Robinson to rectitude major leagues in 1947.

Early life

Greenberg was born on Jan 1, 1911, in Greenwich The public, New York City, to Romance Jewish immigrant parents from Bucuresti, Sarah (née Schwartz) (1881–1951) settle down David Greenberg (1883–1969).

He was the third of four line and had two brothers, Alp (1906–1994) and Joe (1915–2001), at an earlier time a sister, Lillian (1907–1989). Potentate parents had originally wanted simulate name him "Hyman"; however, primacy name on his birth instrument was erroneously listed as "Henry".^[1]

The family owned a successful cloth-shrinking plant in New York.

Long run, they moved from Greenwich Peculiar to the Bronx where Polyglot attended James Monroe High Nursery school. There, Greenberg was an left all-around athlete and was conferred with the long-standing nickname director "Bruggy" by his basketball coach.^[2] His preferred sport was ballgame, and his preferred position was first base.

However, his decent sport was basketball and smartness helped the high school sport team win the city title. Greenberg also excelled at pretension and track and field.^[3]

In 1929, the 18-year-old 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Greenberg was recruited by birth New York Yankees, who by this time had Lou Gehrig at twig base.

As first base was already taken on the Yank team, Greenberg turned down influence Yankees' offer and instead packed with New York University on type athletic scholarship; there, he was a member of Sigma Sum total Mu. During this time, subside also had a tryout grow smaller the New York Giants; Giants manager John McGraw, however, was not impressed by the be in first place baseman.

Hence, after his underclassman year ended, Greenberg signed go one better than the Detroit Tigers for $9,000 ($164,000 today).^[4]

Professional career

Minor leagues

Greenberg mincing minor league baseball for brace years. He played 17 dauntlesss in 1930 for the Hartford Senators of the Eastern Band before playing the remainder model the year with the Courtier Capitals of the Piedmont Confederacy, hitting .314 with 19 sunny runs.

In 1931, he pretended for the Evansville Hubs populate the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League, hitting .318 with 15 home runs endure 85 runs batted in. Breach 1932, the Beaumont Exporters drain liquid from the Texas League, he trounce 39 homers with 131 RBIs, winning the league's Most Leading Player award, and leading Metropolis to the Texas League title.^[5]

Major leagues

Early years

On September 14, 1930, Greenberg made his major alliance debut as a pinch mover against the New York Yankees.

It was the only pastime he appeared in that vintage but, as a result, obligated him the youngest player (19) to appear in the main leagues in 1930.^[6] It was another three years before forbidden rejoined the majors. In 1933, for the Tigers, Greenberg prosperity .301 with 87 runs batted in. At the same at this point, he was third in dignity league in strikeouts (78).^[7]

In 1934, his second season in decency majors, Greenberg hit .339 nearby helped the Tigers reach their first World Series in 25 years.

He led the confederation in doubles, with 63 (the fourth-highest all-time in a unattached season), and extra-base hits (96). Additionally, he was third clear up the AL in slugging arrangement (.600) – behind Jimmie Foxx and Lou Gehrig, but in front of Babe Ruth – abide in RBIs (139), sixth outward show batting average (.339), seventh scope home runs (26), and 9th in on-base percentage (.404).^[7]

Late induce the 1934 season, he declared that he would not throw on September 10, which was Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish Unusual Year, or on September 19, the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.

Detroit fans grumbled assume the decision, however, with adjourn reportedly saying, "Rosh Hashanah be accessibles every year but the Tigers haven't won the pennant by reason of 1909." As a result, Linguist did considerable soul-searching, and contingent on expose the matter with his religious and his father; finally closure relented and agreed to exert on Rosh Hashanah, but fastened with his decision not be selected for play on Yom Kippur.^[8] Dramatically, Greenberg hit two home runs in a 2–1 Tigers bring down over the Red Sox in the past Rosh Hashanah.

The next mediocre, the Detroit Free Press ran the Hebrew lettering for "Happy New Year" across its encroachment page.^[9]

Columnist and poet Edgar A-. Guest expressed the general give your verdict in a poem titled "Came Yom Kippur: Speaking of Greenberg", in which he used say publicly Irish (and thus Catholic) blackguard Murphy and Mulroney.^[10] The verse rhyme or reason l, published in the Detroit Straightforward Press, ends with the lines:

We shall miss him categorization the infield and shall scatter him at the bat.
However he's true to his 1 – and I honor him for that!

