Celebrating the Legendary Jewish Baseball Player During Passover

Today marks the beginning of Passover, a Jewish holiday that I loved as a child. It commemorates the liberation of the Jews from slavery in ancient Egypt.

This special time of celebration brings to mind a recent conversation I had with my friend Noam. I mentioned to him that I believe Hank Greenberg would have been considered one of the top 100 baseball players if he hadn't served in World War II.

Noam was doubtful, so I decided to investigate further. I discovered that Greenberg was actually one of the best hitters in history, making him a strong contender with Sandy Koufax for the title of greatest Jewish baseball player ever.

Mar 26, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) waits on deck in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium.

On March 26, 2024, in Anaheim, California, USA, Shohei Ohtani, the designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is seen waiting on deck in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. The photo was captured by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today Sports/Reuters.

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Greenberg, the first significant Jewish sports star in America, faced a lot of abuse during a time when Hitler was gaining power in Europe. Even before Koufax's famous decision to sit out for Yom Kippur, Greenberg did the same for the Detroit Tigers in 1934 during the pennant race. Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, where followers seek forgiveness for their sins and fast for the day.

Prior to this, Greenberg had already made headlines for his religion. The Detroit Free Press published a large headline in Hebrew, likely the first time a major English-speaking newspaper had done so, when he played on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The headline was supportive, saying, “And so to you, Mr. Greenberg, the Tiger fans say, ‘L’shana Tova Tikatevu!’ which means ‘Happy New Year.’”

Greenberg received a lot of attention for his accomplishments. He finished sixth in the Most Valuable Player voting one year, then went on to win the award in 1935 when the Tigers won the World Series. He later won another MVP in 1940, but his baseball career was interrupted when he joined the armed services in 1941, just a few games into the season.

Despite being eligible for discharge from the US Army in 1941, Greenberg chose to re-enlist after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He ended up serving a total of 47 months, the longest service among all major leaguers, and even saw action overseas during his time in the military.

Hank Greenberg served 47 total months for the US Army during World War II.

Hank Greenberg served 47 total months for the US Army during World War II.

Greenberg made a comeback in 1945, hitting two home runs in a Tigers World Series victory. However, he didn't play a full season until 1946, at the age of 35, which is considered older for baseball players. Despite his age, he managed to lead the major leagues with 44 home runs that year, with no other player even reaching 40.

Greenberg was one of the first baseball players to offer encouragement to Jackie Robinson during his inaugural season in 1947. He would retire after that season, but he and Robinson remained friends until Robinson's death in 1972.

It is widely acknowledged that Greenberg was a hero to young Jewish baseball fans, including my father. He was not only a great American but also an incredible human being.

What I fear gets forgotten sometimes is how good Greenberg was because he lost what was essentially four prime seasons to serve in the Army during the Second World War.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Paul Sewald throws against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning in Game 7 of the baseball NL Championship Series in Philadelphia Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Paul Sewald, the relief pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, was seen in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning of Game 7 of the baseball NL Championship Series in Philadelphia on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. The photo was taken by Brynn Anderson.

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Greenberg is among the elite group of only 10 baseball players who have hit 58 home runs in a single season. He led the major leagues in home runs four times, placing him in the top 10 for this achievement. If it weren't for his career being interrupted by the war, Greenberg likely would have reached, if not surpassed, 500 home runs. He was on track to hit the 400-mark for sure.

Before 1960, only three players had hit 500 home runs, and by 2024, the number had increased to 28. Likewise, just six players had hit 400 home runs before 1960, making Greenberg's 331 homers an impressive feat, ranking 12th at the time. Surprisingly, his total was still good enough for 50th place before the 1990s when the use of performance-enhancing drugs became widespread in MLB's Steroids Era until the mid-2000s.

His 15.69 at-bats per home run currently ranks 32nd of all-time.

But what made Greenberg truly great wasn’t that he merely hit for power; he got on-base at an impressive rate.

Greenberg's on-base percentage of .412 currently ranks 25th among players with over 5,000 plate appearances. In addition, he holds the 15th spot for players who competed in the last century.

Furthermore, Greenberg is among a select group of 21 players who have achieved both hitting at least 300 home runs and maintaining an on-base percentage of .400 or higher.

Greenberg was known for more than just hitting home runs and getting on base. He also hit a lot of doubles. In fact, he achieved at least 50 doubles in a season twice, both times leading the league in this statistic.

Hank Greenberg crosses the plate with the third run as Aaron Robinson makes a stab for him in July 1946.

Hank Greenberg crosses the plate with the third run as Aaron Robinson makes a stab for him in July 1946.

AP

His on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) was truly exceptional, combining getting on-base with hitting for power. With a career OPS of 1.017, he ranks sixth all-time among players with at least 5,000 plate appearances. Taking into account the ballparks he played in and the hitter-friendly era, his OPS+ of 159 was 59% better than the league average, placing him 15th all-time among players with 5,000 plate appearances.

In conclusion, Greenberg is undeniably one of the greatest hitters in the history of America's pastime.

Greenberg's main weakness in his game was his lack of contribution defensively, mainly due to his position as a first baseman, which is considered less demanding compared to other positions on the field.

Despite this weakness, there is a statistic known as seven-year peak wins above replacement (WAR7) that takes into consideration both offensive and defensive contributions. This stat also acknowledges that Greenberg missed out on several potentially successful years due to his time serving in the army. In baseball analysis, there are numerous specific stats like WAR7 that add to the sport's complexity and appeal.

Wins above replacement is a statistic that aims to take into account all aspects of a player's performance, while the seven focuses on a player's top seven seasons. For players like Greenberg, the seven is crucial due to time missed because of military service.

According to Baseball-Reference (with variations in how WAR7 is calculated by different sources), Greenberg is ranked 62nd among all position players since the inception of major league baseball in the 1870s. This solidifies his status as one of the greatest players of all time, even when considering his defensive skills.

I usually don't recommend comparing position players and pitchers on WAR7 because they are calculated differently. However, it's worth noting that Greenberg's WAR7 (46.5) is quite close to Koufax's (46.0). Koufax, known as the "Left Arm of God," had a short career due to arm issues, similar to Greenberg.

It's safe to say that being mentioned in the same breath as Koufax is a significant achievement.

In Greenberg’s case, he did a lot right both on and off the field.

Editor's P/S:

Hank Greenberg's legacy as a baseball legend is undeniable. His exceptional hitting prowess, highlighted by his impressive home run totals and on-base percentage, solidified his place among the greatest batters of all time. However, it is his unwavering spirit and dedication that truly sets him apart. His willingness to serve his country during World War II, despite being eligible for discharge, showcases his patriotism and unwavering commitment. Greenberg's remarkable comeback after the war, leading the major leagues in home runs at the age of 35, is a testament to his resilience and determination.

His significance extends beyond the baseball field. Greenberg was a pioneer for Jewish athletes, breaking down barriers and inspiring countless young players. His friendship with Jackie Robinson during Robinson's inaugural season highlights his allyship and support for racial equality. Greenberg's life and career serve as a reminder of the indomitable spirit and the enduring power of sports to unite and inspire.