The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg
As Passover approaches and my religious son and I again differ on our rituals, practices and personification of our Jewishness, I was lucky enough to catch a film called ‘The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg’.
Its a wonderful, highly recommended experience, which takes us through how Hankeous Pankeous (as he was referred to) took on the role of #1 Jewish American for an entire generation.
He didn’t ask for the role, he wasn’t religous, but he stood up for his people, his culture and the unique thing called “being a Jewish American”. The fact that he transitioned us out of the depression, through World II and into the modern era - also helped.
The fact that he partnered with Bill Veeck in owning baseball teams and applying his fame to Hollywood and entreprenuerism is even better.
But this lovng biography (written, produced and directed by his daughter) is an amazing reollection of his times, those times and how one man was able to break down the barriers that stood in front of him.
Its an allegory for all of us - whether it be ageism (which I’ve been experiencing allot lately), bigotry (which we’ll all find out about by November) or recession/depression (I hope you all have been reading the papers lately!)
There’s a wonderful part - at the end - where Greenberg helps Jackie Robinson up, after colliding at first base and tells him “hang in there kid, you’ll make it” - which Robinson later said was an inspirational moment. Greenberg’s last year in the majors was Robinson’s first.
That transition, of the handing off of the baton, is symbolic of how important Greenberg was. He’d get booed and yelled at from the seats, calling him a kike, just like Robinson was booed at and called a nigger. Most people alive today don’t know what it was like for Jews in the 20’s and 30’s and how WW II changed all that.
After the war, everyone was an American. Except (of course) if they were black, brown or yellow. This dichotomy of America is being challenged once again in this year’s election - which makes it that much more important.
So I can tell you safely that by watching this movie, a smile will come on your face, you’ll have another link in the chain of the history of the Jews in America and you’ll understand why many a Jewish kid in those days - looked up to and idealized Hank Greenberg.