Pitcher for the LA Dodgers, Detroit Tigers and Cal. Angels (1958-68.) Won two critical World Series games for the LA Dodgers in 59. Lifetime ERA 3.67. Brother of Norm Sherry. He and Norm (and Barry Latman) were all graduates of Fairfax High School, Los Angeles.
The first professional baseball player was a Jewish ballplayer. He acheived this status in 1866 when he accepted $20 a week to play for the Philadephia Athletics. A good hitter and baserunner, he played for the Reds in 1876, the first year the National League was in existence. Born 1845, in New York. He also managed. His five season National League average was .306, with 5 home runs, 36 doubles, 16 triples and 88 RBIs.
For 20 years, Mr. Strickler has furthered the knowledge of our Baltimore/Washington D.C. youth in the subject of Jewish sports heroes, especially major league baseball players.(Editors note-We put this entry up as a tribute to the many Jewish sports afficiandos who pass on the knowledge of Lipman Pike, Hank Greenberg, et. al., to new generations)
Shortshop with a good batting eye who played for the Cleveland Indians from 1938 to 1952. Father, not Jewish. Mother, Jewish. Lifetime, .295. Hit over .300 four times. In Baseball Hall of Fame.
1st Baseman for old Philadelphia As. Played in the 50s.
Marv Rotblatt, a native Chicagoan, pitched for the Sox in 1948, 1950 and 1951, compiling a 4-3 lifetime record. He was a little southpaw, standing only 58".
Marvin Lieb was recruited by Branch Rickey to play on the 1948 Brooklyn Dodgers. He was a first baseman. His career was cut very short by an injury. He was depicted on the cover of Life magazine on April 5, 1948 in a story about Dodger Rookies. Marvin died in FL on 2/5/00.
We have long had Miller up in our lawyers category, but he really should be cross-listed. Miller, a former lawyer for the Steelworkers union, became Executive Director of the Baseball Players union when the association was a joke, and the prospects were dim. He got the players to stick together, got contract arbitration and got the arbitrator to throw out the reserve clause, which had held the players in servitude for a 100 yrs. He then out-lawyered the owners at every turn regarding free agency. Its an old story, if you stick together and have smart leadership, you sometimes get what you are worth in the market.
1931-3 Brooklyn Dodgers.
Hall of Fame announcer. See sportcasters.
Was born Adolf Schayes. He is in the Basketball Hall of Fame. During his career he was an NBA all-start 12 times and coached the Warriors.
Hall of Fame slugger who played for Detroit Tigers. Hit 58 home runs in 1938. (While Greenberg says he ran out of gas, he was subject to a lot of pitching around him so a Jew would not break Babe Ruths 60 home run record.) Career stats would have been better if he had not served six yrs. in the Army at the height of his career.
Koufax is often considered the greatest Jewish baseball player ever. The dominant pitcher in the Major Leagues from 62 to 66. Pitched four no-hitters. Declined to pitch in the World Series on Yom Kippur. Hall of Fame lst ballot selection.
Brody is a local Trenton basketball legend where he played under another Jewish local sports legend, Scott Moscovich. 2nd team All-American at Illinois was drafted #13 by the Baltimore Bullets. After a contract dispute and a stint in the U.S. Army he decided to make aliyah. He Enjoyed a successful international career and helped Israeli basketball immeasurably.
Was the Heavyweight champion from 1934-35. Fought with a Star of David on his shorts. Always some dispute whether he was really Jewish; or marketing ploy. It is known that his father was Jewish, but speculated that he was raised Catholic. Father of Max Baer, Jr. who played Jethro on Beverly Hillbillies.
Shamsky is a former Major League Baseball player. He played right field, left field, and first base from 1965 to 1972 for the Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Oakland Athletics. In 2007 he was the manager of the Modiin Miracle of the Israel Baseball League.
is a Ukrainian-born Jewish-American boxer from Brooklyn, New York in the welterweight division. He is a practicing Orthodox Jew, and became so after he moved to Brooklyn. He does not fight on the Sabbath or Jewish holidays and follows Jewish dietary laws.
Was a major boxing promoter of the 20s and 30s. Began as a ticket scalper. Signed Joe Louis to an exclusive contract in 35. Put on major fights in the Garden. Died in 1953.
is a British-based Israeli heavyweight boxer, currently International Boxing Organization's (IBO's) Intercontinental heavyweight champion, with a 27–1 record. Greenberg has been nicknamed the Lion from Zion.
is a Belarusian-born Israeli professional boxer, based in the United States.He is a former World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight champion. Foreman turned professional in January 2002 in the Junior Middleweight Division and remained undefeated for 29 fights until June 5, 2010, in which he lost by TKO in the ninth round to Miguel Cotto.
