July 6, 2010 | 6:57 am

Top 7 Jewish Sports Stories of the Decade

Posted by Jeremy Fine

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The #5 story of the decade is very near and dear to my heart. William Davidson, a Jewish philanthropist, owned the Detroit Pistons, Detroit Shock, and the Tampa Bay Lightening. And something miraculous happened in 2003-2004. All 3 of Davidson’s teams won their respective championships. He became the first sports owner to win 3 championships in 3 different sporting leagues. This was really an amazing accomplishment.

Davidson passed away in 2009. Besides being a sports team owner he has given so much back to the Jewish world. His interests include Israel and Jewish education. He gave millions of dollars to those two causes notably the entrance at Robinsons Arch near the Western Wall and the JTS School of Education.

William Davidson was a special human being and 2003-2004 were special years for this amazing man.

And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine
For An Advanced Look At The Top 7 Check Out WWW.THEGREATRABBINO.COM

July 5, 2010 | 12:05 pm

Your 2 (3?) 2010 MLB All Stars

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Congrats to Ian Kinsler and Ryan Braun who both made this year’s MLB All Star game. Braun will start in the outfield for the National League. He is batting .295 with 11 home runs to go along with 51 RBIs, 50 runs, and 11 stolen bases. He is on pace for a fantastic season.

Kinsler who spent a solid portion of the season on the DL, got into the All Star game as a third second baseman for the American League. Since Kinsler has returned he is batting. 299 with 3 homers, 26 RBIs, 44 runs, and 6 swiped bags. Solid numbers as well.

Braun led all NL outfielders in voting with 2,262,663 votes just edging out the Braves’ rookie Jason Heyward. Kinsler was third for AL second baseman behind Robinson Cano and Dustin Pedroia. He received 1,302,245. This will be Kinsler’s 2nd All Star game and Braun’s 3rd game.

The 3? in the title is for Kevin Youkilis who is in the final vote. Fans can go on MLB.com and vote for Kevin Youkilis. Youkilis will be joined by Paul Konerko, Nick Swisher, Delmon Young, and Michael Young. TGR fans vote early and vote often. Here is the voting link mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2010/fv/ballot.html.

And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine
Enjoy more on Jewish sports at WWW.THEGREATRABBINO.COM

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July 2, 2010 | 4:25 pm

Top 7 Jewish Sports Stories of the Decade

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Today we bring you story number 6. If it were the late 90s this story would have been number 1, almost for sure. But the story was dying down by the year 2000, yet it was strong enough to put here at number 6.

In the late 90s Tamir Goodman did for basketball what Sandy Koufax and Hank Greenberg did for baseball. He turned it into a Jewish phenom. There wasn’t a Jew who didn’t know of Tamir Goodman. Labeled the “Jewish Jordan” by Sports Illustrated he found himself on magazine covers and television shows.

But eventually the “Jewish Jordan” turned out to be more like the “Jewish Sam Bowie”...and that is even stretching it. By 2000 Goodman was no longer holding a scholarship to then top program Maryland. He was reduced to going to Towson University. There he found little success on the court. After a little more than a season Goodman moved to Israel. He began playing in the Holy Land for several years on a few teams.

This year he announced his reitrement from the game of basketball. Goodman’s career never lived up to the hype. But Goodman brought many Jewish fans to the game of basketball. He still works on getting kids excited about basketball and helping them realize they do not have to choose between the ball and their tefillin.

And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine
For a quicker view at the top 7 stories check out WWW.THEGREATRABBINO.COM

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July 1, 2010 | 4:20 pm

NBA Free Agency Begins

Posted by Jeremy Fine

NBA free agency has begun. Total excitement. And of course we are all in anticipation of where one man will sign. That man is the legend, the myth, two time NBA Champion Jordan Farmar. Yes, that is right. Farmar has two more rings than Lebron. Why shouldn’t we be interested.

So far the Pacers have shown the most interest. It would be a great fit for Farmar because he would most likely get the chance to start. The Pacers would get a winner and leader at the PG position.

