I’ve done a few Hank Greenberg cards. Like this limited 1936 one a long time ago. Or this 1934 card. And even this 1935 monster card. Funny though, I don’t recall featuring the card representing his real monster season.
So here you go…
This was the year Hank Greenberg proved that Babe Ruth wasn’t the only the big slugger in the American League. He clobbered 58 homers in 1938 for the Detroit Tigers. He also led the league in run scored with 143 while driving in 147. His 119 walks were an AL-best that year.
On top of all that, Greenberg batted a nifty .315. It was a tough year in MVP voting for him though. Hank had to compete against a worthy adversary. Jimmie Foxx, who I have written about, hit 50 of his own homeruns and drove in 175 runs and took the MVP award.
| Split | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 Totals | 155 | 681 | 556 | 144 | 175 | 23 | 4 | 58 | 147 | 8 | 119 | 93 | .315 | .438 | .684 |
Hummin’ about Hank
One look at this card and the first thing APBA fans are going to notice are the triple ones. The league I’m in would call it ‘BTR’ as in ‘Better Than Ruth’.
Hank Greenberg’s 1938 APBA card has power numbers 1-1-1-4-6. He received a 55-8 but by virtue of seven steals, he also has a 15-10.
Greenberg’s ’38 card has a total of six 14s from his league-leading 119 base-on-balls. Long-time readers know that one thing I really like about monster cards is when they have non-out numbers where out numbers usually are. Greenberg sports a 21-14, a 23-37, a 63-41 and a 64-14.
He’ll keep the rally going, that’s for sure. I love this card!
It doesn’t hurt that Hammerin’ Hank is rated as a 1B-4 which is a very solid defensive rating for a firstbaseman. Watch out for those two 24s though!
Thanks to Pastor Rich for this card so long ago!
Are we not going to mention the 1-11-11 birthday?
Yes of course. He’s got ones all over his card. I posted his card on New Year’s Day (1/1) a while back.