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Hank GreenbergAmerican professional baseball player
Date of Birth: 01.01.1911
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Hank Greenberg
Early LifeHenry Benjamin "Hank" Greenberg, also known as the "Hebrew Hammer," "Hammerin' Hank," and "Hankus Pankus," was born on January 1, 1911, in Greenwich Village, New York City. He was the son of Jewish immigrants of Romanian descent, David and Sarah, who owned a successful fabric dyeing factory in New York. Hank had two older brothers, Ben and Joe, and a sister named Lillian. All three brothers played baseball in their childhood.
When Hank was around seven years old, the family moved to the Bronx. During his youth, he faced significant challenges with coordination and flat feet, which hindered his speed. However, Hank worked diligently to overcome these physical limitations, along with unpleasant acne and a speech impediment.
Baseball Career
Hank attended James Monroe High School, where he excelled in various sports. However, baseball remained his favorite. He often played as a first baseman and achieved his first notable success in school, helping his team win the city championship.
Over time, Greenberg became one of the leading hitters of his generation. He hit 58 home runs in 1938, matching Jimmie Foxx's record from the 1932 season. Throughout his career, Greenberg appeared in the All-Star team five times, won the American League Most Valuable Player award twice, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1956. He was the first player to hit 25 or more home runs in a season in both leagues. Greenberg still holds the American League record for RBI in a single season with 183 points as a right-handed batter in 1937.
In 1947, Hank was sold to the Pittsburgh Pirates, making him the first baseball player to earn over $80,000 per year. Adjusted for inflation, his salary would be around $1,028,000 today. He was also one of the few opposing players publicly welcomed by African American Jackie Robinson in the major leagues.
Personal Life
Greenberg is rightfully regarded as the first "Jewish superstar in American professional sports." He gained national attention in 1934 when he refused to play on Yom Kippur, the holiest day for Jews, despite not being particularly religious or observant.
Hank married Caral Gimbel on February 18, 1946, just three days after signing a lucrative contract with the Tigers. They had three children together, sons Stephen and Glenn, and a daughter named Alva. The couple divorced in 1958. In 1966, Hank married Mary Jo Tarola, an actress known as Linda Douglas. They remained together until his death, and they had no children.
Despite his success, Greenberg faced anti-Semitism throughout his career. He endured racial epithets from both fans and players on opposing teams. Despite these challenges, Hank Greenberg's impact on the game of baseball and his trailblazing achievements remain significant. He died on September 4, 1986, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 76.
