The head of the Israeli Baseball Association entered his role with passionate determination to expand the sport's reach beyond its traditional base among North American olim. Varon, a Tel Aviv resident married with three children, made aliyah from Oregon at age 13 and discovered baseball accidentally at a Ra'anana training session.

"For me, baseball is much more than a game," Varon said in an exclusive interview with Israel Hayom. "It's a place where I learned values, gained lifelong friends, and now I want to pass that on to the next generation in Israel."

The sport faces a critical juncture following its historic success at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and its restoration to the Olympic program for Los Angeles 2028 after being absent from the Paris 2024 Games. Varon sees this as a dual opportunity to solidify Israel's national team internationally while demonstrating to Israeli children the potential heights they can reach.

Baseball provided Varon with essential integration tools as a teenage immigrant who barely spoke Hebrew. "I arrived in Israel as a teenager, hardly knowing a word of Hebrew," he explained. "Baseball was the place where I found a common language. It didn't matter if I didn't speak Hebrew - on the field, everything was clear: rules, team, responsibility. It gave me an incredible sense of belonging."

The association head emphasizes the character-building aspects of baseball for his own three children and the next generation. "I want them to have the opportunity to grow up with the values that baseball provides: discipline, cooperation, and also patience," Varon said. "It's not a game of immediate solutions, but of planning, strategic thinking, and proper utilization of opportunities."

Leagues, fields, and Olympic dreams

Varon assumed his position at a critical moment for Israeli baseball. While the sport gained international exposure through its historic Tokyo 2020 success, domestic conditions remain far from ideal. The number of fields is limited, youth leagues struggle for budgets, and schools barely recognize the sport.

"I want baseball to be accessible to every child in Israel who wants to try," he declared. "That means more fields, more coaches, and an organized program that connects the sport to the education system. It's impossible for this to remain an 'American niche' game – there's real potential here, and children who come fall in love with it very quickly."

His vision extends beyond Israel's borders. With baseball's return to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Varon sees a double opportunity to continue establishing the national team globally while showing Israeli children where they can reach. "Anyone who saw the national team in Tokyo knows this isn't fantasy," Varon projects optimism. "Israel can compete with the greats for real. My goal is that we'll reach Los Angeles with a young and hungry squad, one that represents not only American immigrants but also the natives who learned the game here."

One of Varon's greatest challenges involves establishing a different sports culture in Israel than the one in which he grew up. In the United States, baseball is almost a religion with packed stadiums, millions of viewers, and an entire language of statistics and data. In Israel, it remains primarily known to North American olim who must still build its popularity.

"I understand why some people say baseball is too slow," he acknowledged with a smile, while believing the perception can change. "Those who understand the game discover a whole world. There's deep tactical thinking here, dramas that unfold in one small moment, and most importantly, it's a team game. You can't succeed in it alone."

According to Varon, Israeli culture can provide an interesting twist to the game. "There's energy here, creativity, healthy 'chutzpah'. That's what's needed to develop the Israeli style in baseball, one that doesn't try to copy the Americans but finds its own original path."

When asked what drives him to invest so much time and energy, Varon hardly hesitates. "I feel a mission," he said simply. "There were moments when I asked myself why I'm doing this, since it's not always simple. But then I see a ten-year-old child stepping onto the field for the first time, hitting the ball, and feeling that excitement, and it reminds me of myself at that age. If I succeed in giving another generation that experience, I've done my part."

The challenges are clearly numerous: raising budgets, convincing decision-makers to invest in fields, and expanding the fan base in a country where sports already compete for attention against countless other options. Nevertheless, Varon remains convinced the right approach is slow and steady, with organized long-term investment.

Varon concluded: "We're not looking for shortcuts. The goal is to build stable foundations, so that baseball remains here for decades more. My dream? To see a packed baseball stadium in Tel Aviv, with families coming to enjoy the game, and knowing that the children who played today on Ra'anana or Petach Tikva fields are those representing Israel on the Olympic stage in Los Angeles."

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In the heart of Los Angeles lies Dodger Stadium, a place where baseball history has been made and where two players have statues outside in their honor: Jackie Robinson and Sandy Koufax. While Robinson is celebrated for breaking baseball's color barrier, Koufax's legacy is tied to a remarkable choice he made during the biggest game of his career. This is the story of how sitting out of the World Series transformed Sandy Koufax into a Jewish American icon.

