Braun hits the first of 3 HRs (Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
By Scott Barancik/Jewish Baseball News
When Ryan Braun smashed three HRs against the San Diego Padres on Monday night (see video), Jewish baseball fans everywhere celebrated.
Here are a few more reasons to be proud:
- The Milwaukee Brewers right fielder is just the fifth Jewish player since 1918 to homer 3 or more times in a 9-inning game, and the first to do so in nearly 10 years.
Players with 3+ HRs in a 9-inning game, since 1918
| Name | Team | Date | HRs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Braun | Milwaukee Brewers | 4/30/2012 | 3 | Went 4-for-5 with a triple, 6 RBIs, and 15 total bases |
| Mike Lieberthal | Philadelphia Phillies | 8/10/2002 | 3 | Went 4-for-5 with a single and 4 RBIs |
| Shawn Green | Los Angeles Dodgers | 5/23/2002 | 4 | Went 6-for-6 with a single, double, 7 RBIs, and 19 total bases |
| Shawn Green | Los Angeles Dodgers | 8/15/2001 | 3 | Went 3-for-5 with 7 RBIs |
| Mike Epstein | Washington Senators | 5/16/1969 | 3 | Went 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs |
| Al Rosen | Cleveland Indians | 4/29/1952 | 3 | Went 4-6 with a single, walk, and 7 RBIs |
- Hank Greenberg, who leads all Jewish players with 331 career HRs, never had a 3-HR game. He did hit two HRs in a game 35 times.
- Thanks to an added triple Monday night, Braun finished with 15 total bases. The last time a major-leaguer had 15 or more total bases in a 9-inning game? Nearly 8 years ago, when Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals hit 3 HRs, a double, and a single against the very same San Diego Padres (7/20/2004).
- Monday night’s game took place in a venue — San Diego’s Petco Park — that is unfriendly to HRs, though much more so to lefties than righties. As this article points out, the Padres as a team hit just 6 HRs in their first 14 home games this season. Braun matched half that number in just one game. (Thanks to Jewish Baseball News contributor Jack W. for the tip.)
- Monday’s performance vaulted Braun into a tie for 2nd-most HRs in the National League this season, behind Matt Kemp’s 12 dingers. The Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder finished 2nd to Braun in last year’s N.L. MVP vote.
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