Richard Schickel
He was a large, good-natured, hardworking man whose competitive heart transcended even his impressive baseball stats. More than his great contemporaries Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams, it was, a teammate says, Hank Greenberg you wanted at bat in the clutch. He was also, of course, the first great Jewish sports hero, at a time when anti-Semitism was open and virulent, and he carried that burden with exemplary grace too. His bat spoke for his people, and many boys of summer, now grown old, return that favor in this documentary’s fond recollections. Sharing its subject’s virtues, it is a lovely addition to the annals of the Greatest Generation.
–By Richard Schickel
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Melinda French Gates Is Going It Alone
- How to Buy Groceries Without Breaking the Bank
- What’s the Best Pillow Setup for Sleep?
- How Improv Comedy Can Help Resolve Conflicts
- 4 Signs Your Body Needs a Break
- The 15 Best Movies to Watch on a Plane
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com