The day Hank Greenberg became a soldier

In 1940, outfielder Greenberg had won his second MVP award, leading the Tigers to the American League pennant. He registered with the Selective Service system after the season, and said, "I have no intention of trying to get out of military training."

During spring training in 1941, the physician who conducted the players' checkups reported that the 30-year-old Greenberg had flat feet. He recommended a 1-B classification, meaning available for limited service only. But a review board determined that Greenberg was fit to serve.

On May 6, 1941, his last day before joining the Army, Greenberg hit two home runs as the Tigers beat the Yankees 7-4. Each landed high in the upper deck of the pavilion in left-center.

There had been rumors that Greenberg would request a one-day delay in his induction so that he could attend the May 7 pennant-raising ceremony at Briggs Stadium to honor the Tigers' 1940 American League championship, and he was accused of seeking extra privileges. In fact, he made no such request, and when the draft board offered one day of grace, he declined the opportunity.

"Greenberg has been the subject of more fake rumors and false gossip than any other ball player that we can recall off-hand," wrote Detroit News baseball columnist H.G. Salsinger. Above, Greenberg's teammates congratulate him after he hit his first home run of the game.

Briggs Stadium workers present Greenberg with a gift on his last day before induction. His salary from the Tigers ended with his last game, as Major League rules said any player called to Army service automatically is placed on the voluntarily retired list.

Reporters and photographers crowd around Greenberg in the locker room.

Greenberg can't get any privacy on his last day as a Detroit Tiger.

Greenberg shakes hands with Tigers first baseman Rudy York. Greenberg, a longtime first baseman, had agreed to move to left field in 1940 to make room in the lineup for York.

Greenberg chats with the media at his locker while getting dressed.

Greenberg takes one last look at his uniform before he has to relinquish it. He would be one of only five Major Leaguers to enter the armed forces during the 1941 season, before America entered the war.

Greenberg turns in his uniform to manager Delmar Baker.

Greenberg shakes hands with team owner Walter Briggs Sr. on his last day.

The following day, it was a media event as Greenberg reported to the U.S. Army Induction Center in Detroit along with 300 other men. "Greenberg a rookie again" read the headline in The Detroit News.

The "selectees," as they were called, go through the line, signing documents, getting a temporary identification tag and taking aptitude tests.

An Army doctor examines Greenberg's throat. .

A thumbprint is taken.

Greenberg and the rest of the selectees take an oath to serve as they are formally inducted. "If there's any last message to be given to the public," he told the Sporting News, "let it be that I'm going to be a good soldier."

The recruits walk to the train station that will take them to Fort Custer near Battle Creek, where more than 300,000 troops would train during World War II. During the train ride, the ex-Tiger slept, read a magazine and posed for ubiquitous photographers who boarded at way stops.

When the transport trucks from the train station arrive at Fort Custer, autograph-seeking servicemen enthusiastically greet the Tigers star. The procession to the reception center was held up while Greenberg once again accommodated the news reels and press photographers.

After the reception committee gets a look at Greenberg, the newcomers get their first taste of Army life.

Greenberg dons his Army uniform for the first time. "He was issued the regulation $112 worth of clothing," The Detroit News reported, noting that he was given a size 44 jacket and the largest raincoat they had.

Greenberg ties his size 10 1/2 D Army boots.

He practices making a bed the Army way.

Greenberg gets to know Carl Hendrickson, who has the next cot. "I don't want any favors," Greenberg told one new acquaintance. "I want to be treated same as anybody else."

It's chow time in the mess hall. Greenberg's first meal consisted of vegetable soup, baked spare ribs, mashed potatoes, beans, cream gravy, cabbage and carrot salad, fruit salad, cottage cheese, bread, butter and coffee.

Greenberg sleeps -- or at least pretends to -- on his Army cot.

Greenberg was assigned as an anti-tank gunner, and was a sergeant by November 1941, when he rode in a gun carrier at an Armistice Day parade in Detroit.

Greenberg was discharged from the Army in early December 1941, as were all men over 28. But two days later Pearl Harbor was attacked, and Greenberg voluntarily re-enlisted and requested to be assigned to the Army Air Corps.

"We are in trouble," he said, "and there is only one thing for me to do -- return to the service. This doubtless means I am finished with baseball and it would be silly for me to say I do not leave it without a pang. But all of us are confronted with a terrible task -- the defense of our country and the fight for our lives."

Greenberg would serve for 47 months, the longest of any Major Leaguer, and rise to the rank of Army Air Force captain. He graduated from the Army's school for special services and was assigned to the first group of Boeing B-29 Superfortresses to go overseas. He spent six months in India and later served in China.

Greenberg was discharged on June 14, 1945. He was 34 years old, and had not played baseball in four years, but by July 1 he was back in the Tigers lineup.

He homered in his first game back, and hit a grand slam that clinched the pennant for the Tigers. In 78 games, he batted .311, hit 13 homers and drove in 60 runs -- one of the most remarkable comebacks ever.

In the 1945 World Series, Greenberg batted .304 and hit two homers as the Tigers beat the Chicago Cubs in seven games.