The New He-Brewer
The baseball world is abuzz over Brewers third-baseman Ryan Braun, whose numbers in the big leagues make a compelling case for Rookie of the Year.
Braun impressed the club in his first spring training game, going four for five with a grand slam, a three-run homer, a double, a single and a stolen base. Since being called up to the show in late May, he is hitting .348 with 16 home runs, 43 RBI’s, and a slugging percentage of .667. To put things into perspective, the Rookie of the Year for 2005, Ryan Howard, only hit .331 with 14 home runs and 35 RBI’s in the first half of his rookie season.
Braun’s father, Joe, is Israeli born, and being Jewish is something Braun is said to “take a lot of pride in.” Chosen in the 1st round of the 2005 amateur baseball draft, he is one of the highest drafted Jewish athletes in baseball.
While Braun’s exceptional arm and bat already have some scouts drawing comparisons to Yankees 3rd baseman Alex Rodriguez, a number of interesting similarities also align Braun with some of baseball’s biggest Jewish icons. Braun was Sandy Koufax’s last name before his mother remarried. (There is, alas, no family connection). Additionally, Braun’s grandfather has lived for the last 40 years in a home previously owned by Hall Of Famer Hank Greenberg, and Braun’s nickname, “The Hebrew Hammer,” was once used for Al Rosen, who, when playing for the Cleveland Indians (another “Tribe”) was named MVP in 1953.
If Braun continues to play at this pace, Israel might stand a chance in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, should it attract Braun and fellow Jewish Major Leaguers Shawn Green, Kevin Youkilis and Gabe Kapler.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
