May 1, 1934 - AL Game Summaries

Detroit Wins Wild One Over Browns at Navin Field, 11-10
Browns 7 run 7th inning rally falls just short

St. Louis (AL) 10 11 0
Detroit 11 16 0

Detroit fans thought the game was pretty much over after 6, when they led 11-3. Tiger pitchers Carl Fischer and Elden Auker certainly pitched that way. One group who didn't agree, however, was Rogers Hornsby's Browns. Hornsby got off the bench, drew a walk to lead off the 7th, and sparked a 7 run inning, capped off when he came around to bat again and laced a double down the left field line. Chief Hoggsett (pictured) came in to pitch the last two innings, and put out the fire, earning his second save of the season.



Sox Nick Indians 4-3 at Comiskey
Four run first enough to sustain Chicago

Cleveland 3 12 1
Chicago (AL) 4 12 0

Chicago scored all of its 4 runs in the top of the first, 3 of them on a line drive home run into the left field stands by Jimmy Dykes (pictured). Sox pitcher Milt Gaston completed the game without help from the bullpen. Cleveland chipped away at the early Sox lead, and threatened in the 9th, but their rally came up short. Willis Hudlin(1-1) was the losing pitcher. He pitched 8 innings and surrendered 12 hits and no walks. Indian manager Walter Johnson said 'You can't expect to win every day. I'm proud that this team didn't give up after being down early, and we nearly pulled it off. If we play that hard the rest of the year, I don't see any reason we can't win a pennant for the good folks of Cleveland.'



A's Win in Fenway 3-2
Philadelphia pays back Boston for yesterday's one run loss

Philadelphia (AL) 3 11 1
Boston (AL) 2 4 2

Sugar Cain (pictured) completed the game without help from the bullpen as thePhiladelphia Athletics defeated the Boston Red Sox by a score of 3 to 2 at Fenway Park. In the 2nd inning, Philadelphia went on top for good plating an isolated run on 2 hits. Philadelphia finished with 11 hits in the victory. The victory went to Cain (2-2) who went the distance allowing 2 runs. Despite a strong performance himself, Red Sox hurler Hank Johnson(0-1) was hit with the loss. He pitched 8 innings giving up 10 hits and 1 walk.



Nats Win Second One Run Game from Yankees
Stewart, McFayden duel in 2-1 game

New York (AL) 1 8 1
Washington 2 7 1

In a dramatic ending at Griffith Stadium the Washington Nationals won in their last at-bat, beating the New York Yankees by the count of 2 to 1. The game was decided in the 9th inning. John Stone ripped a base-knock. Cecil Travis next to the plate and he tripled resulting in a mighty exciting win for Washington and the 1,892 home town fans in attendance. Washington had 7 hits for the afternoon. Alex McColl (1-0) picked up the victory, allowing no runs in 1 and 1/3 innings. Danny Macfayden(0-2) ended up with the loss. He gave up 2 runs and 7 hits in 8 innings.

April 30th, 1934 - NL Game Summaries

Derringer Outduels Dean as Reds Shock Cards
Reds' pitcher notches 3rd win, allows only one earned

Reds.............. 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 - 6 14 1
Cardinals....... 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 - 3 4 0

Paul Derringer went 9 strong innings at Sportsman's Park where the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals by the score of 6 to 3. Tony Piet had a big day with his bat. He quieted the crowd by clouting a Grand Slam (his 1st of the season) in the 1st inning, delivered a one-base hit in the 6th inning and delivered a single which scored a run in the 7th inning. Cincinnati rapped out 14 hits for the afternoon. The winning pitcher was Derringer (3-0) who allowed 3 runs for the game. Dizzy Dean (1-3) ended up with the loss. His ERA ballooned from 2.77 to 3.86 as heallowed 6 runs in 6 and 2/3 innings.





Bartell leads Phillies to 4-3 win over Boston
Chiozza walk off double sends Phily fans home happy

Braves.......... 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 - 3 9 1
Phillies.......... 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 - 4 9 1


Dick Bartell (pictured) had 2 base hits as the Philadelphia Phillies won at Baker Bowl in dramatic fashion over the Boston Braves, the final score, 4 to 3. The game was won by Philadelphia with a run in the 9th inning. After an out was recorded, Ethan Allen laced a base-hit. Al Todd came to the plate and reached on an error. Lou Chiozza then doubled giving Philadelphia the victory as 1,226 happy fans celebrated wildly. Philadelphia and Boston each finished the afternoon with 9 hits. Bill Lohrman (2-0) was the winner allowing no runs in 1/3 of an inning. Dick Barrett(1-1) was the losing pitcher in relief. He pitched 1/3 of an inning and surrendered 2 hits and no walks.