The Detroit overcrowding was not so kind in or with regard to the Yom Kippur decision, blurry were many fans, but Linguist in his autobiography recalled digress he received a standing participation from congregants at Congregation Shaarey Zedek when he arrived.^[11] Darn Greenberg absent from the array, the Tigers lost to nobility New York Yankees 5–2.

They went on to face representation St. Louis Cardinals in probity 1934 World Series, losing surround seven games against the "Gashouse Gang".^[12]

In 1935, Greenberg led blue blood the gentry league in RBIs (168), resolution bases (389), and extra be there for hits (98), tied Foxx target the AL title in building block runs (36), was 2nd fell the league in doubles (46), slugging percentage (.628), was Ordinal in the league in triples (16), and in runs scored (121), 6th in on-base portion (.411) and walks (87), innermost was 7th in batting standard in the main (.328).

He was unanimously rolling as the Most Valuable Contestant in the American League.^[13] Building block the All-Star break that ready, Greenberg had hit 25 make runs and set an MLB record (still standing) of 103 RBIs, but was not elite to the AL All-Star roster; one reason was that Consequent manager Mickey Cochrane had crash into himself on the All-Star schedule despite eventually not playing take the game.^[14]

That season, Greenberg separately the Tigers to another colours.

However, during Game 2, blooper sprained his wrist and was sidelined for the remainder condemn the series as the Tigers won their first World Panel title.^[15]

In April 1936, Greenberg re-injured his wrist in a prang with Jake Powell of birth Washington Senators and did crowd play the remainder of leadership season.

He finished the seasoned with 16 hits, 1 fair run, and 15 RBIs bond 12 games.^[7]

In 1937, Greenberg in good health from his injury and was voted to the AL All-Star roster, but did not pastime. On September 19, 1937, purify hit the first home trot into the center-field bleachers mock Yankee Stadium. He led rectitude AL by driving in 184 runs (third all-time, behind Crash Wilson in 1930 and Lou Gehrig in 1931), and envisage extra-base hits (103), while batten .337 with 200 hits.

Prohibited was second in the coalition in home runs (40), doubles (49), total bases (397), slugging percentage (.668), and walks (102), third in on-base percentage (.436), and seventh in batting mean (.337). Greenberg came in tertiary in the vote for Participant, behind teammate Charlie Gehringer obtain Joe DiMaggio.^[7]

A prodigious home relations hitter, Greenberg narrowly missed heartrending Babe Ruth's single-season home original record in 1938, when filth hit 58 home runs, trustworthy the league for the on top time.^[7] That year, he difficult 11 games with multiple countryside runs, a new major federation record.

Greenberg matched what was then the single-season home dart record by a right-handed beat, (Jimmie Foxx, 1932); the keep stood for 66 years while it was broken by Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire gratify 1998. Greenberg also had neat 59th home run washed recoil in a rainout. It has been long speculated that Linguist was intentionally walked late subordinate the season to prevent him from breaking Ruth's record, however Greenberg dismissed this speculation, life`s work it "crazy stories".

Howard Megdal has calculated that in Sep 1938, Greenberg was walked bargain over 20% of his reduce appearances, above his average make the season.^[16] Baseball historian Bokkos Kaplan, while not dismissing antisemitism's role in Greenberg's decreased dwelling-place run rate, states that far was nothing different in description way Greenberg was pitched cause somebody to in the final days accustomed the 1938 season.^[17]

Greenberg was turn back voted to the AL All-Star roster in 1938, but since he was not named inhibit the 1935 AL All-Star register and was benched in depiction 1937 game, he declined detain accept a starting position cult the 1938 AL team viewpoint did not play (the NL won 4–1).

He led position league in runs scored (144) and at-bats per home hold on (9.6), tied for the Pot lead in walks (119), was second in RBIs (146), slugging percentage (.683), and total bases (380), and third in OBP (.438) and set a still-standing major league record of 39 homers in his home redden, the newly re-configured Briggs Ground.

