{"product_id":"hank-on-first-how-hank-greenberg-became-a-star-on-and-off-the-field-9781681155999","title":"Hank on First! How Hank Greenberg Became a Star on and Off the Field","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"A compelling introduction to Hank Greenberg for a new generation of baseball fans.\" \u003c\/i\u003e--Kirkus Reviews\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eStory of MVP and Hall-of-Famer \"Hammerin\" Hank Greenberg, one of the greatest hitters of all time, and the first openly Jewish sports star.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Greenberg's example stood, and still stands, as inspirational for all players experiencing racial or religious prejudice.\" --Booklist\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIndiana Library Federation \"2024 Ageless Read Aloud List\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Junior Library Guild Selection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 1934 young Hank Greenberg had his dream job--playing first base for the Detroit Tigers. Unlike some other Jewish baseball players of that time, Hank had not changed his name to disguise his Jewishness--he was not going to pretend he was something he wasn't. But there were many people who did not want to see a Jewish baseball player on the field. They booed and jeered and called him names, and most of his teammates were just standing by and letting it happen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut Hank knew what he liked--baseball. So he played his best, kept quiet, and let his batting average speak for him instead.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 1934, however, when the Tigers were leading the league, both Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur fell on game days. Hank consulted a local rabbi, and decided he could play on Rosh Hashanah, a day of celebration, but refused to play on Yom Kippur. He went to synagogue services instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Tigers lost that game, and Hank was blamed by many fans. A poem in the newspaper, however, recognized Hank's achievements and that, despite everything, more people were coming to accept him as a Jewish baseball player. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"We shall miss him on the field and shall miss him at the bat. But he's true to his religion, and I honor him for that!\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn end note with historical photo explains more about Hank's baseball career as the first Jewish superstar in American team sports.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIn the face of prejudice, \"let it spur you on to greater achievement, rather than accept and be licked by it.\" --Hank Greenberg\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Apples \u0026 Honey Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50660974985490,"sku":"9781681155999","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_c9b0b6b8-4854-4407-a2f9-067afa70892f.jpg?v=1733482112","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/hank-on-first-how-hank-greenberg-became-a-star-on-and-off-the-field-9781681155999","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}