The context of the 1960s

The 1960s in America were marked by cultural upheaval, with the likes of lava lamps, Beatlemania, and flower children. However, this period was also rife with casual antisemitism. Although American Jews enjoyed freedoms their grandparents could scarcely imagine, they faced significant societal barriers. Strict quotas kept them out of affluent neighborhoods and elite universities, and antisemitic tropes persisted, suggesting that Jews were too powerful and that they could never fully belong in America.

Most American Jews sought acceptance, often turning their backs on their heritage to assimilate into mainstream society. They worked on Saturdays, changed their Jewish last names, and ignored Jewish holidays, all in an effort to fit in. Then came Sandy Koufax, who threw a curveball into this identity crisis.

Sandy Koufax's identity

Though not the most devout Jew, Sandy Koufax was proud of his Jewish heritage. He grew up in a Jewish neighborhood, attended synagogue during the high holidays, and never hid his identity. In the world of Major League Baseball, he stood out, facing prejudice and slurs from some of his teammates. The black players, including Jackie Robinson, recognized Koufax's struggles and welcomed him, forming a bond over shared experiences of discrimination.

They supported one another, and Koufax found camaraderie with them. Despite his talent, he faced criticism in the media. Nonetheless, he excelled, earning the nickname "the left arm of God." His success shattered stereotypes that Jews were weak or incapable of athleticism, inspiring pride among Jewish Americans.

The 1965 World Series

In 1965, as the Dodgers entered the World Series, expectations were low due to a lackluster offense. However, their pitching staff, led by Koufax, carried the team to the championship. When Game 1 of the World Series arrived on October 6, all eyes were on Koufax. But he was nowhere to be found at Metropolitan Stadium, leading to questions about his absence during such a crucial game.

Why was he missing? October 6 was not only the day of the World Series; it was also Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. For Koufax, this was a no-brainer. Baseball was his profession, but Judaism was central to his identity. He chose to honor his faith over his career, a decision that resonated deeply within the Jewish community.

The impact of his decision

For decades, American Jews had faced a binary choice: to be Jewish or to be American. Koufax's decision demonstrated that they could embrace both identities. He took Yom Kippur off as a sign of respect for his heritage, honoring his parents, ancestors, and community. The Dodgers owner even supported his choice, stating he wouldn't let Koufax pitch on Yom Kippur under any circumstances.

The team played Game 1 without him, and when the substitute pitcher struggled, he humorously remarked to the manager, "I bet right now you wish I was Jewish too." Despite the initial setback, Koufax returned after Yom Kippur and pitched brilliantly, leading the Dodgers to victory and earning the MVP title.

Legacy

Koufax's legacy extended beyond the baseball field. His decision inspired countless Jews, even those who were not baseball fans. The news of his choice reached far and wide, even to the headquarters of the Chabad movement, where the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson spoke about his example of pride and self-sacrifice. Many young Jews began attending services instead of watching the games, and parents held Koufax up as a role model.

Throughout the years, other Jewish players followed in his footsteps. In 2001, Shawn Green ended his consecutive game streak to observe Yom Kippur, and Max Fried, a Jewish pitcher, wore number 32 in Koufax's honor. Koufax became a symbol not just of Jewish pride but of resilience against antisemitism, reminding everyone of the importance of standing by one's beliefs. The statue of Sandy Koufax stands proudly outside Dodger Stadium alongside Jackie Robinson, a testament to his enduring impact.

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Babe Ruth's historic jersey from the famous "Called Shot" game is expected to set new auction records, celebrating his lasting impact on baseball and inspiring future generations.

The jersey worn by Ruth during the alleged "Called Shot" moment is up for auction at Heritage Auctions from Aug. 23-25, with an estimated value of around $30 million, which could break the record for the most expensive MLB jersey and sports collectible ever sold, currently held by a Ruth jersey from 1928-1930 that sold for $5.64 million in 2019.

