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.

April 29th, 1934 - AL Game Summaries

Tigers Outlast Indians in 7-5 Home Win
Marv Owen has big day at plate

Cleveland 5 11 0
Detroit 7 8 0

Tigers third baseman Marv Owen often plays in the shadow of the other Tigers players. He doesn't hit for power like Greenberg, nor does he hit for average like Cochrane. He can't field like Gehringer ('although I doubt any one can,' joked Owen), whose spectacular diving stop robbed Cleveland of what would have been its 12th hit. But, when all was said and done yesterday, it was Marv Owen's bat that made the difference. Owen went 2 for 4, and knocked in 3 of the Tiger runs. Firpo Marberry (2-1) was solid if not spectacular. He was reached for 10 hitsand 3 walks in 8 innings and was touched for 2 homeruns. Despite losing, Cleveland out-hit Detroit 11 to 8. Marberry got help from Chief Hogsett who earned his 1st save. Oral Hildebrand (1-2) was the loser. He struggled with his control, issuing 9 walks in 6 and 2/3 innings. 'We can't always rely on walks to save us,' muttered Detroit manager Mickey Cochrane, 'but we're scrapping for wins right now, so I'll take it however it comes.'




Gomez Back to Form as Yanks Stop Sox Streak at 7
2-1 victory all Lefty's, says McGraw

Boston (AL) 1 3 0
New York (AL) 2 6 1

Boston was stopped dead in its tracks in its effort to win an 8th straight game last night. The obstacle was Yanks' ace Lefty Gomez, who hasn't, he admits, been pitching nearly as well as he can this season. 'It felt right yesterday,' said Gomez. Despite Gomez's three hit effort, the game was decided in the 9th inning. Tony Lazzeri cracked a solo homerun (his 1st of the season) giving New York the victory as 25,438 happy fans celebrated. New York had just 6 hits for the afternoon. Gomez(1-2) picked up the complete game victory, allowing 1 run. BobWeiland (1-2) took the loss. He allowed 2 runs and 6 hits in 8 innings.




Sox Prevail Over Browns Again, 6-0
Tietje Allows Little to Home Town Team

Chicago (AL) 6 14 0
St. Louis (AL) 0 5 1

Al Simmons had 2 base hits and 3 RBI, Jimmy Dykes (pictured) went 3 for 4, and Les Tietje whitewashed St. Louis at Sportsman's Park where the Chicago White Sox beat the St. Louis Browns by the score of 6 to 0. Tietje (1-0) looked very much in control throughout the day. He didn't allow much, just 5 hits and 2 walks in 9 innings seeing his ERA drop from 6.75 to 2.08. Chicago rapped out 14 hits for the afternoon. Jim Weaver (0-1) was the losing pitcher. He pitched 5 and 1/3 innings and surrendered 7 hits and 3 walks.




A's Prevail Over Nats 4-2
Johnson 2 RBIs key in A's victory

Philadelphia (AL) 4 7 3
Washington (AL) 2 8 2

Johnny Marcum allowed Connie Mack to rest his bullpen, tossing a complete gameas the Philadelphia Athletics defeated the Washington Nationals by a score of 4 to 2 at Griffith Stadium. Philadelphia had 2 runs cross the plate in the 3rd inning with the help of 3 hits. The key offensive moment was provided by Bob Johnson (pictured) who disappointed the partisan crowd when he laced a base-knock scoring two baserunners. Philadelphia had 7 hits for the afternoon. The win was credited to Marcum(2-2) who went the whole way allowing 2 runs. The losing pitcher was General Crowder (0-1). He surrendered 5 hits and 4 walks in 5 innings.

April 28th, 1934 - NL Game Summaries

Davis is Sterling in Shutout of Brooklyn Ball Club

Philly Ace Holds Dodgers to six hits in complete game shut out

Brooklyn 0 6 1

Philadelphia (NL) 2 4 1

Ethan Allen hit a home run and Curt Davis (pictured) whitewashed Brooklyn as thePhiladelphia Phillies topped the Brooklyn Dodgers by a score of 2 to 0 at the Baker Bowl. Davis (2-0) gave Philadelphia a solid outing. Davis was stingy, allowing just 6 hits, all singles and 1 walk in 9 innings and seeing his ERA drop from 1.00 to 0.50. Philadelphia had only 4 hits for the afternoon. Ray Benge (1-1) was charged with the loss. He surrendered 2 runs and 4 hits in 8 innings. One of those hits, however, was Allan's home run, which proved the difference.

