Discuss Detroit » Archives - Beginning July 2006 » Hank Greenberg Stamps. « Previous Next »
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Jjaba
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Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 4106
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 71.193.193.49
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 6:29 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The US Post Office just issued stamps with 4 baseball sluggers on the sheet.

Of the four, Tigers great, Hammerin' Hank Greenberg is one of them.

What do you know about Greenberg?

jjaba.
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Mountainman
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Username: Mountainman

Post Number: 94
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 153.90.110.17
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 7:03 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hank Greenberg, was actually one of the best Jewish players to play the game. From what I recall he was a high percentage hitter with some impressive power behind him. Played in the 30s and 40s. Here's a link to his stats:

http://www.baseball-reference. com/g/greenha01.shtml
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Jjaba
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Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 4109
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 71.193.193.49
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 7:47 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The social history here is important. Greenberg brought great pride to American Jews. He refused to work on Jewish High Holidays, even during pennant races in 1935, '36, and '45.

Greenberg attended Congregation Shaarey Zedek on Chicago Blvd. and Lawton. jjaba also attended here. Mothers and daughters would be on their porches by the shul hoping to make eye contact with this Jewish hero.

Guiffilte fish and other plates of Jewish food was delivered to the Tigers Clubhouse after games. Greenberg was befriended by several Jewish Tigers fans who invited him for dinner, cards, a schnaps, etc. He was from The Bronx but he was ours too.

At Tigers vs. Cubs World Series, Chicago fans yelled "kike" at Hammerin' Hank. Many Jewish ballfans will not set foot in Wrigley Field because of their reception to our Hank Greenberg.
Ofcourse, the Tigers kicked their asses.

jjaba, Westside Torah Bukkor.
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Mountainman
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Username: Mountainman

Post Number: 96
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 153.90.110.17
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 7:59 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I love it. I knew he was very proud of his Jewish culture. But that's awesome.
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Rjk
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Username: Rjk

Post Number: 409
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.41.145.5
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 8:29 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

He was drafted into the Army, but congress soon passed a law saying that men over 28 didn't have to serve. After Pearl Harbor was bombed HG was the first baseball player to enlist and serve in the Army Air Corps in the China Burma-India Theater. He could have stayed state side but wanted to fight.

I recall this story from a special I saw on HG.
While in the army HG's troop leader supposedly was making some derogatory comments about Jews, saying that he didn't want any guys named (he then recited two common Jewish last names, something like Schwartz and Rosenberg) under his command. At this point the story goes that GH stood up and said, "My name is Hank Greenberg." The troop leader stood before the imposing HG and sheepishly said, "I said guys named Schwartz and Rosenberg, I didn't say anything about guys named Greenberg."

(Message edited by rjk on July 20, 2006)
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Kathleen
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Username: Kathleen

Post Number: 1428
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.122.57
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 8:36 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg...a terrific film on the Tiger great!!

Check out their website: http://www.hankgreenbergfilm.o rg/
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Jiminnm
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Username: Jiminnm

Post Number: 929
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 68.35.85.184
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 8:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Kathleen & jjaba, tha film was produced and created by Aviva Kempner, my classmate and Cass Tech 1965 graduate.
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Kathleen
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Username: Kathleen

Post Number: 1429
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.122.57
Posted on Thursday, July 20, 2006 - 8:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Aviva did a wonderful job on that film. We saw it at the Detroit Film Theatre with a very appreciative audience.
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Lowell
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Username: Lowell

Post Number: 2799
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 66.167.211.36
Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 12:13 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

1-aka Hankus Pankus.

2-I wonder if jjaba will get any of those stamps?

3-He was my mom's favorite player.

4-Scary thought. How would the Tigers be with him at 1st today?
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The_rock
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Username: The_rock

Post Number: 1339
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.42.251.225
Posted on Friday, July 21, 2006 - 7:03 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mickey Mantle, Roy Campanella and Mel Ott were the the other 3 sluggers whose images were part of the set of stamps issued by the US Postal Department.
Old # 5 was in with some exclusive company.
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Jjaba
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Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 4112
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 71.193.193.49
Posted on Saturday, July 22, 2006 - 2:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Not to mention The Rock has his own commerative.
A lot of people don't know about this, eh.

jjaba.
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The_rock
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Username: The_rock

Post Number: 1340
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.42.251.225
Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 11:38 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Right you are. My commerative is on the flip side of the first day issue of the Mackinac bridge(3 cent) stamp, issued from the post office ( Emerson Duffina, postmaster) on Mackinac Island, June 25, 1958.
Might be worth 4 cents now.
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Ray1936
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Username: Ray1936

Post Number: 709
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 207.200.116.139
Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 12:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Didn't Mel Ott also briefly play for the Tigers?
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Gary
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Username: Gary

Post Number: 159
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 68.248.0.20
Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 12:29 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Nope. Mel Ott spent his entire career with the New York Giants.
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Jiminnm
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Username: Jiminnm

Post Number: 955
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 68.35.85.184
Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 1:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mel Ott and Van Patrick were the Tigers' radio and TV broadcasters from 1956-1958.
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Jjaba
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Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 4115
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 71.193.193.49
Posted on Monday, July 24, 2006 - 1:01 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

From the Mel Ott stamp,
Mel Ott, 1909-1958, played 22 yrs. with the New York Giants. He was the first in National League to hit 500 homers. Led his league in homers six times.

On The Rock stamp, it notes he is fine member of the Michigan Bar, having more stolen bases than any other Detroit lawyer in history.

jjaba.
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Jjaba
Member
Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 4116
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 71.193.193.49
Posted on Monday, July 24, 2006 - 1:12 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mel Ott, Hall of Fame in 1951. New York Giants 1926-1948, then manager.

511 homers. Batted left handed. Polo Grounds had a short right field fence which helped.

Died in car accident, 1958. Buried at Metairie Cemetery, Orleans Parish, Louisiana.

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