Ruth won multiple World Series titles with the New York Yankees. He is remembered for ahis record-breaking 714 home runs in a 22-season career, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1920, despite lacking athleticism and being known for partying, Babe Ruth scored 54 home runs in his first season with the New York Yankees, surpassing any team's score alone.

One of Ruth's most famous and controversial moments was the "Called Shot" in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series against the Chicago Cubs, where he allegedly gestured towards the outfield before hitting a home run, though the validity of this claim is debated due to grainy footage and differing opinions on his intention.

Ruth had a standout performance in the game, hitting two home runs and four RBI. The New York Yankees won the series with a 4-0 sweep over the Chicago Cubs.

The "Called Shot" jersey has been authenticated and photo-matched to images from that day. Ruth's granddaughter believes the stains on it might be from mustard, his favorite.

Studies in cognitive neuroscience and sport psychology have shown that elite athletes like Babe Ruth utilize brain areas related to attention, memory, motor control, and decision-making more effectively than amateur athletes, contributing to their success.

In his later years, Babe Ruth battled advanced-stage cancer and became one of the first chemotherapy patients, contributing to advancements in cancer treatment and medicine. His experimental treatment initially showed promise but ultimately did not lead to a cure.

Babe Ruth passed away in 1948 after battling cancer and pneumonia, leaving a lasting legacy in both baseball and medicine.

Prior to his illness, Ruth had an unhealthy lifestyle with habits like overeating, smoking, and drinking, which led to a health scare in 1925 when he collapsed, sparking rumors of his death. His on-field misconduct also led to a suspension, prompting him to improve his habits, leading to better performance.

Sources: Yahoo, Daily Advocate, ScienceAlert, Keys News, KHON2, Herald Tribune, Actual News Magazine, BVM Sports, TheScore, Mi Diario, CBS Sports, SportsLogos, Biography, Banca y Negocios, Dark Horse Press, WISH-TV, AOL, Total Pro Sports, WSVN, Post and Courier.

This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.

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Defending champions South Korea smashed Israel's pitching on Monday with 18 hits in an 11-1 mercy-rule win to secure the first final-four berth of the six-team Tokyo 2020 tournament.

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South Korea (3-1) plays the United States or Japan on Wednesday for a berth in the gold medal game. South Korea beat Israel 6-5 in 10 innings in its opener in Japan.

Israel get no day off. They now play a win-or-go-home game against a rested Dominican Republic on Tuesday. The side left standing then play on Wednesday against the loser of Monday's later game, which is between Japan and the United States.

"Our goal is not be content with just one win," Israel captain Shlomo Lipetz said.

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Now an Olympian representing the country, Ian Kinsler traveled to Israel for the first time last year with his wife Tess, just before the coronavirus pandemic became widespread.

"I think we were on one of the last flights to leave Tel Aviv, to come back to Newark," he said. "We want to get our kids over there. I know my dad wants to go. So we definitely want to get back soon."

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A four-time big league All-Star, the 39-year-old Kinsler is playing for Israel's baseball team in the Olympics, part of a 24-man roster that includes former Major League Baseball players Danny Valencia, Ryan Lavarnway and Ty Kelly.

The small nation of 8 million has boosted its baseball profile because of Peter Kurz, a native New Yorker who has lived in the US and Israel since the 1970s. A marketing and export consultant, he serves as the team's general manager and helped recruit Kinsler and the other players.

"Religion was not a part of my upbringing," said Lavarnway, a 10-year major league veteran at catcher. "We celebrated holidays for the Hallmark purposes, for presents and just to have a good time as a family. But I felt like once I dove into the deep end of embracing my Judaism – my wife is Jewish, we had a Jewish wedding, I was part of the Jewish community in Denver – I feel like the purpose and the meaning behind things, it means so much more to me now and just understanding the why behind the what has become really important."
Israel opened with a 6-5, 10-inning loss to defending South Korea, when Lavarnway hit a pair of home runs and Kinsler also went deep, then lost to the United States 8-1, putting it in an elimination game Sunday against Mexico. The team's pitching challenges became evident when Jeremy Bleich, a Pittsburgh front office assistant who last pitched professionally in 2019, hit batters on consecutive pitches for the final run of the opener, and relievers against the Americans included 42-year right-hander Shlomo Lipetz, whose day job is director of music programming at New York's City Winery.