Pirates Win High Scoring Affair at Forbes
Suhr grand slam topples hot Cubs 12-7

Cubs............ 1 0 2 0 0 4 0 0 0 - 7 11 1
Pirates......... 0 0 2 0 4 5 0 1 - 12 16 0

Gus Suhr smacked a grand slam as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Chicago Cubs by a score of 12 to 7 at Forbes Field. Suhr helped send the fans home happy. He hit a single scoring two base runners in the 5th inning and caught a hold of a fastball for a Grand Slam homerun (his 2nd of the season) in the 6th inning. Overall Pittsburgh out-hit Chicago 16 to 11. Bill Swift (2-0) went 4 innings allowing 3 runs for the win. Dick Ward (0-1) wasthe loser in relief. He allowed 3 runs and 3 hits in 1 and 1/3 innings.


Dodgers Eke Out Win 3-1 Polo Grounds

Visitors win with only 4 hits

Dodgers......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 - 3 4 0
Giants............ 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 - 1 7 2

The Giants broke a scoreless pitcher's duel in the bottom of the 7th, but had to remove starter Freddie Fitzsimmons to push the run across.

Brooklyn took advantage of his exit by beating up the Giants' bullpen in a 3 run 8th inning to win the ball game. Al Lopez opened up the inning nicely when he drew a walk.Two outs later Jimmy Jordan came to the plate and lined a base-hit. Danny Taylor then lost the ball over the fence for three runs (his 1st of the season).

Dodgers pitcher Van Mungo, who was off to a slow 0-3 start, had everything working today as he earned his first win of the season.

April 30th, 1934 - AL Game Summaries

Tigers Dominate Browns at Navin Field
Greenberg is 4 for 4; Rowe yields only 4 hits

Browns.......... 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 4 1
Tigers............ 2 1 2 0 1 0 2 0 x - 8 14 1

Detroit first baseman Hank Greenberg and the St. Louis Browns had something in common this afternoon, as they each garnered 4 hits on the day.

Schoolboy Rowe completed the game without help from the bullpen as the Detroit Tigers beat the St. Louis Browns by a score of 8 to 1. Detroit set the tone of the game in the first inning scoring 2 runs utilizing 3 base hits. Billy Rogell started the inning off right when he doubled. Charlie Gehringer stepped up next and he banged out a single plating a run.Mickey Cochrane then singled. Goose Goslin stepped in and he hit a deep fly, scoring the final run of the inning. The early run support proved sufficientfor Rowe (2-0) and Detroit. That was all the run support Rowe required. Detroit totaled 14 on the afternoon. Ivy Andrews (0-1) was given the loss. He was unable to control the Detroit offense and allowed 9 hits and 2 walks in 4 innings.



Boston Counters A's Rally with Bottom 9th Run
Sox 8-3 after close win

Athletics....... 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 - 4 8 0
Red Sox......... 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 - 5 12 2

Roy Johnson (pictured) collected 2 extra-base hits as the Boston Red Sox won at FenwayPark in dramatic fashion over the Philadelphia Athletics, the final score, 5to 4. The game was decided in the 9th inning. Johnson stroked a base-hit. CarlReynolds was next and he laced a one-base hit. Bob Seeds then laid down asacrifice bunt. Harry Matuzak then threw one that got by the catcher for apassed ball resulting in an exciting win for Boston and a wild post-gamecelebration by the home town fans. Boston out-hit Philadelphia for the game,12 hits to 8. Herb Pennock(1-0) got the win allowing no runs in 1/3 of an inning. The losingpitcher was Matuzak(0-1) in relief. He gave up 1 run and 2 hits in 1/3 of an inning.


