The Pittsburgh Press (May 7, 1941)
HANK GREENBERG IN ARMY, ‘PREFERS RANK AND FILE’
…
$50,000-a-year star of Tigers, tired of long controversy over deferment, inducted in Detroit – turns down first chance of promotion
…
Hank Greenberg being sworn in.
Detroit, May 7 (UP) –
Hank Greenberg today changed from a $50,000-a-year baseball player into a $21-a-month “buck private” in Uncle Sam’s Army and turned down the first chance of promotion offered him.
Early this morning when the big star of the Detroit Tigers reported, with 49 others, to his draft board, Chairman Ben O. Shepherd asked him if he would lead the group to the U.S. Army Induction Center, a mile walk from downtown. Greenberg replied:
No, I’d rather not. I prefer to be in the rank-and-file just now.
There was one disturbance while Greenberg and other selectees signed papers and listened to farewell advice by the Draft Board officials. Archie Moss, 35-year-old plumber, arose to protest that photographers were taking Greenberg’s picture, but were ignoring the others.
Mr. Moss was photographed, and sat down with the comment:
I’m not mad at anyone, but I just thought we ought to get some attention, too.
Accompanying Greenberg to the Draft Board headquarters was Billy Sullivan, Tigers catcher, and close personal friend of the 6’4" outfielder. Greenberg wore a light brown suit without a vest, and tan shoes. His only luggage was a light grip.
He was greeted by William H. Wells, chief clerk of the board, and the three board members, who had turned down a recommendation by a Lakeland, Fla., physician that Greenberg be deferred because of flat feet. By their order, he had been sent to Detroit Draft Board physicians, who reported that “feet strong enough to patrol an outfield were good enough for marching.”
Greenberg joked with reporters and again said he hoped to be treated “just like any other soldier.”
Greenberg’s Draft Board offered to postpone his induction until tomorrow, so he could be on the field today when the American League pennant is hoisted above Briggs Stadium. But, Greenberg declined to accept, claiming:
It might look like I’m getting a favor.
Greenberg’s first day in the Army takes him to Fort Custer, Mich., a reception center and home of the 5th Division.
Reporting to his draft board, with 49 others, early this morning, Greenberg went to an induction center for more medical tests. He will go to the camp later in the day.
Other athletes in camp
Greenberg either will be assigned to the 5th Division at Custer or the 32nd Division at Camp Livingston, La., according to Lt. Col. Hammond D. Birks, in charge of the reception center.
If he remains at Fort Custer, Greenberg’s teammates on the camp baseball team would include Gene Stack, former White Sox pitcher from Saginaw, Mich., Bob Ogle, third baseman from the Florida State, Cotton States and Michigan State Leagues; Truman Connell, former first baseman of the Cleveland Indians, and Jack Egan, Battle Creek, a catcher. His “coach” would be Capt. George Zegolis, former Wayne University player.
The Greenberg-Draft Board controversy was one “Hammerin’ Hank” was happy to leave behind. For months, since he asked his Draft Board whether he might postpone his service until the end of the season, his case has been gone over pro and con. It got on Greenberg’s nerves.
Hits farewell homers
Against the Yankees yesterday, he said “goodbye” to the fans by stepping into a 2–0 pitch in the second inning and driving it high into the left field stands. In the next inning, Hank, with one on, poled another homer over the fence. These were Greenberg’s first homers of this season.
He ended his part of the Tigers’ effort to keep the league championship with a .268 batting average, 18 hits in 67 times at bat. These included the two homers, four doubles and a triple. Last year when he was voted “the most valuable player,” he had led in homers, doubles and runs batted in and had a .340 percentage.
Replacing Greenberg in left field, until he returns from the Army, will be Robert (Ned) Harris, 24-year-old rookie from Beaumont, Texas League, who made an impression on Manager Del Baker in spring training. He batted .312 with Beaumont.