The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg
Encyclopedia
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
directed, produced and written by Aviva Kempner
Aviva Kempner
Aviva Kempner is an American filmmaker. Her documentaries investigate non-stereotypical images of Jews in history and focus on the untold stories of Jewish heroes. She is most well known for The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg....
about Hall of Fame first baseman Hank Greenberg
Hank Greenberg
Henry Benjamin "Hank" Greenberg , nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank" or "The Hebrew Hammer," was an American professional baseball player in the 1930s and 1940s. A first baseman primarily for the Detroit Tigers, Greenberg was one of the premier power hitters of his generation...
of the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. A Jewish player who chose not to play on Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur , also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue...
in 1934 during a heated pennant race, Greenberg experienced a great deal of antisemitism. He almost broke Babe Ruth's 60 home run record by hitting 58 home runs in 1938.
Like many players of the era, Greenberg's career was interrupted by military service. Initially, Greenberg was classified unfit for service due to flat feet. However, upon re-examination, he was cleared. Before Japan's
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
, the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
released men over age 28. After the attack, Greenberg immediately reenlisted in the United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
.
In 1947
1947 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Brooklyn Dodgers *All-Star Game, July 8 at Wrigley Field: American League, 2-1-Other champions:*First College World Series: California...
, Hank Greenberg, as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
and playing his final season, was one of the few ballplayers to give the Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
' Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
, the majors' first black player in many years, a warm welcome. Robinson later said, "Class tells. It sticks out all over Mr. Greenberg".
Produced by
- Aviva Kempner .... producerFilm producerA film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
- Ari Daniel Pinchot .... associate producer
Cast overview
- Rabbi Reeve Robert BrennerReeve Robert BrennerReeve Robert Brenner is an American Reform rabbi, inventor and author.- Biography :Brenner is a native of New York City. Since his ordination at the New York campus of the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in 1964, he has been a U.S...
.... Himself - interviewee - Hank GreenbergHank GreenbergHenry Benjamin "Hank" Greenberg , nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank" or "The Hebrew Hammer," was an American professional baseball player in the 1930s and 1940s. A first baseman primarily for the Detroit Tigers, Greenberg was one of the premier power hitters of his generation...
.... Himself (archive footage) - Walter MatthauWalter MatthauWalter Matthau was an American actor best known for his role as Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple and his frequent collaborations with Odd Couple star Jack Lemmon, as well as his role as Coach Buttermaker in the 1976 comedy The Bad News Bears...
.... Himself - interviewee - Alan M. Dershowitz .... Himself - interviewee (as Alan Dershowitz)
- Carl LevinCarl LevinCarl Milton Levin is a Jewish-American United States Senator from Michigan, serving since 1979. He is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
.... Himself - interviewee (as Senator Carl Levin) - Stephen Greenberg .... Himself - interviewee
- Joseph Greenberg .... Himself - interviewee (as Joe Greenberg)
- Rabbi Max Ticktin .... Himself - interviewee
- Bill Mead .... Himself - interviewee
- Lou GehrigLou GehrigHenry Louis "Lou" Gehrig , nicknamed "The Iron Horse" for his durability, was an American Major League Baseball first baseman. He played his entire 17-year baseball career for the New York Yankees . Gehrig set several major league records. He holds the record for most career grand slams...
.... Himself (archive footage) - Basil 'Mickey' Briggs .... Himself - interviewee
- Don Shapiro .... Himself - interviewee
- Bert Gordon .... Himself - interviewee
- Joe FallsJoe FallsJoseph Francis Falls was an American journalist. He began his career in his native New York City. At the age of 17 in 1945, he took a job as a copyboy for the Associated Press. After an apprenticeship of eight years, Falls moved to the Detroit bureau of the AP.In Detroit, Falls flourished...
.... Himself - interviewee - Henry FordHenry FordHenry Ford was an American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry...
.... Himself (archive footage) - Fr. Charles CoughlinCharles CoughlinFather Charles Edward Coughlin was a controversial Roman Catholic priest at Royal Oak, Michigan's National Shrine of the Little Flower church. He was one of the first political leaders to use radio to reach a mass audience, as more than thirty million tuned to his weekly broadcasts during the...
.... Himself (archive footage) - Dr. George Barahal .... Himself - interviewee
- Ira BerkowIra BerkowIra Berkow is an American Pulitzer Prize winning sports reporter, columnist and writer.-Life:Berkow earned his BA in English Literature at Miami University, and his MA from the Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University...
.... Himself - interviewee - Harold Allen .... Himself - interviewee
- Robert Steinberg .... Himself - interviewee
- Charlie Gehringer .... Himself - interviewee (also archive footage)
- Herman 'Flea' CliftonFlea CliftonHerman Earl "Flea" Clifton , was a Major League Baseball infielder who played four seasons with the Detroit Tigers from 1934 to 1937.Clifton was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 12, 1909...
.... Himself - interviewee - Billy RogellBilly RogellWilliam George "Billy" Rogell was an American baseball player who played 14 years in Major League Baseball, primarily as a shortstop for the Detroit Tigers. He made his major league debut on April 14, 1925 and played his last game August 25, 1940...
