Hank Greenberg
By:
Fred Haney, the manager of the St. Louis Browns, said, "Hank Greenberg puts more thought, effort and conscientiousness into his work than any other player in the league and, to my mind, he is the best competitor in the league." These words most accurately express the true spirit of Hank Greenberg. Greenberg'' overwhelming statistics are the result of the combination of his talents and his 35 inch, 34 ounce Louisville Slugger. During' overwhelming statistics are the result of the combination of his talents and his 35 inch, 34 ounce Louisville Slugger. During Greenberg'' abbreviated career that began with the Detroit Tigers, he had 1,628 hits, 331 home runs and a batting average of .313. Due to a wrist injury suffered during the 1936 season, Greenberg played in only twelve games. Hank hit 58 home runs in 1938, two short of Babe Ruth's record.' abbreviated career that began with the Detroit Tigers, he had 1,628 hits, 331 home runs and a batting average of .313. Due to a wrist injury suffered during the 1936 season, Greenberg played in only twelve games. Hank hit 58 home runs in 1938, two short of Babe Ruth's record.
Greenberg was one of the first big leaguers to enter the military service. He left Detroit nineteen games into the 1941 campaign and did not return until July 1, 1945. Greenberg, the first $100,000 player, closed out his career in Pittsburgh shooting at Forbes Field's "Greenberg Gardens". Hank Greenberg was voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1956.