Washington Nips Yanks in 9th for Win
Whitehill notches 3rd win with game winning blast

Yankees......... 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 - 3 8 1
Nationals........ 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 - 4 8 0

Earl Whitehill tossed a complete gameand Cecil Travis had 2 base hits at Griffith Stadium as the Washington Nationals won a thriller over the New York Yankees in, 4 to 3. Washington won the game with a run in the 9th inning.

After an out was recorded, Whitehill cracked a solo homerun, making Washington victorious tothe delight of the the home town crowd. Both teams ended up with 8 on theafternoon. The victory was credited to Whitehill (3-0) who went the distance, allowing 3 runs. Johnny Murphy(0-2) suffered the loss in relief. He surrendered 1 runand 1 hit in 1/3 of an inning. Washington now has a record of 6-6. New York has a record of 4-7 after the loss.


Indians Massacre White Sox, 9-1
Averill with another big day at the plate

Indians......... 1 0 4 0 1 1 0 1 1 - 9 13 1
White Sox.... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 - 1 11 0

Monte Pearson allowed Walter Johnson to rest his bullpen, tossing a complete game as the Cleveland Indians defeated the Chicago White Sox by the score of 9 to 1 at Comiskey Park. Earl Averill had a big day against Chicago. He hit a bases-empty home run (his 5th of the season) in the 1st inning, doubled in the 5th inning anddoubled in the 9th inning. Cleveland had many opportunities throughout the game and scored in 6 separate innings. Pearson(2-1) picked up the complete game victory, allowing 1 run. Sam Jones(1-2) took the loss. He was touched for 9 hits and 2 walks in 6 innings.

April 30th, 1934 - AL Standings and Leaders

April 30th Standings and Leaders, brought to you by Campbell's Tomato Juice.



It's not summer without baseball, and it's not summer without the fresh taste of Campbell's Tomato Juice!

NEWSPAPER STYLE RECAP FOR 1934 American League Date: 4/30/1934 TEAM WON LOST BATTING AVERAGE HOME RUNS RUNS BATTED IN 1934 BOA 7 3 J.Vosmik CLA .576 J.Foxx PHA 5 L.Gehrig NYA 15 1934 CHA 6 3 L.Appling CHA .486 E.Averill CLA 4 C.Reynold BOA 13 1934 CLA 5 3 E.Averill CLA .469 L.Gehrig NYA 4 P.Higgins PHA 12 1934 WAA 5 6 C.Gehring DEA .412 G.Puccine SLA 3 OTHERS TIED W 10 1934 PHA 5 6 W.Kamm CLA .407 OTHERS TIED W 2 1934 DEA 4 5 1934 NYA 4 6 WINS SAVES ERA 1934 SLA 2 6 MANY TIED WIT 2 F.Ostermu BOA 2 D.Coffman SLA 0.73 D.Coffman SLA 2 R.Ruffing NYA 1.00 OTHERS TIED W 1 M.Harder CLA 1.50 G.Earnsha CHA 2.00 L.Tietje CHA 2.08 CUR HIT STREAK STOLEN BASES STRIKEOUTS M.Solters BOA 9 E.Combs NYA 2 L.Gomez NYA 16 J.Vosmik CLA 8 B.Chapman NYA 2 J.Allen NYA 14 B.Knicker CLA 8 OTHERS TIED W 1 M.Pearson CLA 11 E.Averill CLA 8 M.Harder CLA 9 J.Stone WAA 7 M.Weaver WAA 9 YESTERDAY'S GAMES TODAY'S SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE STARTERS BOA 1 at NYA 2 CLA-Pearson(1-1, 4.30) at CHA-Jones(1-1, 3.38) CHA 6 at SLA 0 NYA-Ruffing(2-0, 1.00) at WAA-Whitehi(2-0, 3.00) CLA 5 at DEA 7 PHA-Cascare(0-0, ----) at BOA-Welch(2-0, 2.16) PHA 4 at WAA 2 SLA-Andrews(0-0,10.12) at DEA-Rowe(1-0, 3.00) WHO'S HOT - BEST IN LAST 10 DAYS BATTER TM AVG AB H RB BB HR PITCHER TM IP H ER BB Ks HR WLS J.Foxx PHA .364 22 8 6 11 3 H.Pennock BOA 5 2 0 0 4 0 001 L.Gehrig NYA .379 29 11 11 4 3 S.Jones CHA 9 4 0 2 2 0 100 B.Ruth NYA .381 21 8 3 12 1 L.Tietje CHA 9 5 0 2 3 0 100 Z.Bonura CHA .304 23 7 8 4 2 V.Sorrell DEA 9 5 0 2 3 0 100 P.Higgins PHA .310 29 9 7 4 1 L.Gomez NYA 15 9 2 6 16 0 110 WHO'S NOT - WORST IN LAST 10 DAYS BATTER TM AVG AB H RB BB HR PITCHER TM IP H ER BB Ks HR WLS E.McNair PHA .100 30 3 1 2 0 F.Marberry DEA 11 22 15 6 2 3 110 B.Werber BOA .192 26 5 0 2 0 M.Pearson CLA 6 10 7 4 2 1 010 M.Berg WAA .222 27 6 1 1 0 E.Wells SLA 5 9 7 4 3 0 010 R.Ferrell BOA .231 26 6 1 1 0 S.Cain PHA 10 15 8 10 1 0 020 G.Goslin DEA .214 28 6 4 0 0 R.Van Atta NYA 5 7 4 4 2 1 010 INJURY REPORT No injuries to report

