By Scott Barancik, editor Team Israel has several household names on its expanded Olympic roster, including former Major League stars Danny Valencia and Ian Kinsler. Minor legal issues. however, have prevented the organization from printing any names on its branded clothing. That is, until now. In a move backers hope will goose sales — and…
By Scott Barancik, editor Team Israel beat long odds to earn a spot in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Qualifying tournaments were conquered. More than a dozen Jewish American ballplayers obtained Israeli citizenship in order to participate. The payoff will be national pride — and, hopefully, an awakening to the beauty of baseball. The team’s 24…
By Scott Barancik, editor (NOTE: This article was updated on March 6, 2021.) At least 15 least Jewish players are participating in Spring Training with a Major League team this season. Some are familiar names, including LF Joc Pederson (Cubs), CF Kevin Pillar (Mets), 3B Alex Bregman (Astros) and P Richard Bleier (Marlins). Both Pederson…
By Scott Barancik When Israel and the United Arab Emirates inked the Abraham Accords last year, the two countries pledged to “provide all children a better future.” Who knew the plan would include baseball? Today, the Israel Association of Baseball and the Dubai Little League announced a forthcoming competition for their 12-and-under national teams. The…
By Scott Barancik, Editor Two undrafted collegians have signed contracts with MLB teams. Matt Mervis of Duke University was picked up by the Chicago Cubs this month. A two-way ballplayer who bats left but throws right, Mervis was co-captain of the Blue Devils during the abbreviated 2020 season, hitting .304 while leading the team in…
By Scott Barancik, Editor This year’s MLB draft is limited to just five rounds versus the normal 40, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and related financial concerns. But that didn’t prevent a Jewish player from cracking Round 1. Yesterday, the Atlanta Braves chose lefty Jared Shuster with the 25th overall pick. A native of New…
By Scott Barancik, Editor If you could assemble the greatest Jewish baseball team of all time, who would you pick to play? On June 21, Jewish fans around the world will get to watch live as five celebrity duos — including Team Israel member and former MLB All-Star Ian Kinsler — compete to select the…
By Scott Barancik, Editor A veteran oddsmaker wouldn’t have taken the bet. A Hollywood producer wouldn’t have entertained such a preposterous plot line. No one — except perhaps Israel Association of Baseball president Peter Kurz, the eternally optimistic uncle you might dismiss as delusional — would have believed the Israeli national baseball team could earn…
By Scott Barancik, Editor After finishing 4th in the 12-team European Championship in Germany last week, the Israeli baseball team is moving on to Italy. Starting today (9/18/2019), Israel will compete with five other countries — Netherlands, Italy, Czech Republic, South Africa and Spain — for the right to represent Europe and Africa at the…
By Scott Barancik, Editor Israel’s national baseball team, buoyed by American players who obtained dual citizenship this year, dominated France 8-2 today in the European Championships to guarantee a spot in the upcoming Olympic qualifying tournament. Israel never trailed, scoring three runs in the first inning and going ahead 7-0 before France scored its two…
By Scott Barancik, Editor Israel’s bid to play baseball in the 2020 Olympics just grew a little more believable. Danny Valencia, a 34-year-old infielder who spent nine years in the Major Leagues, obtained Israeli citizenship today and is headed to Germany to play in the European Championships later this week. The top 5 finishers in that…
By Scott Barancik, Editor Baseball journeyman Ty Kelly announced his retirement last weekend with characteristic humor, accusing retiring Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck of stealing his thunder. “Let me have my moment, Andrew,” he wrote. It turns out Kelly’s not quitting baseball entirely. The 31-year-old second baseman recently obtained Israeli citizenship and will be joining Israel’s…
By Scott Barancik, Editor Israel’s national baseball team went 6-0 last week to win its pool in the European Championship, a preliminary qualifying tournament for the 2020 Olympics. Led by tournament MVP Blake Gailen, a Triple-A prospect with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Israel’s 24-man roster ran through opponents Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria and Ireland but had…
By Scott Barancik, Editor Ryan Braun hit career home run #332 on Friday (6/7/2019) to surpass Detroit Tigers legend Hank Greenberg as the all-time Jewish leader (see list). The three-run homer was suitably majestic. Coming off a 92-mph fastball tossed by Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Nick Kingham, the 6th-inning shot traveled 419 feet to dead center…
By Scott Barancik, Editor The 2019 draft was a strong one. Our colleagues at Jewish Sports Review have identified at least 16 Jewish draftees so far and may yet find more. The class includes 9 pitchers, 4 outfielders, 2 catchers and a shortstop. Three players were selected in the first 5 rounds, all but one…
By Scott Barancik, editor It’s Opening Day of the 2019 Major League Baseball season, and Jewish Baseball News wants to welcome you to what we hope will be another great year for Members of the Tribe. One key change you’ll notice at JBN this season is the frequency of posts. In past years, Ron Kaplan…
By Scott Barancik, editor When Major League teams begin playing Spring Training games tomorrow (2/21/2019), at least 15 Jewish players will be among them. Some are familiar names, including 3B Alex Bregman (Astros), CF Kevin Pillar (Blue Jays) and 2B Ian Kinsler (Padres), who signed a two-year deal with San Diego during the offseason. Three…
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By Sam Brief, correspondent Some observers scoffed when Team Israel competed in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, noting that all but a handful of its players were American citizens. Now, Israel’s baseball dreams are about to get a bit more authentic. This fall, 10 Jewish-American ballplayers will acquire Israeli passports, making them dual American-Israeli citizens…
By Scott Barancik, Editor Nearly 148 seasons after Lip Pike hit the first Jewish home run, a new milestone was set last night. Ryan Braun’s 428-foot, 1st-inning bomb tied the record established in 2016, when six Jewish players combined for a total of 115 home runs. Later Friday evening, rookie Rowdy Tellez’s 396-foot moonshot set…
