June 13, 2010 | 9:58 am

Jews in the News

Posted by Jeremy Fine

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Here are a bunch of recent stories to check out involving Jewish sports figures. Enjoy!

Aaron Rodgers vs. Tony Kornheiser
www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/13501840/rodgers-regrets-public-shots-at-kornheiser-jaworski?tag=globalNav.nfl;headlines

Jerry Reinsdorf Pulls Out
www.cbssports.com/nhl/story/13494287/reinsdorf-group-withdraws-from-coyotes-competition?tag=globalNav.nhl;headlines

Josh Whitesell Off To Tokyo
www.jewishbaseballnews.com/update-josh-whitesell-to-join-tokyo-yakult-swallows/

Gary Bettman Represents

Dan Grunfeld Headed to Israel
www.hoopsagents.com/basketball.asp?Cntry=ISR

June 10, 2010 | 2:16 pm

Blackhawks Bring the Cup Home!!!

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Last night my good buddy Marc and I headed to Wrigleyville (yes, I walked into my own personal hell). But it was not for a Cubs game (although thanks to my friend Henry I will be there to watch my White Sox on Friday) rather I was there to celebrate my first Blackhawks Stanley Cup victory. The series and the game were amazing. The pandemonium in the streets afterward was insane.

Congrats to the Hawks on there first title since 1961.

On the topic of the Hawks I did some research on if there have ever been any Jewish Blackhawks. The answer is yes. Steve Dubinsky had an up and down Chicago career. Here is what Jewishvirtuallibrary.org had to say about his Blackhawks career. “Dubinsky was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the ninth round (226th overall) of the 1990 NHL Draft. Over the next four seasons, Dubinsky divided his time between the Blackhawks and the minors. In 1997-98, Steve played full-time with the Blackhawks and had his best season in the NHL. He recorded career highs in games (82), goals (five), assists (13), points (18), penalty minutes (57), and shots (112). After the season ended, Steve was traded to the Calgary Flames. He played in 61 games and had 14 points for the Flames during the 1998-99 season.”...

“Despite a solid season in 2001, Dubinsky spent most of the 2002 season in the minors while under contract with the Blackhawks. He appeared in three games for the Blackhawks, and scored the game-winning goal for Chicago on January 10, in a 2-1 victory over the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. In his three games with Chicago, Dubinsky registered one point, a +1 plus/minus rating, and four penalty minutes. Steve spent much of the early season with Chicago’s AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals, before being sent to the Milwaukee Admirals on November 26. He was called up to the Blackhawks for two games in early January, 2002, but was then sent back to Milwaukee on January 14 (he had 18 goals and 14 assists (32 points) in 47 games in the minors during the season). On February 6, 2002, Chicago traded Dubinsky to Nashville for future considerations and he played well for his new team.”

Dubinsky retired in 2003 after a 10 year career. Besides the Hawks he played for Flames, Predators, and Blues. It was a nice run for an 11th round pick Center from Clarkson University.

Here is to you Steve Dubinsky and the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks.

And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine
For More on Jews in Sports Check Out WWW.THEGREATRABBINO.COM

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June 9, 2010 | 7:47 am

Interview with Professional Wrestler Chasyn Rance

Posted by Jeremy Fine

By now its no surprise that sprinkled in with the basketball, baseball, football, and hockey news TGR is going to run some wrestling stories. It is my guilty pleasure but more importantly it is a sport where Jews seem to be involved and are successful. Also, it is easy to get there contact information.

We got a hold of Chasyn Rance. Rance wrestles all over the world and for many different promotions including WWE, TNA, and ROH. In 2009 he was ranked #389 in the PWI best wrestler rankings. Rance has big hopes and has surrounded himself with guys who really knows the business.

Recently, Rance was also featured on VH1’s Tool Academy. Find out what he says about the experience.

INTERVIEW:

1) How did you start wrestling?
Always something I wanted to do and at the age of 15, started training.

2) Out of these Jewish wrestlers who would win Macho Man, Goldberg, Raven, or Kelly Kelly?
In what? Intelligence, Raven. Beauty pageant, Kelly Kelly.

3) Have your ever competed against Colt Cabana or Brimstone? Who would win in a straight up fight?
I’ve tagged with Cabana in England and have faced him in FIP. In a straight up fight, I’d win.

4) Who trained you? Are you still close with Larry Zbyszko?
I was trained by Rusty Brooks. I’ve had work with many, many stars over the years and Larry is one of them. He’s next to me right now. I’ve been working with Larry for over 3 years. He’s a great guy and he knows a lot about the business as well as everything else…just ask him.

