On This Day

Hank Greenberg

Athlete

Born: Died: American

Henry Benjamin Greenberg (January 1, 1911 – September 4, 1986), nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank", "Hankus Pankus", and "the Hebrew Hammer", was an American professional baseball player and team executive. He played in Major League Baseball, primarily for the Detroit Tigers as a first baseman in the 1930s and 1940s. A member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and a two-time Most Valuable Player Award winner, he was one of the premier power hitters of his generation and is widely considered one of the greatest sluggers in baseball history.

Greenberg played the first twelve of his 13 major league seasons for Detroit; with the Tigers, he was an All-Star for four seasons and was named the American League Most Valuable Player in 1935 and 1940. He had a batting average over .300 in eight seasons, and won two World Series championships with the Tigers (1935 and 1945). He was the AL home run leader four times and his 58 home runs for the Tigers in 1938 equaled Jimmie Foxx's 1932 mark for the most in one season by anyone other than Babe Ruth, and tied Foxx for the most home runs between Ruth's record 60 in 1927 and Roger Maris' record 61 in 1961.

Notable For

American baseball player

Hank Greenberg's Historical Timeline

  1. Hank Greenberg is born

    Hank Greenberg, American athlete, known for american baseball player, was born on 1911-01-01.

  2. Detroit's future Baseball Hall of Fame first baseman Hank Greenberg hits an AL pennant-winning grand slam on the final d

    Detroit's future Baseball Hall of Fame first baseman Hank Greenberg hits an AL pennant-winning grand slam on the final day of the season as the Tigers beat the St. Louis Browns 6-3

  3. Detroit Tigers sell Hank Greenberg to Pirates (for $25-35,000)

    Detroit Tigers sell Hank Greenberg to Pirates (for $25-35,000)

  4. Hank Greenberg buys an interest in the Cleveland Indians baseball team

    The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland.

  5. MLB Chicago White Sox slugger Dick Allen becomes the fourth player to homer into Comiskey Park's center field bleachers,

    MLB Chicago White Sox slugger Dick Allen becomes the fourth player to homer into Comiskey Park's center field bleachers, a feat previously achieved by only Jimmie Foxx, Hank Greenberg, and Alex Johnson

Associated Historical Events

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Hank Greenberg born?
Hank Greenberg was born on 1911-01-01 (American).
What is Hank Greenberg known for?
American baseball player
What historical events involved Hank Greenberg?
Hank Greenberg was involved in 5 recorded historical events, including Hank Greenberg is born, Detroit's future Baseball Hall of Fame first baseman Hank Greenberg hits an AL pennant-winning grand slam on the final d, Detroit Tigers sell Hank Greenberg to Pirates (for $25-35,000).
When did Hank Greenberg die?
Hank Greenberg died on 1986-01-01.

Related Years