LEAGUE STANDINGS FOR 1934 American League WON LOST PCT GB MAGIC# ACTWON ACTLOST ACTPCT 1934 Boston BOA 7 3 .700 ---- 145 76 76 .500 1934 Chicago CHA 6 3 .667 .5 53 99 .349 1934 Cleveland CLA 5 3 .625 1.0 85 69 .552 1934 Washington WAA 5 6 .455 2.5 66 88 .429 1934 Philadelphia PHA 5 6 .455 2.5 68 82 .453 1934 Detroit DEA 4 5 .444 2.5 101 53 .656 1934 New York NYA 4 6 .400 3.0 90 64 .584 1934 St. Louis SLA 2 6 .250 4.0 67 85 .441 OVERALL RECORD Team WON LOST PCT HOME ROAD LEFT RIGHT EXTRA 1-RUN LAST 10 STREAK BOA 7 3 .700 4- 2 3- 1 5- 2 2- 1 1- 0 2- 1 7-3 Lost 1 CHA 6 3 .667 2- 2 4- 1 0- 0 6- 3 0- 0 0- 0 6-3 Won 2 CLA 5 3 .625 4- 0 1- 3 2- 0 3- 3 1- 0 2- 1 5-3 Lost 1 DEA 4 5 .444 2- 3 2- 2 0- 1 4- 4 0- 1 0- 2 4-5 Won 1 NYA 4 6 .400 3- 2 1- 4 1- 1 3- 5 0- 1 1- 2 4-6 Won 1 PHA 5 6 .455 3- 3 2- 3 1- 1 4- 5 0- 0 1- 0 4-6 Won 1 SLA 2 6 .250 2- 2 0- 4 0- 0 2- 6 0- 0 1- 0 2-6 Lost 2 WAA 5 6 .455 1- 3 4- 3 1- 2 4- 4 0- 0 0- 1 4-6 Lost 1 TOTAL 38 38 .500 TEAM -APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT+ BOA 7- 3 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 CHA 6- 3 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 CLA 5- 3 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 DEA 4- 5 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 NYA 4- 6 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 PHA 5- 6 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 SLA 2- 6 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 WAA 5- 6 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 WINS ARE ACROSS, LOSSES ARE DOWN: TEAM BOA CHA CLA DEA NYA PHA SLA WAA BOA - 0 0 0 3 0 0 4 CHA 0 - 0 3 0 0 3 0 CLA 0 0 - 2 0 0 3 0 DEA 0 3 1 - 0 0 0 0 NYA 1 0 0 0 - 3 0 0 PHA 0 0 0 0 3 - 0 2 SLA 0 0 2 0 0 0 - 0 WAA 2 0 0 0 0 3 0 -

