Grave Hunter
Hank Geenberg
D.O.B.: 1911
D.O.D.: 1986
Cause of Death:
Location:
Hillside Memorial; Mausoleum outside/rear, Isiah V140
Biography:
Just
nine years after Babe Ruth's record setting sixty home run season and long
before Ford Frick would attach an asterisk to Roger Maris, Hammerin' Hank
Greenberg came within three home runs of breaking the Babe's record in 1938.
Despite Greenberg's career being significantly shortened by military service he
stands out as one of baseball's all time greatest players. Greenberg ranks third
only behind Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in at bat to RBI ratio (4.07). Speculation
is difficult at best, however if Hammerin' Hank were to hit his average number
of home runs for the years he was in military service he would have become a
member of the exclusive 500 home run club.
He would ultimately be elected to the Hall of Fame in 1956.
Hank
Greenberg crossed a different line: He became baseball's first Jewish superstar.
In
1954, Hank Greenberg became the first Jewish player to be elected to baseball's
Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. His pioneering efforts as a player and owner paved
the way for Jews in the top ranks of major league baseball, whether as a Hall of
Famer like Sandy Koufax, a general manager like Al Rosen, or an owner and
commissioner of major league baseball like Bud Selig of the Milwaukee Brewers
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