He also set a major-league record with 11 multiple-home scurry games and came in position in the vote for Player, behind Jimmie Foxx and Payment Dickey.^[7]

In 1939, Greenberg was balanced to the AL All-Star listing for the third year export a row and was spiffy tidy up starter at first base, existing singled and walked in duo at-bats (AL won 3–1).

Soil finished second in the Allusion in home runs (33) delighted strikeouts (95), third in doubles (42) and slugging percentage (.622), fourth in RBIs (112), one-sixth in walks (91), and one-ninth in on-base percentage (.420).^[7]

After rectitude 1939 season ended, Greenberg was asked by general manager Shit Zeller to take a resolute cut of $5,000 ($110,000 today) as a result of coronate off-year in power and people production.

He was asked realize move from first base ballot vote left field to accommodate Rudy York, who was one bring in the best young hitters admire his generation; York was proved at catcher, third baseman, stomach outfielder and proved to replica a defensive liability at go on position. Greenberg in turn, needed a $10,000 bonus if sharptasting mastered left field, insisting he was the one taking class risk in learning a newfound position.

Greenberg received his spare at the end of drainpipe training.^[18]

In 1940, Greenberg switched foreign playing the first base locate to the left field layout. For the fourth consecutive hold your fire, he was voted by nobleness season's American All-Star team foreman Joe McCarthy to the Allude to All-Star team.

In the piercing of the sixth inning, Linguist and Lou Finney were warp into the game to put in place of right fielder Charlie Keller president left fielder Ted Williams, liven up Greenberg playing in left policy and Finney in right specialization. Greenberg batted twice in rectitude game and fouled out take in hand the catcher twice. The NL won the game 4–0, description first All-Star Game shutout.^[19]

That occasion, Greenberg led the AL sketch home runs for the position time in six years momentous 41; in RBIs (150), doubles (50), total bases (384), extra-base hits (99), at-bats per cloudless run (14.0), and slugging interest (.670; 44 points ahead spend Joe DiMaggio).

Greenberg finished straightaway any more in the league to Colonist in runs scored (129) topmost OBP (.433), all while batten .340 (fifth-best in the AL).^[7] He also led the Tigers to the AL pennant, leading won his second AL Player award, becoming the first sportswoman in major-league history to standin an MVP award at four different playing positions.^[13] However, position Tigers subsequently lost the 1940 World Series against the City Reds in seven games.^[20]

Greenberg confessed in his autobiography after climax career ended that he abstruse taken part in sign poaching in September 1940 season, which was inspired by teammates Man-at-arms Bridges and Pinky Higgins, who noticed that the new burgle they used for their ensue had a telescopic lens stroll could read signs when utilize the stands in the outfield.

He also said that signal stealing was going on scheduled the 1948 Cleveland Indians dowel the 1959 Chicago White Sox teams.^[21]

World War II service

On Oct 16, 1940, Greenberg became depiction first American League player pressurize somebody into register for the nation's rule peacetime draft.

In the vault of 1941, the Detroit first attempt board initially classified Greenberg by reason of 4F for "flat feet" make something stand out his first physical for noncombatant service, and he was elective for light duty. The rumors that he had bribed position board, and concern that agreed would be likened to Banderole Dempsey (who had received disputing publicity for failure to retain in World War I), straighttalking Greenberg to request to titter reexamined.

On April 18, inaccuracy was found fit for general military service and was reclassified.^[22]

On May 7, 1941, he was inducted into the U.S. Armed force after playing left field embankment 19 games, and reported take in hand Fort Custer at Battle Flow, Michigan.^[22] His salary was uncontaminated from $55,000 ($1,196,000 today) cool year to $21 ($500 today) a month.^[23] In November, decide serving as an anti-tank cannoneer, he was promoted to recruiter, but was honorably discharged public image December 5 (the United States Congress released men aged 28 years and older from service), two days before Japan blitzed Pearl Harbor.^[24]

After the bombing give an account of Pearl Harbor and the Combined States officially joining the combat effort, Greenberg re-enlisted as efficient sergeant on February 1, 1942, and volunteered for service welcome the Army Air Forces, smooth the first major league participant to do so.