"I play on weekends. I practice as much as possible – early in the morning, late at night," Lipetz said. He retired Boston prospect, Triston Casas, on a groundout, got Todd Frazier to line into an inning-ending double play and gave up a single to Eric Filia."Call me delusional. I think I can get anyone out," Lipetz said.

Infielder Ty Kelly, a three-year big league veteran who last played in the major leagues in 2018, came out of retirement and saw action at Seattle's Triple-A Tacoma before the Olympics. He grew up with a Jewish mother and a Catholic father in Dallas.

"Before the 2017 World Baseball Classic, Peter reached out to me when I was in the Mets organization. I was in Triple-A at the time in Las Vegas," Kelly said. "He found out that I was Jewish. A teammate of mine in 2009, my first professional year, was Jewish, and I guess we had talked about being Jewish. And one of his family friends came to the game in Brooklyn and then we talked about being Jewish, and he knew Peter Kurz."

Manager Eric Holtz, a former assistant coach at Manhattanville and Westchester Community College, was a player-coach in Dan Duquette's Israel Baseball League in 2007. He became an assistant coach about six years later for Nate Fish at the Maccabiah Games – with future major league pitcher Dean Kremer as their left fielder.
Holtz returned to the Maccabiah Games coaching the US, won the gold medal, and at Kurz's behest, became Israel's coach. He relies on a positive nature and knows his limits – especially with someone like Kinsler, who has 1,999 big league hits.

"I have the respect of the guys," Holtz said. "If I see something in Danny Valencia's swing, we're going to talk about it. But at the same token, what am I going to say to a guy that played nine, 10 years in the big leagues about what he's doing? We may discuss his approach a little bit, but for me it's more of the personal side. That to me is a big key in coaching, period, is understanding what makes every one of your players tick. How do I get into them?"

The team played exhibition games in the New York area before going to Japan and received financial support from the Jewish National Fund-USA's Project Baseball, which also is helping build baseball fields in Israel.

Some of the players wore Stars of David on their spikes. While they all take pride in playing for Israel and their Jewish heritage, the team is US-based.

"Tonight it's a little bit more weird, having the national anthem played prior to `Hatikvah,'" Holtz said after the game against the US "It's just neat when you have guys that buy into a dream. And the dream was for us to get here, and here we're competing. And nobody cares about the name on the back. Nobody's playing for money. Nobody's playing for a contract or the next contract. They're all playing for the name on the front of the jersey."

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Three strikes and they're out: Israel ended Mexico's baseball run at Tokyo 2020 with a 12-5 drubbing.

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Mexico's disappointing departure from their first Olympic baseball tournament followed just one extra-base hit over their first two games and a rough start on Sunday from pitcher Manny Barreda, whom Israel pounded for six runs in three innings.

Israel punched in another six runs in the seventh inning when hitting against one-time Major Leaguer Oliver Perez.

Israel on Monday will face the winner of a game later on Sunday between South Korea and the Dominican Republic.

On Sunday, Mexico scored most of their runs in the third inning against Israel starter Josh Zeid, whose day job is coaching Chicago Cubs pitchers recovering from injury.

Mexico pulled to 6-5 in the sixth before Israel's bullpen shut them down.

Israel's Danny Valencia swatted a hanging curve over the left-field wall for a three-run homer and likely the tournament's longest blast (official records are not being kept).

Nick Rickles, whose normal job is in health care, also had three runs batted in for Israel. Mitch Glasser and Zach Penprase brought in two each.

Zack Weiss (1-0) got the win by allowing one run in two innings. Israel had 12 hits and set a tournament-high for runs.

"It's a fairy tale they were able to qualify," Mexico coach Benji Gil had said last week of underdog Israel, which also are new to the Olympics.

"Many people looked down on them but hats off," Gil said in admiration.

Unfortunately for Mexico, the caps are not coming back on.

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Most of the Olympics are a competition among the best in each sport. Israel's fate in its baseball debut came down to a pitcher whose last professional game was nearly 23 months ago.

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It didn't work out.

Jeremy Bleich forced in the game-ending run by hitting batters with consecutive pitches in the 10th inning, giving defending champion South Korea a 6-5 victory Thursday night.