Reds Top Bucs in 12

Piet hits, gets hit, in Cinci victory

Cincinnati 4 11 2

Pittsburgh 3 8 1

Tony Piet (pictured) had already had a fine day at Forbes Field when he came to bat in the 12th inning. He had three hits, two of them doubles, had scored twice and knocked in one of his own. But Piet's game winning moment came when he got hit by Pirates pitcher Waite Hoyt. Piet then stole second base and was able to get to third when Bucs catcher Pat Veltman threw the ball into the outfield. Reds catcher Bob O'Farrell then hit a fly out deep enough to allow the speedy Piet to tag up.

The victory went to Don Brennan (1-0) who went 4 and 2/3 innings, allowing noruns. Hoyt (0-1) was charged with the loss in relief. He was a hard-luck loser as he did not allow an earned run in his 5 innings of work.

Giants Nick Braves in Hard Fought Contest

Hubbell outduels Brandt

New York (NL) 2 7 1
Boston (NL) 1 5 2

'The two best players were definitely both on the mound today,' admitted Giants slugger Mel Ott. 'We couldn't hit their pitcher and they couldn't hit ours.' In a game that saw only 12 hits and two walks, the Giants were able to notch their fifth win of the season. The difference in the game in retrospect turned out to be Boston shortstop Bill Urbanski's muff that allowed the Giants to score on what would have been the third out. Fortunately for New York, Giants pitcher Carl Hubbell (3-0) simply dominated Boston. He didn't allow much, just 5 hits and no walks in 9 innings. New York had a total of 7 hits for the game. The loss was charged to Ed Brandt (2-1). He gave up 5 hits and 2 walks in 8 innings.


Cards Outhit, Outpitch Cubs in Tough 5-3 Win
Dean's Third Start Goes Better

St. Louis (NL) 5 10 1
Chicago (NL) 3 5 2


Dizzy Dean admits that he still isn't pitching quite as well as he'd like, but his second best was still good enough to allow the Cards a 5-3 wins over league leading Chicago. Dean allowed 5 hits and 3 walks in his complete game win to improve to 1-2. Jack Rothrock (pictured), who has struggled at the plate this year, got two hits and improved his batting average to .125. Spud Davis also had 2 base hits. In all, St. Louis had 10 hits for the afternoon. Guy Bush (2-1) absorbed the loss for the Cubbies. He pitched 9 innings and surrendered 10 hits and no walks. 'I'm just glad we were able to get Diz some runs this time,' said Rothrock, reminding reporters that Dean's second loss came in a 2-0 loss to the Cubs earlier in the year.

April 28th, 1934 - AL Game Summaries

Harder Shuts Down Tigers in 2-1 Pitching Duel
Bridges held Tribe to 1 over 8th

Cleveland 2 10 0
Detroit 1 9 0

In a tension filled pitchers' duel in Detroit, Cleveland pitcher Mel Harder (pictured) was only a little better than his rival, Tiger Tommy Bridges, but it was just enough to give the Tribe its 5th win of the season. 'Tommy was brilliant for us today,' said Tigers manager Mickey Cochrane. 'The boys and me just couldn't get it done at the plate.' A pivotal moment came when Tigers third baseman Billy Rogell was thrown out at home plate in the bottom of the 8th with what would have been the tying run.

Joe Vosmik hit one over the fence and Mel Harder allowed Walter Johnson tor est his bullpen, tossing a complete game at Navin Field. Harder(2-0) gave a fine effort for Cleveland. He went 9 innings allowing 9 hits and 4 walks improving his ERA from 2.00 to 1.50. Detroit threatened in the 9th but their rally came up short. Bridges(0-1) suffered the loss.



Red Sox Take Opener Against NY Rivals
Boston makes it seven straight with win

Boston (AL) 7 9 5
New York (AL) 5 12 3

Right fielder Moose Solters had 2 base hits at Yankee Stadium as the streaking Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees 7 to 5. Gordon Rhodes(2-1) contributed a pedestrian performance to earn the win. Heallowed 7 hits and 6 walks in 6 and 1/3 innings. Although they lost, New York did out-hit Boston 12 to 9. Rhodes was helped out by Fritz Ostermueller who recorded his 2nd save. RussVan Atta (0-1) absorbed the loss. He was knocked around pretty good, givingup 6 runs in 5 innings. Boston won for the 7th straight time. 'Everything seems to be going right forus' said Bucky Harris (pictured from his playing days in Washington). 'I've got the easiest job in the league right now!'