5) What was your experience like on the Tool Academy? Has it helped your wrestling career?
You saw the show. How do you think my experience was? I guess it has given me a bit more of recognition but I do things all the time from small spots in tv shows, movies, and whatever else. Keep watching me on Last Call with Scott Hall www.youtube.com/ScottHallTV

6) Who is the greatest wrestler you have ever faced? What was the result?
Larry Zbyszko, I beat him

7) What are your long term aspirations as a wrestler?
Make money, meet more girls, win a world title, and work for the WWE. Check, check, check, and check! Now time for more money, girls, titles, and we’ll see about WWE.

8) If you could have one Diva walk you to the ring who would it be? Santana.
She’s not too well known yet but check her out www.SantanaG.com.

9)Does your Judaism ever come into consideration when you are wrestling? What was your Jewish upbringing like? Is there one thing about Judaism that you connect to?
Some top promoters and bookers are Jewish so that has worked in my favor. I teamed with C.M. Punk in MLW as the Straight Edge Army. I turned the XXX and the Star of David into one logo which I kept around for a while. Jewish upbringing was fine. Shabbot most Friday nights, candles at least every Friday. Temple on high holy holidays and other holidays. Jewish camp and pre-school. I just connect to the people. Feels more comfortable as it does for anyone whether it’s race, religion, or experiences. I also really like that we’re the Chosen People and don’t believe in Hell.

A big thanks to Rance for the interview. Good luck to him in the future. For more information on Rance check out www.chasynrance.com
And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine
For More Information Check Out WWW.THEGREATRABBINO.COM

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June 6, 2010 | 6:45 am

The Greatest Baseball Player of My Generation

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Today was a sad day in baseball. It is true that my favorite player of all-time is Frank Thomas. But if Big Frank wouldn’t have been on the White Sox I probably would have had Ken Griffey Jr. posters all over my room. Griffey was the greatest player of my generation. People can argue Bonds, Clemens, or whoever else they want. I would take Griffey. After Griffey left Seattle the first time his career took a major turn due to injury after injury. Yet he still is 5th all time in HRs. The top 6 are Bonds, Aaron, Ruth, Mays, Griffey, and Sosa. If you take away Bonds and Sosa for obvious reasons Griffey is left with the greatest players who ever played the game of baseball.

But besides his HRs he played a center fielder like only Mays could. Youtube is catches from his early days. You will be WOWed. If you are teaching your son or daughter how to hit, watch Griffey’s swing. Everything about this man was perfection. Sweet swinging, fence jumping, home run hitting, The Kid Ken Griffey Junior. In an age of steroids and corked bats, Griffey was the model citizen who succeed without cheating. That is why we should all rally around his amazing career.

Two years ago Griffey was traded to the White Sox. Sure he was past his prime. But I bought tickets the second he was traded to the South Side, because to see the best player of my era in Black and White was such a thrill. Chills went up and down my spine. Imagine Michael Jordan playing 30 games in your team’s jersey. Imagine Barry Sanders lining up in your team’s backfield for the last three weeks of a season. Would you go? How fast would you buy those tickets?

Well the age old question on TGR. How is this Jewish?

For once I wanted to not have a link and just give Griffey his props. But I couldn’t do that. I got the news from reading Sportsline.com. Through this article I realized that Jack Zduriencik (Jewish), Mariners general manager was Jewish. Zduriencik was responsible for bringing Griffey back to Seattle and giving Griffey his final hoorah as a Mariner. Zduriencik said, “This is a sad day for the Mariners…It is rare in this game when you get an opportunity to reunite a player and a team. We feel honored that Ken was able to end his career where it began, here in Seattle.”

I guess it was time for Jack Zduriencik and the Mariners to cut ties with Griffey. The fact is he isn’t producing and is a defensive liability. But what a class act by Zduriencik to bring Griffey back home. To honor him the way he should be. To solidify Griffey as the face of the organization.

Goodbye to the Griff. The game won’t be the same without you.

And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine
For More Information Visit WWW.THEGREATRABBINO.COM

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June 2, 2010 | 8:43 am

Sound the Sofar

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Tekiyah. Tru-ah. Shevarim. Tekiyah Gedolah. We hear those sounds during the High Holidays when the shofar sounds. The kids stand on chairs to see an older man standing on the bimah blowing everything he has into a large ram’s horn.

But the next time the Jews celebrate with a shofar blowing with be with future rabbi and current boxing star Yuri Foreman walking down to the ring at Yankee Stadium. “Welcome to Yankel Stadium,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “We are very fortunate to have Israel’s No. 1 entertainer Yoni Dror of Tel Aviv attending the fight to sound the shofar immediately prior to Yuri’s ring walk. Yoni was thrilled when we asked him and we were even happier he accepted. Yoni is beyond compare when it comes to sounding the shofar. It will be a very dramatic beginning to a very symbolic event.”

The Irish have bagpipes and now the Jews have the shofar.

Foreman who is 28-0 will face probably his toughest competition yet in Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto who is a former three time world champion. This will be the inaugural fight at the new Yankee Stadium.

So let the shofar sound and Foreman come out on top.

And Let Us Say…Amen.
- Jeremy Fine

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