.... Himself - interviewee - Birdie Tebbets .... Himself - interviewee (as George 'Birdie' Tebbetts)
- Ernie HarwellErnie HarwellWilliam Earnest "Ernie" Harwell was an American sportscaster, known for his long career calling play-by-play of Major League Baseball games. For 55 years, 42 of them with the Detroit Tigers, Harwell called the action on radio and/or television...
.... Himself - interviewee - Elden AukerElden AukerElden le Roy Auker was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball noted for his submarine pitching style....
.... Himself - interviewee (as Eldon Auker) - Dick SchaapDick SchaapRichard Jay Schaap was an American sportswriter, broadcaster, and author.-Early life and education:...
.... Himself - interviewee - Goose GoslinGoose GoslinLeon Allen "Goose" Goslin was a left fielder in Major League Baseball known for his powerful left-handed swing and dependable clutch hitting. He played 18 seasons with the Washington Senators, St. Louis Browns, and Detroit Tigers, from until...
.... Himself (archive footage) - Dizzy DeanDizzy DeanJay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the last National League pitcher to win 30 games in one season. Dean was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953....
.... Himself (archive footage) - Harvey Frank .... Himself - interviewee
- Marilyn Greenberg .... Herself - interviewee
- Harriet Colman .... Herself - interviewee
- Alva Greenberg .... Herself - interviewee
- Mickey CochraneMickey CochraneGordon Stanley "Mickey" Cochrane was a professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers...
.... Himself - interviewee - Charlie GrimmCharlie GrimmCharles John Grimm , nicknamed "Jolly Cholly", was a first baseman and manager in Major League Baseball best known for his years with the Chicago Cubs; he was also a sometime radio broadcaster, and a popular goodwill ambassador for baseball...
.... Himself - interviewee (archive footage) - Michael MoriartyMichael MoriartyMichael Moriarty is an American-Canadian actor of stage and screen, and a jazz musician. He played Benjamin Stone for four seasons on the TV series Law & Order.-Early life:...
.... Himself - interviewee - Max Lapides .... Himself - interviewee
- Gabby HartnettGabby HartnettCharles Leo "Gabby" Hartnett was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played almost his entire career in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Chicago Cubs. Until the career of Johnny Bench, Hartnett was considered the greatest catcher in the history of the National League...
.... Himself (archive footage) - Joe LouisJoe LouisJoseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time...
.... Himself (archive footage) - Shirley PovichShirley PovichShirley Lewis Povich was an American sports columnist and reporter for the Washington Post.-Biography:Povich's parents were Jewish immigrants from Lithuania...
.... Himself - interviewee - Al RosenAl RosenAlbert Leonard Rosen , nicknamed "Al", "Flip", and the "Hebrew Hammer", is a former American professional baseball player who was a third baseman and right-handed slugger in the Major Leagues for ten seasons in tthe 1940s and 1950s.He played his entire 10-year career with the Cleveland Indians in...
.... Himself (archive footage) - Rip CollinsRip CollinsHarry Warren Collins was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees , Boston Red Sox , Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Browns . Collins batted and threw right-handed...
.... Himself - interviewee - Tommy BridgesTommy BridgesThomas Jefferson Davis Bridges was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career with the Detroit Tigers from 1930 to 1946...
.... Himself (archive footage) - Joe DiMaggioJoe DiMaggioJoseph Paul "Joe" DiMaggio , nicknamed "Joltin' Joe" and "The Yankee Clipper," was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career for the New York Yankees. He is perhaps best known for his 56-game hitting streak , a record that still stands...
.... Himself (archive footage) - Jane Briggs Hart .... Herself - interviewee
- Harry Eisenstat .... Himself - interviewee
- Bob FellerBob FellerOn December 8, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service...
.... Himself - interviewee (also archive footage) - Hoot Robinson .... Himself - interviewee
- Rudy YorkRudy YorkPreston Rudolph York was a Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Athletics . York was born in Ragland, Alabama...
.... Himself (archive footage) - Hal NewhouserHal NewhouserHarold "Prince Hal" Newhouser was an American pitcher for Major League Baseball who played 17 seasons from 1939 to 1955, mostly with the Detroit Tigers of the American League...
.... Himself - interviewee - Barney McCoskyBarney McCoskyWilliam Barney McCosky was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. From 1939 through 1953, he played for the Detroit Tigers , Philadelphia Athletics , Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians . McCosky batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
.... Himself - interviewee - Bobo NewsomBobo NewsomLouis Norman Newsom was an American starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. Also known as "Buck", Newsom played for a number of teams from 1929 through 1953...
.... Himself (archive footage) (as 'Buck' Newsom) - Paul DerringerPaul DerringerSamuel Paul Derringer was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for three National League teams from 1931 to 1945, primarily the Cincinnati Reds....
.... Himself (archive footage) - Junior Thompson .... Himself (archive footage)
- Bucky WaltersBucky WaltersWilliam Henry "Bucky" Walters was an American Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Walters played for the Boston Braves , Boston Red Sox , Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds...