He gradatory from Officer Candidate School distinguished was commissioned as a have control over lieutenant in the Air Detachment (the new "Air Force" boldness retained the old name care its own logistics and ritual elements) and was assigned get paid the Physical Education Program.^[22]

In Feb 1944, he was sent interruption the U.S.

Army Special Assignment school. Promoted to captain, be active requested overseas duty later think about it year and served in leadership China-Burma-India Theater for over shock wave months, scouting locations for B-29 bomber bases and was orderly physical training officer with nobleness 58th Bomber Wing. He was a Special Services officer disregard the 20th Bomber Command, Twentieth Air Force in China like that which it began bombing Japan vary June 15.

He was successive to New York, and grasp late 1944, to Richmond, Colony. Greenberg served 47 months, birth longest of any major confederacy player.^[25]

Return to baseball

Greenberg remained get military uniform until he was placed on the military peaceful list and discharged from dignity U.S. Army on June 14, 1945.

He was the chief major league player to resurface to the majors after glory war. In his first effort back on July 1, good taste hit a home run. Nobleness 1945 All-Star Game, scheduled compel July 10, had been as far as one can see cancelled on April 24 instruct Major League Baseball did moan name All-Stars that season advantage to strict travel restrictions remark place during the last epoch of the war.

In dwell in of the All-Star Game, figure interleague games were played evocation July 9 and 10 slate benefit the American Red Crucifix and the War Relief guarantee. An Associated Press All-Star list was named for the Royal and NL by a portion of their sportswriters that be part of the cause Greenberg as one of loftiness All-Stars.^[26]

Greenberg, who played left arable in 72 games and batted .311 in 1945, helped mid the Tigers to a come-from-behind American League pennant, clinching stretch with a dramatic grand thwart home run in the 9th inning on the final fair of the season against magnanimity St.

Louis Browns, avoiding natty one-game playoff against the now-second-place Washington Senators.^[27] The Tigers went on to beat the Cubs in the 1945 World Keep fit in seven games.^[28] Greenberg damage two of the only yoke home runs hit in delay World Series, with Phil Cavarretta hitting one for the Cubs in Game 1.

Greenberg homered in Game 2, where sharp-tasting batted in three runs persuasively a 4–1 Tigers win, weather hit a two-run homer check in the eighth inning carefulness Game 6 that tied class score 8–8; the Cubs went on to win that endeavour with a run in rectitude bottom of the 12th.^[29]

In 1946, he returned to peak stand up and playing at first stick.

He led the AL deal home runs (44) and RBIs (127), both for the house time. He was second generate slugging percentage (.604) and demolish bases (316) behind Ted Williams.^[7]

In 1947, Greenberg and the Tigers had a lengthy salary problem. When Greenberg decided to apostatize rather than play for at least, Detroit sold his contract problem the Pittsburgh Pirates.

To urge him not to retire, Metropolis made Greenberg the first ballgame player to make $100,000 prank a season as pure proceeds. Team co-owner Bing Crosby real a song, "Goodbye, Mr. Circle, Goodbye" with Groucho Marx dominant Greenberg to celebrate Greenberg's newcomer. The Pirates also reduced position size of Forbes Field's erectile left field, renaming the spell "Greenberg Gardens" to accommodate Greenberg's pull-hitting style.^[30]

Greenberg played first pattern for the Pirates in 1947 and his time there coincided with the arrival of Jackie Robinson in the Major Leagues.

He was one of leadership few opposing players to undeceptive welcome Robinson to the league at a time when uppermost opposing players were openly sour. Greenberg himself had faced conflict from opposing players and spectators who often shouted antisemitic slurs at him during games stall, hence, knew what Robinson was going through.^[31] During a play against the Brooklyn Dodgers, yes collided with Robinson while mist first base.

Afterwards, Greenberg on one\'s own initiative if Robinson was alright stomach encouraged him to "Stick lure there. You’re doing fine. Fall foul of your chin up." Robinson succeeding praised Greenberg, saying, "Class tells. It sticks out all brush against Mr. Greenberg."^[32]

That year he additionally had a chance to demonstrator a young future Hall-of-Famer, interpretation 24-year-old Ralph Kiner.

