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| OHCC LIVING | NOVEMBER 2022 | 27 Yiddish Club The Yiddish Club is making plans for our Chanukah deli luncheon and entertainment extravaganza! Come join us on Sun., Dec. 18, at 12 noon in Abravanel Hall. In the following article, our Board member, Harv Jaffe, recounts the involvement of Jewish athletes in baseball. Take Me Out to the Ballgame: How many Jews have contributed to Baseball–America's Great Pastime? Fall brings baseball playoff season, so we're looking back at how Jews have contributed to America's great game. Lipman Pike, recorded as the first professional baseball player, was born to Dutch Jewish parents in New York in 1845. He began playing baseball in the streets of NYC, and at age 21, agreed to play for the Philadelphia Athletics for $20 per week. That year, he belted six home runs in one game, establishing his reputation as America's first great slugger. Pike played for several professional teams until retiring in 1881, with a lifetime .322 batting average. Pike was one of six Jews who played pro ball before 1901, the year considered the start of what is now known as Major League Baseball. Since then, 173 Jews have played in the majors out of 17,965 athletes in the big leagues, according to information compiled by Jewish Baseball News. This again confirms that Jews have comprised about 1% of all big-league players, less than half of Jews proportion of America's population (about 2.5%) during the past 120 years. Who are the greatest Jewish baseball players of all time? Here are the consensus members of the All-Time Jewish All-Star Team, as compiled by Jewish Baseball News: 1B – Hank Greenberg (1911-1986), Detroit Tigers 1930-47, hit 58 home runs in 1938. Hall of Famer. 2B – Ian Kinsler (1982-), 14-year career, hit 257 homers for five teams, 4-time All Star, played for Team Israel in 2020 Olympics, now a member of San Diego Padres advisory staff. SS—Alex Bregman (1994-), Averaging 30 home runs/season for Houston Astros; All Star MVP, 2018. 3B—Al Rosen (1924-2015), Cleveland Indians AL MVP-1953. Served as Pres/CEO of NY Yankees (1970's) and Houston Astros (1980s). Hall of Famer. LF—Shawn Green (1972-), hit 328 home runs during 15-year career mainly for Dodgers, Blue Jays and Mets. Two-time All Star, 1999 and 2002. CF—Ryan Braun (1983-), 14-year career all with Milwaukee Brewers. First Jew to win Rookie of the Year, 2007. Six-time All Star, NL MVP 2011, 352 home runs, lifetime batting average .296. RF—Sid Gordon (1917-1975), 13 seasons with NY Giants and Boston Braves. Brooklyn born, hit 202 home runs and lifetime batting average .283. C—Harry Danning (1911-2004), entire career with New York Giants, four time All Star. P—Sandy Koufax (1935-), signed for $4000 bonus by Brooklyn Dodgers 1955, won 165 games, 4 no-hitters, one Perfect Game 1965 vs. Chicago Cubs, 3-time Cy Young winner 1963, 1965 and 1966. The premier pitcher in baseball 1961-1966. Retired at age 30 in 1966, after developing arthritis in his elbow. Hall of Famer. Forward by: Elaine Massei, President Article by: Harv Jaffe, Board Member