The Original Hammerin' Hank

1945 - The first of the superstars returns from the war. Hank Greenberg, gone for four years, homers in his first game following his release from the Army. Charlie Gassaway of the Athletics gives up the blow before 47,700 in a 9-5 win at Briggs Stadium.

Hank Greenberg is one of just three players in Major League history to win a Most Valuable Player Award at two different positions (first base in 1935 & left field in 1940)? Too easy? Did you know that Hammerin Hank was also the first player to hit 25 or more home runs in a season in each league, and remains the American League (AL) record-holder for most RBIs in a single season by a right-handed batter (183 in 1937, a 154-game schedule)!

The Hebrew Hammer was the first American League player to be drafted (1940), was honorably discharged (two days before Japan bombed Pearl Harbor) when the United States Congress released men aged 28 years and older from service, then re-enlisted and volunteered for service in the United States Army Air Forces, again the first major league player to do so.

Hank Greenberg was the first Jewish player elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame (1956), had his uniform number (#5) retired by the the Detroit Tigers during "Greenberg-Gehringer Day" at Tiger Stadium in 1983 (along with former teammate Charlie Gehringer who had his uniform number [#2] retired as well).

Well, we didn't have a Hank Greenberg return from the war today but we had enough players for a nice summertime three-team game.

Don Witmer managed the Hit Squad of Gonzalez, Witmer, Toro, Lopez, coffman, Marino, Wells, Abney, Bowley and Baker. They went scoreless in the first inning but that was their only zero on the board. They accumulated 8 walks over seven innings but the highlight was a homer by Sammy Lopez in the 4th. They ended the day with 21 runs.

The Sit Team's lineup was put together by Russ King and included, Constantine, Gonzalez, Reagan, King, DeRidder, Matta, D. Hill, Moots, Barnes and Strait.  But alas, they could only manage 2 runs and theonly extra base hit they had was a double contributed by Reagan. 

Frank Jacobs put together the Fielding Team's line-up of S. Hill, Smith, Butler, Jacobs, Giordano, Scarbrough, Pepin, Leggett, and Merritt.  They started off hot with a Steve Hill homer but then didn't have another extra base hit until Ron Butler's triple in the 6th. But they took the silver with 10 runs.

Key Hitters Included

• Don Witmer 3 for 4   BB
• Juan Toro 4 for 5   3-2b
• Sam Lopez 3 for 5  HR
• Kirk Coffman 3 for 4  BB
• Ritchie Marino 2 for 2 2-SAC, BB
• Bill Bowley  2 for 3 BB
• Ron Butler 3 for 5  3b
• Frank Jacobs 4 for 4
• Charlie Giordano 2 for 2 SAC, BB
• Walt Leggitt 3 for 4
• Nick Matta 1 for 2  BB
• Russ King 2 for 3
• Bob Reagan 2 for 3 2b

Don't forget that we will be playing this coming Friday morning the 4th of July.  I'm sure you'll all be home in time to fire up the grill.