Antisemitism has appeared at different points throughout Major League Baseball’s history. Over the last century, Jewish players have faced insults, exclusion, and barriers that challenged their full participation in the sport. Despite this hostility, many Jewish athletes rose above prejudice and made lasting contributions to baseball.

Among them, Hank Greenberg stands as one of the most powerful symbols of resilience and excellence. His story, especially during the pivotal year of 1938, remains one of the most striking examples of how a player confronted both athletic pressure and bigotry during one of the darkest moments in global history.

The Legacy of Hank Greenberg: Power, Identity, and Resistance

A Hall of Famer Under Fire

Henry Benjamin Greenberg was born in New York on January 1, 1911, and died on September 4, 1986. Known as “Hammerin’ Hank,” “Hankus Pankus,” and “The Hebrew Hammer,” he became one of the greatest power hitters of all time. Playing primarily for the Detroit Tigers as a first baseman, he earned two MVP awards (1935 and 1940) and secured his place among baseball’s most dominant sluggers.

Yet his achievements came with a price. Greenberg endured relentless antisemitic taunts from opposing players and fans. As one of the few Jewish athletes in the league, his faith and identity often became targets of abuse. Still, he refused to let discrimination define his career.

Another iconic example of this struggle emerged later with Sandy Koufax, who chose not to pitch on Yom Kippur during the 1965 World Series. Even then, Koufax faced criticism from some fans—including those of his own team—simply for honoring his faith. These examples illustrate the longstanding tension between religious identity and public expectations in baseball.

The Summer of 1938: Antisemitism, Baseball, and the Shadow of Nazism

A Turning Point in Sports and History

The year 1938 marked a decisive moment not only for baseball but for the world. Antisemitism was rising across Europe, and the Nazi regime threatened democracies and the Jewish people. In the United States, Greenberg found himself battling prejudice inside one of the most antisemitic cities in the country—Detroit.

Coming off an outstanding 1937 season in which he hit 40 home runs with a .337 average, Greenberg’s performance meant far more than statistics. For Jewish communities across America, he symbolized pride, dignity, and resistance at a time when Jews abroad were being persecuted.

Ron Kaplan’s Contribution

Writer Ron Kaplan examined this moment in his book Hank Greenberg in 1938: Hate and Home Runs in the Shadow of War. He highlighted how Greenberg carried not only the expectations of Detroit fans but also the hopes of countless Jews living under the shadow of Nazi oppression.

Kaplan noted:
“Despite being one of the few Jews in the game, playing in one of the most anti-Semitic cities in the country, Greenberg was trying to break Babe Ruth’s home run record. While the crowds loved him and much of the country cheered him on, some didn’t want to see a Jew claim the mighty Babe’s crown.”

Chasing History: Greenberg’s Pursuit of Ruth

A Battle on and off the Field

In 1938, Greenberg came within two home runs of matching Babe Ruth’s 1927 record of 60 home runs. He finished the season with 58. During that era, many figures in MLB—including commissioners—were strongly opposed to seeing Ruth’s record fall. This resistance resurfaced decades later with Roger Maris in 1961, who also endured enormous pressure as he approached the milestone.

Some pitchers intentionally walked Greenberg to stop him from breaking the record, but he refused to use antisemitism as an excuse. His determination and mental discipline made him a symbol of character in an era dominated by intolerance.

Greenberg vs. the Nazis: A Personal Stand for Justice

From the Ballpark to the Battlefield

In 1941, Greenberg made another historic decision: he paused his baseball career to enlist in the U.S. Army. He joined the fight against Nazi Germany, demonstrating that his courage extended far beyond the baseball diamond.

Many MLB players were drafted or enlisted during World War II. Some never returned home. Greenberg served for four seasons and returned to baseball in 1945, resuming his career with the Tigers.

His service remains one of the most powerful acts of solidarity from a professional athlete during the war.

A Legacy of Courage and Inclusion

Lessons from Greenberg’s Fight Against Hate

Hank Greenberg’s journey continues to resonate today. His confrontation with antisemitism serves as a reminder of the need to defend inclusion and respect in every sphere of society. The prejudices that existed in 1938 have not completely disappeared. Yet Greenberg’s bravery inspires ongoing efforts to build a more just and equitable world.

His story stands as an enduring testament to resilience: a man who refused to be defeated by hatred, who excelled at the highest level of his sport, and who literally went to war against the regime that embodied the antisemitism he had fought on American soil.

Conclusion

Hank Greenberg is more than a baseball legend. He is a symbol of resistance, dignity, and moral courage. His 1938 season remains one of the most meaningful chapters in baseball history, not only for his athletic performance but for what it represented in a world shadowed by hatred.

His legacy reminds us that sports are never separate from the moral struggles of their time and that one player’s courage can inspire generations.