The 34-year-old left-hander has been working as a front office assistant for the Pittsburgh Pirates, focusing on defensive shifting and positioning. His last professional game was Sept. 1, 2019, for Triple-A Rochester at Syracuse.

"I don't think rust had anything to do with it," Israel manager Eric Holtz said. "Jeremy has been working hard throughout. The Pirates organization has been wonderful with him. And he's been throwing live to batters two to three times a week. So I don't think there was any rust. I think the ball just got away."

On a night when Ryan Lavarnway homered twice for Israel and Ian Kinsler also went deep, South Korea overcame 2-0 and 4-2 deficits, and Israel rallied from down 5-4.

Bleich entered to start the 10th. Under international rules, extra innings start with runners on first and second, an even bigger distortion than the controversial major league runner on second pandemic rule used in 2020 and this season.

Jaegyun Hwang sacrificed, and Ji Hwan Oh popped out to Ty Kelly, who made an over-the-shoulder catch in short left field.

Bleich (0-1), whose big league career consisted of two games for Oakland in 2018, hit Kyoungmin Hur on the rear, then brushed the jersey of Euiji Yang with his next pitch.

Kinsler had taken a called third strike that ended the top of the 10th against former St. Louis, Toronto and Colorado reliever Seunghwan Oh (1-0), who struck out the side to give four South Korean pitchers 17 strikeouts.

Major League Baseball refuses to make 40-man roster players available and many teams refuse to let top eligible prospects play. Several players have said they hope the Olympics serves as a showcase that gets them signed for major league stretch runs.

Japan, which opened Group A with a win over the Dominican Republic, does have most of its top players after the Central and Pacific Leagues stopped their seasons.

The United States opens Group B on Friday against Israel (0-1) and plays South Korea (1-0) on Sunday.

"For me the opportunity to represent Israel connects me with my Jewish identity," Lavarnway said. "That's something everyone on this team has in common. We're all Jewish. And that's how we qualified for citizenship, since we didn't grow up there. But it's extremely meaningful to me, and I feel like we're representing both Israel and Jewish people around the world."

Kinsler's two-run homer in the third off Taein Won and Lavarnway's two-run drive in the sixth on a slider from Wonjoon Choi built a 4-2 Israel lead.

Ji Hwan Oh tied the score 2-all with a two-run homer off Jake Fishman in the fourth, and June Hoo Lee and Hyunsoo Kim hit consecutive home runs in the seventh that tied the score against Zack Weiss, a 29-year-old right-hander whose big league career lasted four batters for Cincinnati on April 12, 2018.

Ji Hwan Oh's RBI double, his third hit of the game, put South Korea ahead 5-4 in the three-run seventh, but Lavarnway homered off Oh (1-0) in the ninth on a fastball nearly shoulder high. Lavarnway was 3 for 11 for Cleveland in June while Austin Hedges was on the concussion injured list.

Israel starter Jon Moscot left after nine pitches due to an elbow injury, giving up a leadoff single to Hae Min Park and walking off the mound after a 2-2 pitch to Lee. The 29-year-old right-hander made eight appearances with Cincinnati in 2015-16 before Tommy John surgery.

"I don't know that there could have been a bigger game-changer when you've sat for months planning a pitching rotation, what guys are going to be up against what teams, and arguably one of our best guys goes down in the first inning without recording an out," Holtz said. "Plan B was all hands on deck."

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Moscot was replaced by Fishman, the first of five relievers. The 26-year-old left-hander, taken by Miami from Toronto in the Triple-A phase of last year's winter meeting draft, caused difficulty for a mostly left-handed South Korean batting order.

Holtz remained upbeat. The team's goal, he said, was to "try to make the world understand that Israel belongs here."

"This is not a fluke," he said. "Israel can play baseball."

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Jacob Steinmetz's blazing fastball helped make him a baseball draft trailblazer.

The New York native is believed to be the first known practicing Orthodox Jewish player to be selected by a major league team, going in the third round – 77th overall – to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.

