I periodically get asked what the most viewed posts have been, and I recently got such an inquiry
from Mike G. of Corning, New York. So today's series will be a countdown to number one.
Coming in at number 10 is a locker room shot of Hank Greenberg of the Detroit Tigers.
Mr. Greenberg served two hitches in the U.S. Army during World War II with a break
in between to play a season with the Tigers. This photo is believed to have been made
during that interval, hence the servicemen, one of whom appears to be a reporter.
They really, genuinely, couldn't have given a damn, could they. There's a shot of me, naked, in the changing room, talking to my coach, Bone Dome, knocking around. We were all so relaxed about it all that I can't even recall the picture being taken, nor when there were photographers or cameras in the changing rooms.
ReplyDeleteDifferent times.
DeleteOne of my most favorite pictures, ever.
ReplyDeleteSB Dan
Me, too!
DeleteAh, as things used to be.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting series, specifically because I don't remember eight of these images. #10 is one of my all-time favorite photographic images. Everyone looks so relaxed. I wonder if there are more photographs from that moment in time. Good work, Jerry.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leroy! I think there were other photos taken that day, but none have even nearly the impact of this one.
DeleteJust to be precise...the soldier on the left is an enlisted man, the "reporter" is a colonel. Why a bird colonel would be interviewing is beyond me, but my guess is that he requested the assignment since was a big fan of the team and the player.-Dee Exx
ReplyDeleteThe photo was taken by LIFE photographer Frank Scherschel as part of a photo set called "World Series Finale" in 1945. It can be precisely dated, since it depicts Greenberg celebrating the Tigers' win over the Cubs to win the World Series on Oct. 10, 1945.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, this was after he was discharged from the Army for the second time on June 14, 1945, so it was not between his two hitches in the Army.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the details and the time line correction, Larry.
Delete