But in all seriousness, LeBron James fever is everywhere. Dabullseye.com posted the video below. If you weren’t interested before you should be now…especially if you are a Bulls fan.

And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine
For more information on the Jewish NBA check out WWW.THEGREATRABBINO.COM

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June 29, 2010 | 11:04 am

The Great Rabbino: Top 7 Jewish Sports Stories of the Decade

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Over the next few week we will be posting the top 7 stories of the decade. The Great Rabbino website ran these stories a while back but they were never featured on the Jewish Journal. Since they were a big hit, we decided to post them here too. This list is totally of the opinion of TGR but we are fairly confident that we made the right choices. We felt the top 6 stories were pretty obvious. The 7th (today’s story) we struggled with. Just so you know the stories that were thrown out were Bar Refaeli making the cover of Sports Illustrated (trust me it was hard to take her accomplishment off the list, but we felt our reasoning for keeping it had little to do with sports). Also, just coming up short were Andre Tippett’s induction to the Football Hall of Fame and 2008 Baseball All Star game having three Jewish players. So what is number 7? One word.

GOLDBERG.

No not the hockey player from the Mighty Ducks, but rather Bill Goldberg of WCW/WWE fame. Now people might not be happy with number 7 and think that we here at TGR love wrestling too much (at least I do), but hear me out.

After Bill Goldberg, probably one of the most famous and recognizable wrestlers ever, left WCW (or WCW died out) he was out of a job. Goldberg, after much dispute and months/years of negotiations finally joins the WWE in 2003. Soon thereafter he wins the World Heavyweight Championship at the pay per view titled Unforgiven.

So why is this so important or worthy of the 7th slot. Goldberg, unlike many Jews, has never concealed his Jewish identity. From day one, everyone in the wrestling world knew that Goldberg, a former NFL Linebacker, was Jewish. And that made Goldberg special to the Jewish world. Finally, a Jew kicking ass all over the world. He speared the crapped out of everyone from Hulk Hogan to Ric Flair.

This past year Goldberg was inducted into the Jewish Hall of Fame. And recently, has been in talks with WWE about a possible return.

TGR decided to give Goldberg slot number 7 because of his Jewish pride and never backing down from a fight (even the fake ones).

And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine
Check out more at WWW.THEGREATRABBINO.COM

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June 28, 2010 | 6:44 am

NBA Summer League

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Unfortunately, for Jewish basketball fans both Jon Scheyer and Sylven Landesberg did not get drafted. Now both are going to try make an NBA team the old fashion way…by earning it.

Their journey starts in the NBA summer league. Landesberg was immediately scooped up by the Sacramento Kings. That’s right Landesberg is going to join Omri Casspi this summer. We will be keeping an eye on what could be a dynamic Jewish combo. Click HERE for more.

While there is no confirmation to where Scheyer is headed, sources say he is headed to Miami. This would be a nice fit for Scheyer because Miami could use a shooter and has some roster spots available.

Good Luck to both and we will keep you posted.

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

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June 24, 2010 | 10:04 pm

NBA Draft Disappoints

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Well, for weeks now TGR has been trying to follow Jon Scheyer and Sylven Landesberg as they prepare to get drafted into the NBA. I am sadly reporting that neither was taken in the 2010 NBA draft. In fact many no names were taken as Scheyer a national champion from Duke sat and watched the draft come to an end at midnight EST.

I suspect both players will get invited to NBA rookie camps and try to latch on after that. If not, I am sure Maccabi Tel Aviv is waiting.

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June 23, 2010 | 9:21 pm

Longest Tennis Match Ever NOT Played By A Jew

Posted by Jeremy Fine

So many people want to know is John Isner, who just played the longest tennis match ever, Jewish? The answer is NO, sorry. Below was taken from his website.

YOU ARE A GREAT ROLE MODEL, BY ANY CHANCE, ARE YOU OF JEWISH DESCENT?
Submitted by Judith Meyer, Briarcliff,New York
I’m glad to hear that you think I’m a good role model, i appreciate that comment. Actually I am not of jewish decent but I get asked that frequently I guess because my last name sounds somewhat jewish.

For more information check out WWW.THEGREATRABBINO.COM

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