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The 6-foot-5, 222-pound Steinmetz, from the Long Island hamlet of Woodmere, is a 17-year-old right-hander whose repertoire features a fastball that sits in the mid- to upper-90s and a knee-buckling curveball. His draft stock rose considerably while playing for the Elev8 Baseball Academy in Delray Beach, Florida, this year after previously competing for his high school team, The Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway.

Steinmetz recently told the New York Post he keeps the Sabbath and eats only Kosher food, but plays during the Sabbath and on Jewish holidays – although he walks to games during the Sabbath rather than taking transportation. No practicing Orthodox Jewish player has made it to the big leagues.

"It's never been frustrating to me," Steinmetz told the New York Post. "It's just something I've always done. It makes me who I am. It's definitely made [my life] different, but in a good way."

Steinmetz's summer coach Daniel Corona told the New York Post that he believes Steinmetz's dual commitment to baseball and Judaism has made him truly special.

"There's a difference between being committed, doing all this hard work and having this extra layer," Corona said. "I don't know if there's ever going to be another Jacob, as far as this whole process goes. He set an example that anything is possible as far as being committed to multiple things at once and still believing in yourself, your dreams, to make them happen."

Prior to the draft, Steinmetz had already committed to Fordham University in the Bronx and didn't want to pitch anywhere else. Now, however, after the Diamondbacks called his name, he has an important decision to make: go to college and play for Fordham, or sign with the Diamondbacks.

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For Team Israel and members of the media who spent three tense, very exciting nights at Maimonides Park in Coney Island, NY, back in September 2016, July 11 was a true homecoming.

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Team Israel played a Sunday afternoon game against the FDNY (Fire Department of New York) in Brooklyn, -- at the same stadium as the miracle games of 2016 – before embarking on a series of exhibition games on the East Coast that will then see them fly to Tokyo to compete in the Summer Olympic Games. Israel will face Japan, Mexico, South Korea, the United States and the Dominican Republic. While their medal chances are uncertain, the 24 players on the Olympic roster could not be more excited.

In 2016, nobody took Team Israel seriously as they played in the World Baseball Classic qualifiers. That began to change after they defeated Great Britain once and Brazil twice, and advanced to "Pool A" in South Korea in March 2017 against South Korea, Taiwan and the Netherlands.

Team Israel proceeded to battle through the World Baseball Classic and won the 2019 European Baseball Championship. By finishing in the top five, Israel earned the right to participate in the 2020 Olympics qualifiers. As the winner of that tournament, Team Israel qualified to be one of six national teams to compete in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, the 2020 Olympics were postponed to July 2021, where, being that COVID remains an issue in Japan, they will largely take place without fans and with players living in a bubble reminiscent of the NBA bubble in Florida in 2020.

Nevertheless, July 11 was a day for nostalgia and celebration for the journey and for what Team Israel represents for Israel and the Jewish people. The 12 pitchers, three catchers, six infielders and three outfielders are mainly American-born players of Jewish descent, although there are some native-born Israelis on the team. In order to represent a country in the Olympics, a player must be citizen of that country; thus, all members of Team Israel hold citizenship. Some are former Major Leaguer Baseball players with extensive MLB or Minor League experience.

'Crazy, rewarding, hard, fun, tough'

Pitcher Shlomo Lipetz, 42, was born in Tel Aviv, played college baseball in the United States and has been affiliated with Israel baseball for more than 30 years. At the World Baseball Qualifiers in 2017, the right-handed pitcher was the only native Israeli on the team.

Baseball and Team Israel have helped keep him focused throughout the pandemic. "The fact that I just keep playing the game kept me really sane while doing my day job," he says.

Lipetz is vice president of programming for City Winery. He says he is proud of how far Team Israel has come since 2017. "It is no longer the underdog mentality – that we are just happy to be here. With the help of some of the big league guys, folks like Ian [Kinsler] and Danny [Valencia], I think that really helped change our mentality to something of 'we belong here, and we can make some noise!' "

Pitcher Josh Zeid, 34, has played for the Houston Astros and is currently working for the Chicago Cubs in Phoenix, where he is the rehabilitation pitching coordinator. He also pitched for Team Israel at the 2017 World Baseball Classic, where he was named to the 2017 All-World Baseball Classic Team.