April 30th, 1934 - NL Standings and Leaders

NEWSPAPER STYLE RECAP FOR 1934 National League Date: 4/30/1934 TEAM WON LOST BATTING AVERAGE HOME RUNS RUNS BATTED IN 1934 CHN 8 3 B.Terry NYN .463 H.Wilson BRN 3 A.Vaughan PIN 11 1934 PIN 6 3 C.Grimm CHN .444 G.Hartnet CHN 3 W.Berger BON 10 1934 NYN 6 4 M.Ott NYN .432 OTHERS TIED W 2 J.Frederi BRN 10 1934 BRN 5 5 S.Leslie BRN .421 OTHERS TIED W 9 1934 BON 5 5 G.Slade CIN .415 1934 PHN 4 6 1934 SLN 3 7 WINS SAVES ERA 1934 CIN 3 7 L.Warneke CHN 3 B.Smith BON 2 C.Hubbell NYN 0.33 C.Hubbell NYN 3 A.Herring BRN 1 C.Davis PHN 0.50 OTHERS TIED W 2 H.Bell NYN 1 L.Warneke CHN 0.67 B.Swift PIN 1.00 B.Beck BRN 1.45 CUR HIT STREAK STOLEN BASES STRIKEOUTS F.Lindstr PIN 9 P.Martin SLN 4 L.Warneke CHN 20 J.Wilson PHN 8 OTHERS TIED W 2 P.Malone CHN 17 G.Slade CIN 7 D.Vance CIN 16 A.Vaughan PIN 7 V.Mungo BRN 15 OTHERS TIED W 5 B.Walker SLN 14 YESTERDAY'S GAMES TODAY'S SCHEDULE AND PROBABLE STARTERS BRN 9 at PHN 1 BON-Cantwel(1-0, 0.00) at PHN-Holley(0-0,81.00) CIN 3 at PIN 9 BRN-Mungo(0-3, 4.94) at NYN-Fitzsim(1-2, 2.86) NYN 3 at BON 1 CHN-Joiner(0-0, 0.00) at PIN-Smith(0-0, ----) SLN 2 at CHN 4 CIN-Derring(2-0, 1.50) at SLN-Dean(1-1, 2.89) WHO'S HOT - BEST IN LAST 10 DAYS BATTER TM AVG AB H RB BB HR PITCHER TM IP H ER BB Ks HR WLS A.Vaughan PIN .478 23 11 11 4 1 L.Warneke CHN 18 7 0 1 12 0 200 H.Wilson BRN .379 29 11 8 7 2 C.Hubbell NYN 18 11 1 0 8 1 200 S.Leslie BRN .367 30 11 8 5 0 C.Davis PHN 18 10 1 3 3 0 200 B.Herman* CHN .321 28 9 5 4 1 B.Beck BRN 18 10 2 10 6 0 200 J.Wilson PHN .357 28 10 7 1 1 H.Schumacher NYN 26 25 7 7 7 0 110 WHO'S NOT - WORST IN LAST 10 DAYS BATTER TM AVG AB H RB BB HR PITCHER TM IP H ER BB Ks HR WLS J.Mowry BON .077 26 2 1 1 0 D.Luque NYN 5 15 6 1 2 0 010 J.Bottomley CIN .148 27 4 0 1 0 F.Frankhouse BON 7 9 7 5 0 0 010 J.Rothrock SLN .133 30 4 0 2 0 S.Johnson CIN 13 18 12 10 6 0 020 L.Durocher SLN .125 24 3 0 2 0 H.Betts BON 11 13 10 3 3 1 020 P.Martin SLN .133 30 4 2 1 0 J.Shaute CIN 7 8 5 2 0 0 020 INJURY REPORT No injuries to report

