PASSAIC – He started his morning at the so-called Marathon Minyan on Staten Island, along with about five dozen other hopefuls. He fueled his 26-mile, 385-yard run with kosher snacks and drinks.

And though 32-year-old Martin (Mordechi) Bodek of this city did not win the Nov. 4 New York City Marathon, he completed the grueling race in four hours, 40 minutes, and nine seconds — close to his goal of 4:24 and with enough time to get to afternoon services.

Ryan Braun this season accomplished something that Sandy Koufax, Hank Greenberg, or any other Jewish Hall of Famer never did: He was named Rookie of the Year.

Braun, the slugging third baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers, picked up the award Monday in the National League. In the voting by the Baseball Writers of America, Braun edged Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, 128-126.

"To show you how good Ryan was, in any other year Troy Tulowitzki would have won hands down," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin told The Associated Press.

BOSTON – Rafael Bergstrom, a 6'5" righthander who last month hurled a complete game shutout to lead the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox to the championship, has become the first player from the Israel Baseball League signed to a pro contract in the U.S.

Bergstrom, who turned 26 on September 5, has signed with the independent Atlantic League’s Bridgeport (CT) Bluefish, managed by former big league star Tommy John, and will join the team immediately. The league’s regular season ended September 16.

In the philanthropic equivalent of a return volley, two top Israeli tennis players who have received the support of American Jews want to raise money for disadvantaged American Jewish children.

Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich, a doubles pair ranked sixth in the world, are trying to start a foundation that would provide grants to young American Jews for their athletic training.

As the baseball season heads into the home stretch and the High Holy Days approach, Ryan Braun is supplying a double dose of suspense: Will the Milwaukee Brewers’ slugging third baseman become the first Jewish player to be named Rookie of the Year in either league? And does he plan to take a day off on Yom Kippur in the tradition of Hank Greenberg, Sandy Koufax, and Shawn Green?

Braun, 25, has made an impact since his debut at the end of May. The California native made history in July by becoming the first player to be named the National League’s Rookie of the Month and Player of the Month.