At the end of the WBC, Zeid thought his baseball career was over. As he looks back on the past four years, he says "it has been crazy, rewarding, hard, fun, tough, but it is crazy. We are standing here today in Brooklyn. Four years ago, we were all here. I thought my career was over at the end of the season. We had a swan song starting in Brooklyn; it is pretty surreal, pretty special."

The right-handed pitcher uses a bright-blue mitt with the expression "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" inscribed in Hebrew. "My grandfather died six months ago, and these were his last words to me," he reveals.

Zeid pitched the second inning of the FDNY game and struck out all three batters. "I am honored to play for Team Israel in the Olympics," he says. "It's a lifelong dream come true. I feel I have been blessed. Just putting in the work and care and effort to making sure this one comes true as well."

Pitcher Joey Wagman, 29, was also all fired up to return to Brooklyn as part of Team Israel. Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 17th round of 2013 draft, he recalls, "The last time I was here was five years ago for the qualifiers, so it definitely brings back a lot of memories."

Wagman did not play in 2020, though he resumed training with Team Israel teammate, Zach Weiss, when both lived in Southern California.

"I used the time to refine some things in my movement and delivery and shore up my mental game," he relates. Over the past three months, Wagman has played professional baseball in the Czech Republic. "It was a different pace of baseball. After an 18-month layoff, it was a decent, relaxed environment, where I could control pitch counts and innings, and it served its purpose as prep for the Olympics."

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Of the opportunity to reunite with his teammates, Wagman says: "It has been years since I've seen all these guys – being together brings back so many good memories. There have been so many good memories with Team Israel in the past five years."

'We need to start playing some good baseball'

Danny Valencia is arguably Team Israel's most accomplished player. Valencia, 36, has played for eight Major League teams, and had 795 hits and 95 home runs in 3,000-plus plate appearances. He says he is looking forward to representing Israel in Tokyo. "It is a really cool experience, and it is going to be an awesome memory for all of us."

Valencia also knows what being in the Olympics will take, noting that "we need to start playing some good baseball."

Valencia knows this Olympics will feel different due to COVID precautions. "Obviously, we will be in a bubble. There will not be many fans at the games, but it should be an amazing experience. We will be around a lot of great athletes. And we're there to handle the job but also to enjoy the experience."

Ben Wanger, 23, a right-handed pitcher, also serves as a designated hitter. His parents, David and Gwen Wanger – both clothed in "Wanger" jerseys – traveled from Newton, Mass., to Brooklyn and watched their son from behind the Team Israel dugout. While they're unable to attend the Olympics in Tokyo, they dream of the day they will be able to visit Israel for the first time – and celebrate what they hope will be a medal for Team Israel.

Whether Israel ultimately wins gold, silver or bronze, the Wangers are practically glowing over the accomplishments of their son and his teammates – and of what the experience has done for everyone's Jewish identity.

"The experience for these players, especially American Jews who made aliyah, has been incredibly enriching," says David Wanger. "They are so much more attuned to their heritage, and they feel incredibly connected to Israel and to the Jewish people."

The Wangers and the good-sized observant Jewish crowd that showed up in Brooklyn are praying that the miracle of Team Israel will continue. The team is off to a promising start with a 12-3 victory over New York's bravest: the FDNY. Israel scored an impressive 12 runs on 15 hits, with the first run at the top of the sixth.

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org

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Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, the quiet, unassuming slugger who broke Babe Ruth's supposedly unbreakable record for most home runs in a career and battled racism in the process, died on Friday, the Atlanta Braves announced. He was 86.

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Aaron joined the Braves management to become one of the few African-Americans in a baseball executive position after retiring as a player in 1976 with 755 career home runs, a record unmatched for more than three decades. Aaron died "peacefully in his sleep," the Braves said in a statement.

His hitting prowess earned him the nickname "Hammerin' Hank," and his power was attributed to strong wrists. He was somewhat shy and lacked the flair of contemporaries Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle.

Tributes to Aaron poured in from the worlds of sports, entertainment and politics, praising not only his achievements in baseball, but his courage in confronting the racism that dogged him even at the pinnacle of his career.

Aaron played 23 major league seasons – the first 21 for the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, and the final two for the Milwaukee Brewers. He appeared in a record-breaking 25 All-Star games. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.

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