Hank Greenberg

On this date in 1983, the Tigers retire Hank Greenberg's uniform number 5.

"The fondest memory I have of Hank Greenberg was the time the Tigers paid for the United Hebrew schools to see a game. It must have been about 1938. In about the seventh inning, Hank came lumbering out to left field as usual and my friend Joe, as a joke, yelled to him in Yiddish that he was hungry. Hank turned around and called over to the peanut vendor and told him to give us a box of peanuts and charge it to him." - Ben Rose (Detroit News)   

Rip Sewell

 

Born on this date, Rip Sewell.

"Rip, I don't think any less of you. But we've got thirty pitchers and only one first baseman. What do you think I'm going to do?" - Tigers manager Mickey Cochrane advising Sewell that he was cutting him in spring training after Sewell got in a fight with future Hall of Famer, Hank Greenberg which had to be broken up by the police.   

Hank Greenberg

Born on today's date, Hank Greenberg.

"How the hell could you get up to home plate every day and have some son-of-a-bitch call you a Jew bastard and a kike and a sheenie and get sent on your ass without feeling pressure? If the ballplayers weren't doing it, the fans were. I used to get frustrated as hell. Sometimes I wanted to go into the stands and beat the shit out of them." 

Ben Chapman

Born on this date, Ben Chapman.

"Sure I did. Everyone used those kids of words back then. Heck, we said the same things to Joe DiMaggio and Hank Greenberg." - on yelling racial slurs at Jackie Robinson during games

Hank Greenberg

On this date in 1935, Hank Greenberg is named the AL MVP.

"When Hank began playing in the minor leagues, a player from the South said 'Hank, people tell me you're Jewish, but I can't believe it.' Hank said, 'Why?' And the player said, 'Because I heard all Jews have horns on their head, like the devil.'" - Ira Berkow, Greenberg biographer 

Rip Sewell

Born on this date, Rip Sewell.

"Rip, I don't think any less of you for it. But we've got thirty pitchers and only one first baseman, What do you think I'm going to do?" - Tigers manager, Mickey Cochrane advising Sewell he was cutting him in spring training after Sewell got in a fight with future Hall of Famer, Hank Greenberg which had to be broken up by the police

Hank Greenberg

Born on this date, Hank Greenberg.

"As a young teenager, I had a tremendous crush on Hank Greenberg. I became an avid baseball fan and since we shared the same last name, my friends called me 'Hank'. The year 1936 was a leap year in which a female could propose marriage to a male. I sent a written proposal of marriage to Hank. He answered my proposal with a friendly hand-written note to the effect that he wasn't quite ready for marriage at that time. Of course, I was thrilled to have a personal note from my hero - never dreaming that anything further would develop. However, shortly thereafter, I learned that he was to be a guest speaker at the youth meeting at Congregation Shaarey Zedek. Of course, I attended so I could meet him in person. I was a very shy 13 year old but, I found the courage to introduce myself to this gorgeous hunk as the girl who proposed to him. With a number of members present, he looked at me and with a twinkle in his eye said, 'I accept'. It was an unforgettable moment when Hank made a starry-eyed teenager feel very special." - Harriet (Greenberg) Colman (Detroit News)

Hank Greenberg

Born on today's date, Hank Greenberg.

"When Hank began playing in the minor leagues, a player from the South said, 'Hank, people tell me you're Jewish, but I can't believe it.' Hank said, 'Why?' And the other player said, 'Because I heard all Jews have horns on their head, like the devil.'" - Ira Berkow, Greenberg biographer

Hank Greenberg

On this date in 1983, Hank Greenberg has his uniform number 5 retired by the Detroit Tigers.

"The fondest memory I have of Hank Greenberg was the time the Tigers paid for the United Hebrew schools to see a game. It must have been about 1938. In about the seventh inning, Hank came lumbering out to left field as usual and my friend Joe, as a joke, yelled to him in Yiddish that he was hungry. Hank turned around and called over to the peanut vendor and told him to give us a box of peanuts and charge it to him." - Baseball fan, Ben Rose (Detroit News)

Hank Greenberg

Born on today's date, Hank Greenberg.

"Don't worry George. I can see it just fine." - to umpire George Pipgras who advised that he was going to call the last game of 1945 due to darkness because he could not see the ball

Next pitch: game-winning home run.

Hank Greenberg

On this date in 1940, Hank Greenberg of the Tigers is named the AL MVP after batting .340 with 41 home runs and 150 rbis.

"The fondest memory I have of Hank Greenberg was the time the Tigers paid for the United Hebrew schools to see a game. It must have been about 1938. In about the seventh inning, Hank came lumbering out to left field as usual and my friend Joe, as a joke, yelled to him in Yiddish that he was hungry. Hank turned around and called over to the peanut vendor and told him to give us a box of peanuts and charge it to him." - Baseball fan, Ben Rose (Detroit News)

Hank Greenberg

On this date in 1986, Hank Greenberg passed away at age 75.

"When Hank began playing in the minor leagues, a player from the South said, 'Hank, people tell me you're Jewish, but I can't believe it.' Hank said, 'Why?' And the other player said, 'Because I heard all Jews have horns in their head, like the devil.'" - Ira Berkow, Greenberg biographer

Rip Sewell

On this date in 1989, Rip Sewell passes away at age 82.

"Rip, I don't think I feel any less of you for it. But we've got thirty pitchers and only one first baseman. What do you think I'm going to do?" - Tigers manager, Mickey Cochrane advising Sewell he was cutting him in Spring Training after Sewell got in a fight with future Hall of Famer, Hank Greenberg which had to be broken up by the police

Hank Greenberg

On today's date in 1983, the Tigers retire Hank Greenberg's Uniform Number 5.

"When you're playing, awards don't seem like much. Then you get older and all of it becomes more precious. It is nice to be remembered."

Hank Greenberg

Born on today's date, Hank Greenberg.

"Don't worry George, I can see it just fine."

To umpire, George Pipgras who advised that he was going to call the last game of 1945 due to darkness because he could not see the ball.

Next pitch: game-winning home run.