LEAGUE STANDINGS FOR 1934 National League WON LOST PCT GB MAGIC# ACTWON ACTLOST ACTPCT 1934 Chicago CHN 8 3 .727 ---- 144 86 65 .570 1934 Pittsburgh PIN 6 3 .667 1.0 74 76 .493 1934 New York NYN 6 4 .600 1.5 93 60 .608 1934 Brooklyn BRN 5 5 .500 2.5 71 81 .467 1934 Boston BON 5 5 .500 2.5 78 73 .517 1934 Philadelphia PHN 4 6 .400 3.5 56 93 .376 1934 St. Louis SLN 3 7 .300 4.5 95 58 .621 1934 Cincinnati CIN 3 7 .300 4.5 52 99 .344 OVERALL RECORD Team WON LOST PCT HOME ROAD LEFT RIGHT EXTRA 1-RUN LAST 10 STREAK BON 5 5 .500 1- 4 4- 1 0- 2 5- 3 0- 0 2- 1 5-5 Lost 3 BRN 5 5 .500 2- 3 3- 2 2- 1 3- 4 0- 0 1- 2 5-5 Won 1 CHN 8 3 .727 4- 2 4- 1 1- 0 7- 3 0- 0 1- 0 7-3 Won 1 CIN 3 7 .300 1- 4 2- 3 1- 1 2- 6 1- 0 1- 1 3-7 Lost 1 NYN 6 4 .600 4- 2 2- 2 2- 1 4- 3 0- 1 1- 2 6-4 Won 2 PHN 4 6 .400 3- 1 1- 5 0- 1 4- 5 1- 0 2- 1 4-6 Lost 1 PIN 6 3 .667 3- 1 3- 2 3- 1 3- 2 1- 1 1- 2 6-3 Won 1 SLN 3 7 .300 2- 3 1- 4 2- 1 1- 6 0- 1 1- 1 3-7 Lost 1 TOTAL 40 40 .500 TEAM -APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT+ BON 5- 5 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 BRN 5- 5 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 CHN 8- 3 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 CIN 3- 7 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 NYN 6- 4 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 PHN 4- 6 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 PIN 6- 3 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 SLN 3- 7 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 0- 0 WINS ARE ACROSS, LOSSES ARE DOWN: TEAM BON BRN CHN CIN NYN PHN PIN SLN BON - 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 BRN 2 - 0 0 0 3 0 0 CHN 0 0 - 4 0 0 0 4 CIN 0 0 2 - 0 0 1 0 NYN 3 0 0 0 - 3 0 0 PHN 0 2 0 0 2 - 0 0 PIN 0 0 0 3 0 0 - 3 SLN 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 -

April 29th, 1934 -Tiger of the Week: Hank Greenberg

Tiger of the Week - Hank Greenberg



Hank Greenberg (HA 8) is one of the greatest sluggers in Detroit Tigers history. Born in the Bronx to Romanian immigrants, Greenberg possessed an ungainly swing combined with a strong work ethic. Although the Yankees showed an interest, Greenberg realized that Lou Gehrig would be entrenched at first for them, and declined, signing instead with Detroit.

He played a single game with the Tigers in 1930, but his real career as a Tiger began in 1933. By his second season in 1934, Greenberg was well known for his skills at the plate, being dubbed the "Jewish Babe Ruth" by some. He played until the 1941 season, when he joined the Army. He returned in 1945, just in time to lead the Tigers to a World Series victory over the Chicago Cubs. He would win the AL MVP twice (1935 and 1940). His career BA was .313 with 313 home runs (.294 and 318 neutralized).

While Greenberg undoutedly faced a measure of anti-semetic insults, he insisted that, by and large, his treatment from other ball players and umpires was fair. For example, Greenberg chased Babe Ruth's 1927 HR record in 1938, finally hitting 58. While some argued that Cleveland's pitchers did not give him hittable pitches in the final series of the season, it should be noted that the Tigers and Indians were vying for third place, and the winner would get a larger share of World Series money. Greenberg himself cited several instances where players and umpires cut him slack to help him break the record during the season.

Greenberg played his entire career for Detroit except for his last season, which he played in Pittsburgh. After the 1946 season, Greenberg and the Tigers had difficulty coming to terms on salary. According to one account, Tigers owner John Fetzer saw a newspaper story with a photo of Greenberg in a Yankees uniform, and which claimed that Greenberg desired to play in New York. According to this account, it prompted Fetzer to sell Greenberg's contract. The story, however, was untrue. The photo came from an exhibition game played during the war in which Greenberg's team was given Yankees uniforms to play in.

Although Greenberg initially decided to retire rather than play for Pittsburgh, the Pirates and their fans went all out to convince him to play. Bing Crosby recorded a song in his honor ("Goodbye Mr. Baseball"), the Pirates moved the seats in left field and named the area behind the wall "Greenberg's Gardens," and, not least, made him the first ball player to earn over $100,000 in a season. Playing that least season for Pittsburgh (.408 on base percentage, 8th in the league in home runs, 10th in slugging percentage) also gave Greenberg a chance to become one of the few players to be demonstrably supportive of Jackie Robinson in Robinson's first year.

