Future Hall of Famer and one of the feared sluggers of his generation, Hank Greenberg, is born in New York City.

Greenberg’s career, like many of his era, was cut short by three years due to military service in the US Army Air Forces. He spent a dozen seasons with the Detroit Tigers, twice winning the American League’s Most Valuable Player award in 1935 and 1940. He was a four-time All-Star and hit 58 home runs in 1938. At the tail end of his career, he spent a final season in Pittsburgh, leading the league in walks with 104.

He joined the Cleveland Indians after the season as a potential bat for the 1948 team, but instead became a member of the front office. “Hammerin’ Hank” would later become the team’s general manager and part-owner from 1950 to 1957.