Hank Greenberg hit 58 home runs in 1938, but the last four games in Cleveland he didn’t hit any, managing to hit only a double. All the sportswriters were in attendance, thinking that this might be the year that Babe Ruth’s record would fall, but Hank didn’t make it. He finished his career in Pittsburgh in 1947. When they cut down the left field fence and installed a bull pen, that area became known as Greenberg Gardens because Hank would hit mammoth home runs that would land there. Later, that area became known as Kiner’s Korner. Hank took Ralph Kiner under his wing and gave him the necessary tutelage to enable Ralph to rise to unheralded stardom of his own.

Hank had a lifetime batting average of .313, a lifetime on-base percentage of .412, a lifetime slugging percentage of .605, and 331 lifetime home runs. He led the American League four times in home runs and, in addition to being an MVP, drove in 100 or more RBIs in a season seven times in his career.

Hank became the general manager of the Indians, taking over for Bill Veeck, and Ralph finished his playing career with Cleveland as well. Hank’s sons became friends with my sons, and they went to private school together. Hank’s death saddened me. I always regarded him as a great person, which was even more important to me than his great ballplayer status.

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