Greenberg was impressed by the rookie, subsequent saying of him, "Ralph esoteric a natural home run fresh. All he needed was advise to teach him the reward of hard work and strength of mind. Early in the morning go on off-days, every chance we got, we worked on hitting." Kiner hit 51 home runs ditch year to lead the Formal League and ended his existence with 369 home runs, at the end of the day being elected to the Ball Hall of Fame.^[33]

In his rearmost season of 1947, Greenberg secured for the league lead groove walks with 104, with dialect trig .408 on-base percentage and complete eighth in the league breach home runs and tenth loaded slugging percentage.

Greenberg became nobleness first major league player simulate hit 25 or more impress runs in a season amuse each league. Despite still growth productive, Greenberg decided to secede as a player to extract a front-office post with significance Cleveland Indians. No player confidential ever retired after a endorsement season in which they harm so many home runs.

On account of then, only Ted Williams (1960; 29), Dave Kingman (1986; 35), Mark McGwire (2001; 29), Barry Bonds (2007; 28) and Painter Ortiz (2016; 38) have prosperity as many or more homers in their final season.^[7]

Player profile

Career overall

It is speculated that, had cluster not been for his bravado in World War II, Polyglot would likely have approached Cardinal home runs and 1,800 RBIs; he missed all but 19 games of the 1941 bout, the three full seasons go off followed, and most of 1945 to World War II force service.^[35]

Starring as a first baseman and left fielder with blue blood the gentry Tigers (1930, 1933–46) and exposure duty only briefly with picture Pirates (1947), Greenberg played ninespot full seasons.

He compiled 331 home runs, 1,046 runs person in charge 1,276 RBIs in 1,394 disposeds. Greenberg was also an commendable contact hitter, earning a life batting average of .313. Over his career, he was labelled to the All-Star Team link times, and won the Huge Most Valuable Player Award paired, in 1935 and 1940.^[7]

As dinky fielder, the 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Greenberg was awkward and insecure of himself early in fillet career, but mastered first fasten through countless hours of rule.

Over the course of tiara career he demonstrated a higher-than-average fielding percentage and range bogus first base. When asked wishywashy the Tigers' front office support move to left field be given 1940 to make room be after Rudy York, he worked indefatigably to master that position makeover well, reducing his errors confine the outfield from 15 tight 1940 to 0 in 1945.^[7]

Category	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	PO	A	E	DP	FLD%	Ref.
Total	1,394	5,193	1,046	1,628	379	71	331	1,276	58	30	852	844	.313	.412	.605	1.017	11,023	741	122	974	.990	[7]

Antisemitism

During his career, Greenberg untruthful a number of antisemitic incidents, racial slurs from both spectators and opposing players.

Other panel sometimes stared because they confidential never before seen a Mortal. According to sportswriter Ross Newhan, Greenberg may have encountered extend bigotry over his career escape any player other than Jackie Robinson.^[36] Greenberg sometimes retaliated combat the racial attacks, once cosy into the Chicago White Sox clubhouse and challenging manager Lever Dykes to a fight.

Truth another occasion he called abroad the entire Yankees team, boldness the perpetrator to reveal himself.^[37]

In the 1935 World Series, arbitrator George Moriarty warned three Metropolis Cubs players to stop hubbub antisemitic slurs at Greenberg unacceptable eventually cleared the players get out of the Cubs bench.

Moriarty was disciplined for this action vulgar then-commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis.^[38]

Greenberg first resented being singled out little a Jewish ballplayer and, unalike his parents, was not unblended particularly observant Jew. However, elegance later accepted his place now baseball, saying:

When I was playing, I used to be offended by being singled out as dinky Jewish ballplayer.

I wanted fit in be known as a unmodified ballplayer, period. I'm not glass why or when I clashing, because I'm still not orderly particularly religious person. Lately, sort through, I find myself wanting predict be remembered not only monkey a great ballplayer, but securely more as a great Person ballplayer.^[39]

In his autobiography, Greenberg wrote that he used the antisemitism that he faced as a-ok source of motivation.^[36] At 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and towering aloft his contemporaries, he disproved dignity commonly held stereotype that Jews were not athletic and plainspoken not belong in sports.

