 |
in the Jewish Sports Scene
|
Major League Baseball: A total of 14 Jewish players (includes three whose fathers only are Jewish) suited up during the 2013 season. Three teams--the Baltimore Orioles, the Boston Red Sox, and the NY Mets--each had two Jewish players on their rosters. On the pitcher's mound, Boston Southpaw Craig Breslow had a career season as a reliever, recording a 1.81 earned-run-average, and a 5-2 won-lost record in 61 game appearances. Boston catcher Ryan Lavarnway had a .299 batting average in 25 games. Baltimore Orioles pitcher Scott Feldman struck out 132 batters and walked just 56 while posting a 12-12 won-lost record. Orioles' Designated Hitter Danny Valencia had a solid .304 batting average with 8 home runs in 52 games. New York Mets first baseman Josh Satin was as smooth as silk, batting .279 with 3 home runs in 75 games. Texas Rangers' second baseman Ian Kinsler had a .276 batting average, with 13 home runs and 72 RBI in 136 games. Oakland A's first baseman Nate Freiman had a .274 batting average with 4 home runs in 80 games. San Diego Padres' pitcher Jason Marquis had a 9-5 won-lost record with a 4.05 ERA and 72 strike outs until he was sidelined with an arm injury.
Milwaukee Brewers' left-fielder Ryan Braun had a .298 batting average and 9 home runs when he was suspended.
Minor League Baseball: Adam Greenberg has retired after an 11 year minor league career in which he batted .262 and scored 641 runs.
Bowling: The Israeli contingent at the World Tenpin Bowling Association tournament in Las Vegas was led by Meni Mizrahi who finished in 128th place out of 216 men. Mizrahi averaged 197.83 for his 24 games, with a high score of 224. Or Aviram finished in 142nd place with a 195.62 average. He blasted the pins with a barrage of strikes as he rolled a 285, the high score among the Israeli bowlers in the event. Liat Vizenfeld was the best Israeli woman player in the event, averaging 201.58 as she finished in 56th place out of 212 entries. Her high score in the tournament was a 246. Sara Mizrahi finished in 92nd place with an average of 194.79.
American Football: A total of 7 Jewish players (including one whose father only is Jewish) are playing in the NFL this season. They include: Cincinnati Bengals' safety Taylor Mays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers' guard Gabe Carimi and fullback Erik Lorig. New Orleans Saints' center Brian De La Puente, Kansas City Chiefs' guard Geoff Schwartz, Cleveland Browns' tackle Mitchell Schwartz, and Chicago Bears' punter Adam Podlesh. This marks the first time in 90 years that a pair of Jewish brothers played professional football. Jeff is the largest of the bunch at 6'6" and 340 pounds. Podlesh is averaging 43.5 yards for his 19 punts this season, and his longest was 59 yards.
Golf: Bruce Fleisher has cashed in 5 out of 5 events he has played in 2013 on the Champions Tour. He is averaging 73.92 per round for the season. HIs combined earnings for 6 events (including the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf) is $29,631. Morgan Pressel is ranked 41st on the LPGA tour. She has made the cut in 13 of 19 events she has played in 2013 with 3 top-10 finishes. Morgan has a scoring average of 71.84 with a best round of 64 this year. She has earned $419,099 through the end of September.
Ice Hockey: A total of 6 Jewish players are on NHL rosters for the 2013-14 season. They include: Calgary Flames' center Michael Cammalleri, Montreal Canadiens' center Jeff Halpern, Nashville Predators' left wing Eric Nystrom, Edmonton Oilers' right wing Mike Brown, Detroit Red Wings' center Stephen Weiss, and Philadelphia Flyers' defenseman Nicklas Grossmann.
Tennis: Shahar Peer was ranked 79th on the WTA circuit with a singles won-lost record of 29-23 and a 7-10 doubles record in 24 events. She has earned $230,293 thus far this year and has won one WTA singles title in 2013. Dudi Sela was ranked 89th on the ATP circuit. He has earnings of $170,012 this year. Doubles' specialist Jonathan Erlich was ranked 64th, with a 17-15 won-lost record and earnings of $99,609. His usual partner Andy Ram was ranked 122nd with an 8-8 record and earnings of $45,290.
May they continue their success as they make us proud of their accomplishments.
