By Scott Barancik, Editor
Game 4 of the the 2017 World Series produced yet another record, says The Jewish Baseball Card Book author Bob Wechsler.
In his team’s 6-2 win yesterday, Los Angeles Dodgers DH Joc Pederson hit a 3-run home run in the top of the 9th to pad a one-run lead. The 410-foot drive to right center came on an 0-1 pitch, a 94.4-mph fastball from Houston’s Joe Musgrove. It was Pederson’s second home run and third extra-base hit in just nine at-bats this World Series.
In the bottom half of the inning, Astros 3B Alex Bregman got in on the fun with a solo home run to dead left. The 352-foot shot came on a 1-2 pitch, an 81.9-mph slider from Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen. It was Bregman’s second home run of the Series.
It was the first game in World Series history that two Jewish players homered.
Pederson and Bregman aren’t just outperforming their Jewish forebears. They’re also outperforming their peers. So far this Series, they are two of only three players to hit 2 home runs. (Houston’s George Springer is the third.)
HR leaders, 2017 World Series (thru Game 4)
Some other facts about Bregman and Pederson in this year’s World Series, as noted previously:
- The last time two Jewish players took the field was the 2011 World Series, when Ian Kinsler and Scott Feldman played for the Texas Rangers.
- The last time two Jewish players were on opposite teams was the 2004 World Series, when Gabe Kapler‘s Boston Red Sox defeated Jason Marquis‘s St. Louis Cardinals in four games.
- When Bregman homered off Cy Young Award candidate Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 of the current Series, it was the first Jewish home run in a Series since All-Star pitcher Ken Holtzman shocked Athletics fans with a home run in Game 4 of Oakland’s 1974 matchup against the Dodgers.
- When Pederson homered to break up a no-hitter in Game 2 of this year’s Series, it was the first Jewish home run since…Game 1.
- Game 2 was the first time in World Series history that two different Jewish players had RBIs.
- Pederson and Bregman are the first Jewish duo to homer at least twice apiece in a Series.
Here’s what Bregman had to say after last night’s loss about preparing for Game 5:
And here’s Pederson on his home run and getting used to playing DH:
Tied 2-2, the Series resumes tonight with Game 5 in Houston.
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