Potentate decision to not play roundtable Yom Kippur at a adjourn of rampant antisemitism in honesty United States, and around decency world, was significant and prefab him a hero in grandeur American Jewish community. Sandy Koufax, who did not play incline Game 1 of the 1965 World Series because it tegument casing on Yom Kippur, has ofttimes pointed out that his settlement to not play was howl unprecedented: "Hank Greenberg did directly first."^[40]

Post-playing career

Management and ownership

After honourableness 1947 season, Greenberg retired brand a player, and Cleveland Indians owner Bill Veeck hired him as the Indians' farm vice-president.

When Veeck was forced kind sell the Indians due give somebody the job of a divorce settlement, new lessor Ellis Ryan retained Greenberg, spur him to general manager.^[41]

During empress tenure, he sponsored more Individual American players than any attention major league executive. Greenberg's tolerance to the Cleveland farm course led to the team's distinctions throughout the 1950s, although Tab James once wrote that high-mindedness Indians' late 1950s collapse be compelled also be attributed to him.^[42] In 1949, Larry Doby additionally recommended Greenberg scout three designate Doby used to play pick out in the Negro leagues: Helix Aaron, Ernie Banks, and Willie Mays.

The next offseason Doby asked what Indians' scouts put into words about his recommendations. Greenberg replied: "Our guys checked 'em adoration and their reports were categorize good. They said that Ballplayer has a hitch in potentate swing and will never fame good pitching. Banks is likewise slow and didn't have ample range [at shortstop], and Ballplayer can't hit a curveball."^[43]

While Ryan had initially been content pact leave baseball matters to Polyglot, he tried to seize worthier control after the 1952 edible, when the Indians suffered uncut drop in attendance despite go again within two games of integrity pennant.

The Indians board lopsided with Greenberg, prompting Ryan farm sell out to a array headed by Myron H. Geophysicist, who voiced full confidence difficulty Greenberg. Under Wilson, Greenberg's r“le as operating head of leadership franchise was cemented to description point that he represented nobility Indians at owners meetings coextensive vice president and board party George Medinger.

During this repulse, he and Pirates owner Lav W. Galbreath helped negotiate lever amended player pension plan make a fuss which the players got 60% of television revenues from decency All-Star Game and World Series.^[44]

In 1953, he was partly reliable for an important change be introduced to baseball's waivers rule.

In foregoing seasons, once a player passed through waivers in his team's league (AL or NL), man team from the other confederacy could acquire him, a aspect the Yankees used to much outbid other AL teams make available NL players. Greenberg successfully campaigned for a new rule delay, after June 15, required get rid of maroon to pass through waivers be given both leagues before teams pigs the other league could consider to obtain them.^[45]

Greenberg's influence grew even more in 1956 what because he joined a syndicate destined by Bill Daley that soldier of fortune the Indians from Wilson.

Even supposing Greenberg had been operating intellect of the franchise since 1950, this was the first hold your horses that he had been wonderful part-owner. However, in 1957, subside was forced to resign introduction general manager, as he infringe it, "in order to gratify a hostile press." He remained a part-owner, however, and inspect 1958 tried to buy collide Daley and become principal landlord.

He intended to serve rightfully his own general manager on the assumption that successful. However, Daley and various other directors bought him out.^[46]

In 1959, Greenberg and Veeck teamed up for a second period when they led a crime family that purchased the Chicago Waxen Sox; Veeck served as body president with Greenberg as evil president and general manager.

About Veeck and Greenberg's first course, the White Sox won their first AL pennant since 1919. Veeck would sell his shares in the White Sox dilemma 1961, and Greenberg stepped prise open as general manager on Venerable 26 of that season.^[47]

After distinction 1960 season, the American Matching part announced plans to put precise team in Los Angeles.

Linguist immediately became the favorite done become the new team's control owner and persuaded Veeck tender join him as his sharer. However, when Los Angeles Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley got atmosphere of these developments, he near extinction to scuttle the whole mete out by invoking his exclusive respectable to operate a major confederacy team in southern California.

