Greenberg, Hank

Greenberg, (Henry Benjamin) Hank

(1911–86) baseball player; born in New York City. During his 13-year career as a first baseman for the Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates (1930–47), he hit 331 homeruns and twice won the league Most Valuable Player award (1935, 1940). In 1938 his 58 homeruns nearly eclipsed Babe Ruth's single season record of 60. As one of the first major leaguers to enlist in the military during World War II, Greenberg lost almost four full seasons of playing time (1941–45). Upon his retirement, he served as general manager of the Cleveland Indians (1948–57), and vice-president of the Chicago White Sox (1959–63). He was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1956.