www.dickperez.com


White Sox Down Browns 7-3
Earnshaw picks up second victory

Chicago (AL) 7 16 0
St. Louis (AL) 3 11 1

George Earnshaw tossed a complete game and right fielder Frenchy Bordagarayhad 3 base hits as the Chicago White Sox beat the St. Louis Browns by a scoreof 7 to 3. Chicago set the tone of the game in the first inning scoring 2 runners on 2 hits. The highlight belonged to Zeke Bonura who silenced the stadium when helifted one out of the park for a two run home run (his 2nd of the season). Chicago banged out 16 on the afternoon. The victory was credited to Earnshaw (2-0) who went the distance, allowing 3runs. Bobo Newsom(0-1) was hit with the loss. He was knocked around by Chicago, allowing 14 hits and 5 walks in 7 and 2/3 innings.



Nationals Achieve Victory at Home Over A's
Senators improve to .500 with win

Philadelphia (AL) 4 10 1
Washington (AL) 6 8 2

In a good matchup it was the Washington Nationals 6, the Philadelphia Athletics 4 at Griffith Stadium. Washington brought 5 runs across the plate in the bottom of the 3rd inningwith the help of 4 hits. That early run support was enough for Tommy Thomas (2-0) and Washington. Philadelphia made it exciting in the 9th, but they were unable to push the needed runs across. Alex McColl got the save, his 1st. Sugar Cain (1-2) ended up with the loss. He was not very effective, surrendering 5 runs in 3 innings.

April 27th, 1934 - Book Review

Memories of a Baseball Player: Bill Werber and Baseball in the 1930s.

Bill Werber and C. Paul Rogers III

2001, pp. 250, index (privately printed)*

(Replay note: During 1934, Werber was the Red Sox's regular shortstop. Although error prone, he had an excellent season at the plate.)

Bill Werber (HA78) was mostly a journeyman infielder who had managed a few very good years during his playing career that spanned from 1933 to 1942 (with a few games in 1930).

The book is appropriately named as a collection of "memories" rather than a memoir or autobiography. It contains a broad range of Werber's anecdotes from his playing days, and does not pretend to be anything more. Because he played in both leagues, and for five teams, however, his experience was broad enough for that to give the reader a good sense of what baseball during the 1930s was like for the players. Great stories abound, of course, but the book is ultimately greater than the sum of its total.

In fact, because he was not a star, Werber's account is particularly useful. The stories are well written and well organized, which chapters specifically covering managers, various teams, umpires, etc. A fast reader could finish it in half an afternoon and, unless already well versed in the game during that era, will have a much better sense of the game during the period Werber describes when finished.

Memories suffers from the usual drawbacks of a book of its genre. It appears to be nothing more than Werber retelling all of his best baseball stories with Rogers helping to organize and edit them in an interesting, meaningful way. There are apparently no secondary sources, nor did either do any additional "homework" to make the book more than what it is. As a result, one would want to verify Werber's account, told decades after the fact. One example: Werber dates a self-inflicted foot injury to 1934, which, he explains, caused his game to decline. Bill James dates Werber's injury to 1938. Although one would think Werber himself would be the authority, a good researcher would probably want to do more digging on such points.

Still, what it is is quite enough to reward the reader well for the relatively small investment in time and attention it takes to read it.

* Publishing note: My copy only lists a printer; not a publisher. The book is available through the University of Nebraska's Bison Press at the link below. Amazon lists the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) as the publisher.

Rating: ***/**** (Recommend buying it discount or second hand)

Purchasing Information: It can be obtained from the University of Nebraska Bison Press in paperback, usually at a discount, at:

http://unp.unl.edu/bookinfo/4041.html

Or new or used through internet new and used book sellers.

April 27th, 1934 - NL Game Summaries

Warneke Blanks Cards in Cubs' 2-0 Win

Yields only two hits to earn third win


Cardinals....... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 2 1
Cubs............... 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 x - 2 7 0



Lon Warneke (pictured) allowed only 2 hits while blanking St. Louis as the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals by a score of 2 to 0. Warneke (3-0) was virtually untouchable. He didn't give up much, just 2 hits and 1 walk in 9 innings lowering his ERA to 0.67. The pitchers took over after the 2nd inning as neither team was able to score again. Tex Carleton (0-2) was given the loss. He pitched 7 innings, giving up 7 hits and 2 walks.

Warneke was obviously very pleased with his performance in the aftermath of the game, 'It was just one of those games where everything worked. My arm felt great, heck, I could have pitched another two or three innings. I only hope that I can do it again next time out!'