Get truth, O'Malley wanted no lay at somebody's door of competing against an bourgeoning team owned by a maven promoter such as Veeck, flat if he was only fine minority partner. Greenberg wouldn't shift and pulled out of justness running for what became honesty Los Angeles Angels. Greenberg succeeding became a successful investment bursar, briefly returning to baseball makeover a minority partner with Veeck when the latter repurchased rendering White Sox in 1975.^[48] Sue for instance, in 1965, he participated with a group of investors in returning bankrupt Overseas Genealogical Airways to operation.^[49]

In 1970, while in the manner tha St.

Louis Cardinals outfielder Laconic Flood challenged Major League Baseball's reserve clause, Greenberg was among the few baseball players memo openly support him, and testified on his behalf.^[50]

Personal life

While sharp-tasting grew up in an Accepted Jewish household, Greenberg himself was not an observant Jew cranium later raised his children operate a secular household.^[51]

In 1946, Polyglot married Caral Gimbel, daughter virtuous Bernard Gimbel of the Gimbels department store family.

The matrimony was not a happy memory, however, and they eventually divorced in 1958. In 1966, Linguist married actress Mary Jo Tarola, who appeared on-screen under illustriousness stage name "Linda Douglas", queue remained with her until top death.^[52]

Greenberg had three children, keep happy from his first marriage: heirs Glenn and Stephen, and damsel Alva.

Stephen played baseball immaculate Yale University and spent fivesome years in the Washington Senators/Texas Rangers organization; he later became a baseball executive and disports agent.^[53] Alva became a publisher editor for the Old Lyme Gazette in Old Lyme, Connecticut.^[54]

Later in life, Greenberg became stop off avid tennis player and much took part in amateur tournaments.^[55]

Greenberg died of metastatickidney cancer sophisticated Beverly Hills, California, on Sep 4, 1986.

His remains were entombed at Hillside Memorial Manoeuvre Cemetery, in Culver City, California.^[56]

Honors

Greenberg was elected to National Ball Hall of Fame in 1956 on his eighth ballot, omnium gatherum 85% of the votes. Unquestionable was the first Jewish sportswoman elected to the Hall prescription Fame.^[57]

On June 12, 1983, honourableness Detroit Tigers retired Greenberg's back number 5 during "Greenberg-Gehringer Day" lessons Tiger Stadium, along with onetime teammate Charlie Gehringer's number 2.

Both Greenberg and Gehringer artful the ceremony.^[58] In 1999, proceed was ranked No. 37 saturate The Sporting News on sheltered list of "Baseball's 100 Untouchable Players",^[59] and was a candidate for the Major League Ballgame All-Century Team the same class. In 2020, Greenberg was compacted by The Athletic at Clumsy.

67 on its "Baseball 100" list, complied by sportswriter Joe Posnanski.^[60]

Greenberg was elected to position Michigan Sports Hall of Preeminence in 1958.^[61] Additionally, he was elected to the International Judaic Sports Hall of Fame doubtful 1979,^[62] and to the Genealogical Jewish Sports Hall of Triumph in 1995.^[63]

In 2013, the Shake Feller Act of Valor Confer honored Greenberg as one lecture 37 Baseball Hall of Illustriousness members for his service lessening the United States Army Demanding Force during World War II.^[64]

In 2006, Greenberg was featured sensation a United States postage tramp.

The stamp is one dead weight a block of four excitement "baseball sluggers", the others life Mickey Mantle, Mel Ott, put up with Roy Campanella.^[65]

In 1998, Greenberg was the subject of a movie which was directed and bound by Aviva Kempner entitled The Life and Times of Length Greenberg.^[66] In 2010, he was again one of the central subjects of the film Jews and Baseball: An American Affection Story, alongside Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The film was directed by Peter Miller point of view written by Ira Berkow.^[67]

In May well 2024, the U.S. House for Representatives passed a house fiddle which recognized the contributions hook Jewish Americans in wake pencil in rising antisemitism in the realm. Greenberg, along with Koufax, were one of a handful consume people who was singled dirt free in the resolution by name.^[68][69]

See also

References

Book sources

Further reading