Jtube: Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story

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Jtube: Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story

Is the stereotype true: are Jews bad at sports?

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Published: May 28, 2011

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Visitor Comments: 10

(7) Mark A., December 18, 2011 4:17 PM

Don't know what this means

I was never aware that there existed a stereotype that Jews were bad at sports. In proportion to the general population, I do believe Jews have done well and perhaps more Jews could have been included if they were not excluded from participation particularly in the earlier 20th century. Consider, the 1936 Nazi Olympics when that lowlife Brundage agreed with the Nazi heirarchy to ban Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller from particcipating. Those 1936 games aside, this same sentiment against Jewish athletes existed in the U.S. for many years. As a pretty good baseball player I had my own experience with my highschool baseball coach in the early 1960's.

(6) D. Sugar, June 1, 2011 1:09 AM

Jews In Sports

Re Jews in sports, my bro-in-law Ruby Kessler boxed in Mad Sq GDn in 1947 as the main event. He & older bro Milton were famous in Coney Island where they lived. The Kesslers, mentioned in many boxing books were terrific boxers & role models for kids.

(5) David S. Levine, May 31, 2011 5:43 PM

See the Documentary

I'm no PBS fan, but the full documentary is worth seeing. It's no accident than PBS uses the full documentary during fund raising week to coax money out of us, but you need not give these Israel bashers anything--just watch the documentary.

Anonymous, June 1, 2011 12:52 AM

Amen!

I could not agree with you more about PBS. Unfortunately, many Jews continue to give money to this enemy of Israel.

Anonymous, June 7, 2011 10:26 AM

PBS version is not the full documentary

If you saw and liked the considerably-shortened version aired on PBS, check out the full version on DVD (available on Netflix and various outlets) to get the whole story.

(4) Lewis Rich-Shea, May 31, 2011 4:58 PM

Red Sarachek High School Basketball Tournament

If you want to see excellent high school basketball players who are also Torah scholars, check out the Red Sarachek tournament at Yeshiva University held every March.

(3) Mel Tillman, May 31, 2011 4:04 PM

Jewish Baseball Players

I can recommend 2 books. One is "The Catcher Was A Spy" by Nicholas Dawidoff. The story of Moe Berg, a Princeton University Graduate, a linguist and a journeyman Major League Catcher. The other is the book, "Sandy Kaufax" by Jane Leavy a well written biography. The following is a link to a website about the current crop of Major League Jewish Baseball Players, that is updated almost daily, http://www.jewishbaseballnews.com/.

(2) len mandell, May 30, 2011 4:22 PM

more info

would like to read the book about jews in sports. how many jews are now active in sporsts ,like there names and what sports.

burton boxerman, May 31, 2011 10:09 PM

mt wife and i wrote to books on jews and baseball; vols 1 and 2. if interested, e-mail me or check mcfarland publishing company's website for information. or call at 314.994-9133 Burton A Boxerman

(1) Bob Guzinsky, May 30, 2011 1:15 PM

Jews and Pitt Football

In 1962 I was the only Jew on the Univ. of Pittsburgh Football team . By the time I was a senior we had 4 .One in each class. We were all on scholarship and Pitt was #3 in the nation in "63.While none of us were stars or even lettered in '63 two of us did have starting positions in '65 and "66..We had a Jewish alumnus who helped the coaches recruit and i am sure it helped. By the way Jewish fraternities did very well in intramural sports at the time still do in many colleges. There are plenty of good Jewish athletes but to be in the class like Koufax or Greenberg or Rosen etc is incredibly difficult and we do not have the numbers of population to find such incredible athletes.Our % of superstars , as compared to our small numbers of the total population is pretty good and those who are Jewish are really special.

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