.... Himself (archive footage) - Franklin Delano Roosevelt .... Himself (also radio broadcast) (archive footage)
- Del BakerDel BakerDelmer David Baker was an American catcher, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. As a manager, he led the 1940 Detroit Tigers to the American League pennant...
.... Himself - interviewee - Arn TellemArn TellemArn H. Tellem is a sports agent notable for his representation of basketball and baseball players. He is the principal of WMG Management, a part of the Wasserman Media Group headed by Casey Wasserman. Since 2009 he has written a weekly sports column for The Huffington Post...
.... Himself - interviewee - Barney RossBarney RossBarney Ross , born Beryl David Rosofsky, was a world champion boxer in three weight divisions and decorated veteran of World War II.-Early life:...
.... Himself (archive footage) - Caral Gimbel .... Herself - interviewee
- Glenn Greenberg .... Himself - interviewee
- Sander Levin .... Himself - interviewee (as Congressman Sander Levin)
- Walter Briggs, Jr.Walter Briggs, Jr.Walter Owen Briggs, Jr. was an American Major League Baseball executive...
.... Himself (archive footage) (as Walter 'Spike' Briggs r.) - Walter Briggs, Sr. .... Himself (archive footage)
- Albert 'Happy' Chandler .... Himself (archive footage) (as Happy Chandler)
- Bill ShusterBill ShusterWilliam Shuster is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party. He is a son of former Congressman Bud Shuster.-Early life, education and career:...
.... Himself (archive footage) - Steve O'NeillSteve O'NeillStephen Francis O'Neill was an American catcher, manager, coach and scout in Major League Baseball.Born to Irish immigrants in Minooka, Pennsylvania , O'Neill was one of six brothers who escaped a life in the coal mines by playing in the major leagues...
.... Himself (archive footage) - Paul Richards .... Himself (archive footage)
- Virgil TrucksVirgil TrucksVirgil Oliver Trucks is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1941 through 1958, Trucks played for the Detroit Tigers , St. Louis Browns , Chicago White Sox , Kansas City Athletics and New York Yankees . He batted and threw right-handed...
.... Himself - interviewee - George KellGeorge KellGeorge Clyde Kell was an American baseball third baseman who played for the Philadelphia Athletics , Detroit Tigers , Boston Red Sox , Chicago White Sox , and Baltimore Orioles in the American League, who went on to become a baseball broadcaster for 40 years.-Playing career:In college, Kell...
.... Himself - interviewee - Billy HermanBilly HermanWilliam Jennings Bryan "Billy" Herman was an American second baseman in Major League Baseball during the 1930s and 1940s. He was known for his stellar defense and consistent batting...
.... Himself (archive footage) (as Billy Hermann) - Jackie RobinsonJackie RobinsonJack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
.... Himself (archive footage) - Kenesaw M. Landis .... Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Connie Mack .... Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Maury PovichMaury PovichMaurice Richard "Maury" Povich is an American TV talk show host who currently hosts his self-titled talk show Maury.-Personal background:...
.... Himself - interviewee (uncredited) - Babe RuthBabe RuthGeorge Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
.... Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
Awards
- 2001 Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards - "Best Feature Documentary"
- 2001 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards - "Best Documentary" (tied with The Filth and the Fury (2000))
- 2001 Columbus International Film & Video Festival - "Silver Chris Award - Religion"
- 2001 Florida Film Critics Circle Awards - "Best Documentary"
- 1998 Hamptons International Film Festival - "Audience Award for Most Popular Documentary (Aviva Kempner) tied with Red, White & Yellow (1998)"
- 2001 Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards - "Best Documentary"
- 2000 Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards - "Sierra Award for Best Documentary"
- 2000 National Board of Review, USA - "Best Documentary"
- 2001 National Society of Film Critics Awards, USA - "Best Documentary"
- 2000 New York Film Critics Circle Awards - "Best Non-Fiction Film"
- 2001 Peabody Award
- 1999 Washington Jewish Film Festival - "Audience Award for Documentary (Aviva Kempner)"
Books
- The Baseball Talmud: The Definitive Position-by-Position Ranking of Baseball's Chosen Players, Howard Megdal, Collins, 2009, ISBN 0061558435
- The New Big Book of Jewish Baseball: An Illustrated Encyclopedia & Anecdotal History, Peter S. Horvitz, Joachim Horvitz, Perseus Distribution Services, 2007, ISBN 1561718211
- Jews and Baseball: Entering the American mainstream, 1871-1948, Burton Alan Boxerman, Benita W. Boxerman, McFarland, 2006, ISBN 0786428287
- The Big Book of Jewish Baseball: An Illustrated Encyclopedia & Anecdotal History, Peter S. Horvitz, Joachim Horvitz, SP Books, 2001, ISBN 1561719730
- The Jewish Baseball Hall of Fame: a Who's Who of Baseball Stars, Erwin Lynn, Shapolsky Publishers, 1986, ISBN 0933503172
- Jewish Baseball Stars, Harold Uriel Ribalow, Meir Z. Ribalow, Hippocrene Books, 1984, ISBN 0882548980