The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg
7.8 /10 1 Votes7.8
Duration Initial DVD release October 16, 2001 Writer Aviva Kempner Language English | 7.6/10 IMDb Genre Documentary, Biography, Sport Running time 1h 35m Screenplay Aviva Kempner Country United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Release date 1998 (1998) Initial release January 12, 2000 (New York City) Cast Similar movies Tagline When America Needed Heroes, A Jewish Slugger Stepped To The Plate. |
Official trailer the life and times of hank greenberg
The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg is a 1998 documentary film directed, produced and written by Aviva Kempner about Hall of Fame first baseman Hank Greenberg of the Detroit Tigers. A Jewish player who chose not to play on Yom Kippur in 1934 during a heated pennant race, Greenberg experienced a great deal of antisemitism. He nearly broke Babe Ruth's 60 home run record by hitting 58 home runs in 1938.
Contents
- Official trailer the life and times of hank greenberg
- Production
- Produced by
- Directed by
- Written by
- Awards
- References

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 attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Congress released men over age 28. After the attack, Greenberg immediately reenlisted in the United States Army Air Forces.

In 1947, Hank Greenberg, as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates and playing his final season, was one of the few ballplayers to give the Brooklyn Dodgers' Jackie Robinson, the majors' first black player in many years, a warm welcome. Robinson later said, "Class tells. It sticks out all over Mr. Greenberg".
Production
Kempner states that the film took 13 years to make. "It was all about raising money for the rights to the archival and feature footage. That was so expensive that I had to stop and start about 20 times."
Produced by
Directed by
Written by
Awards
References
The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg WikipediaThe Life and Times of Hank Greenberg IMDb The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg themoviedb.org