Martin Abramowitz
With the glove and the bat, Jews sparkled on the diamond
Ryan Braun, at bat, was just named "Rookie of the Year." Courtesy of the Milwaukee Brewers
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, 1'8-1'6.
"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.
Rookie could make history — but will he cut Yom Kippur?
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, '5, 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.
Miracle victory
PETACH TIKVAH – In an atmosphere that was both ceremonial and heimesh, pro baseball made its debut in Israel.
The visiting Modi'in Miracle defeated the Petach Tikvah Pioneers, 9-1, in Sunday's opening game of the Israel Baseball League's inaugural season.