Greenberg worked hard to become an adequate fielder, paying sandlot ball players to hit extra fielding practice to him (someone once likened his fielding to an elephant trying to pick up marbles with his toes). From 1933 until 1939 he played every game at first base. In 1940, 1941 and 1945 he moved to the outfield at the Tigers' request so they could accomodate the up and coming Rudy York. Greenberg returned to first base in 1946 and 1947.

One of the most well known aspects of Greenberg lore came in how he reconciled his Jewish faith with the Tigers' 1934 schedule, which required playing important games on the two most solemn of Jewish holidays - Rosh Hoshanah and Yom Kippur. Greenberg consulted with a Rabbi, who advised that he could play on Rosh Hashonah, the Jewish New Year. Greenberg's two solo home runs gave the Tigers a 2-1 win over Boston. Yom Kippur, however, was entirely another matter - a solemn day of "atonement" for the year's sins. Greenberg, then only 23, attended services at the local synagogue, placing his faith above his profession. He was rewarded with an ovation from the congregation upon entering, and became a hero to Jewish Americans everywhere.

Greenberg retired from basbeall after the 1947 season and became general manager of the Cleveland Indians, and, later, the Chicago White Sox during their 1959 AL pennant victory. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1956.

Ed note: thanks to Mendoza Line for the correction

Sources:

CWCI 55-57
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Greenberg
Video, The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg

April 29th, 1934 - NL Game Summaries

Dodgers "Boom Boom" Phillies 9-1

Cuccinello goes deep; Beck dominates again

Brooklyn 9 9 0

Philadelphia (NL) 1 6 0

Right fielder Johnny Frederick had 3 base hits and 5 RBI and Tony Cuccinello (pictured) had two hits including a home run as the Brooklyn Dodgers topped the Philadelphia Phillies by a score of 9 to 1 at the Baker Bowl. Brooklyn set the tone of the game in the first inning when they scored 2 runs on 2 hits. That was all the runs Dodger starter "Boom Boom" Beck (2-0) needed. Brooklyn had 9 hits for the afternoon while Philadelphia had 6. Cy Moore (0-2) was charged with the loss. He gave up 6 hits and 7 walks in 7 innings.

Pirates Score At Will Against Reds Pitching

Avenge yesterday's loss with 9-3 triumph

Cincinnati 3 8 1

Pittsburgh 9 11 3

Red Lucas pitched a complete game and Paul Waner had 2 base hits and 3 RBI as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds by a score of 9 to 3 atForbes Field. In the 5th inning Pittsburgh went on top for good as they scored 4 runs on 5 base hits. The critical plate appearance was by Arky Vaughan (pictured) who elicited a roar from the hometown fans when he ripped a base-knock plating two runs. Pittsburgh banged out 11 on the afternoon. Lucas (1-0) picked up the complete game victory, allowing 3 runs. The loss was charged to Joe Shaute (0-2). He pitched 5 innings giving up 6 hits and 1 walk.

Giants Win Tight Ballgame in Boston

3-1 victory first for Schumacher

New York (NL) 3 6 2

Boston (NL) 1 5 2

At Braves Field, the Boston faithful were treated to an intriguing pitcher's duel. Hal Schumacher (1-1) finally bested his Boston counterpart, Huck Betts (0-2), by the score of 3 to 1. Boston was unable to recover after New York went ahead in the 6th inning, plating an isolated run. The game was a scoreless duel until the 6th inning. Schumacher got help from Hi Bell who earned his 1st save. Betts took the loss. He surrendered only 3 runs and 5 hits in 8 innings.

Cubs take Another from Cards 4-2

Hartnett's two homers too much for Redbirds

St. Louis (NL) 2 5 2

Chicago (NL) 4 6 0

Catcher Gabby Hartnett (pictured) ripped 2 home runs and had 3 RBI and Pat Malone was able to finish what he started and was credited with a complete game as the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals by a score of 4 to 2. Hartnett made sure the Chicago fans enjoyed themselves. He stroked a one-base hit in the 2nd inning, popped a two-run clout over the fence in the 4thinning and lofted a solo-blast 'downtown' (his 3rd of the season) in the 8thinning. St. Louis was set down quietly in the 9th. Malone(1-2) got the victory, allowing 2 runs for the game. Bill Walker(0-1) was tagged with the loss. He allowed 6 hits and 6 walks in 8 innings.