April 28, 2010 | 10:51 pm

Different Kind of Ring

Posted by Jeremy Fine

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Today is a TGR first. Today’s story is about gymnastics. Actually, a gymnast many of you may remember. Kerri Strug was an Olympic gold medalist in 1996. Many of you may remember her remarkable moment on the Vault with a sprained ankle. America went on to win the gold and Strug’s Vault performance was a key element in their victory. With that moment Strug captured the hearts of Americans everywhere, especially Jewish Americans.

The reason I have chosen today to write about Strug is because the cover story of Yahoo.com was about her. But it had little to do with her 1996 performance rather it was about her recent marriage. Maybe its not a “Sports” story but its good to know where our Jewish athletic heroes are today. Strug married Robert Fischer (with that name there is a decent chance it was an intra-marriage) in Tuscon, Arizona. “Strug, who lives in Washington D.C. and works for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, met her husband through mutual friends. She admits that growing up, her life was so geared towards gymnastics that she didn’t date much.” -Yahoo.com

You can learn more about Strug at her website www.strug.org. She spends most of her free time working with various charities that you can learn about on her website. Best of luck to Strug and thanks for ‘96.

On a completely different note in honor of The Great Rabbino’s new relationship with JewishMajorLeaguers.org we are giving away a free TGR baseball Tshirt from www.thegreatrabbino.com. Tell us why you deserve a free shirt at info@thegreatrabbino.com. Best reason (funniest reason) and you win!  Check out the TShirts at www.thegreatrabbino.com!!

And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine
For more information on anything Jewish in sports check out www.TheGreatRabbino.com.

April 27, 2010 | 12:15 am

Jewish Sports 1-49

Posted by Jeremy Fine

From the 2nd day of Passover until Shavuot Jews count each day with a special prayer (49 days total). The time in between the holidays (Exodus from Egypt to receiving the Torah) is called the Omer. During the Omer people study pirkei avot, don’t shave (notice some of your rabbis will have longer beards), and don’t get haircuts. Personally, I am sporting a beard right now but I trim it for Shabbat, which is a common custom.  Here is the wikipedia page on the Omer (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counting_of_the_Omer)

Many people have different ways for remembering to count the Omer. I have seen a Simpsons calendar, an IPhone App reminder, and the plain old going to synagogue and doing to at services. TGR had a Jewish sports response to counting the Omer. Below is your Jewish sports Omer counter. Enjoy.

1 – Jordan Farmar’s UCLA jersey number.

2 – Taylor Mays’ USC jersey number.

3 – Jerry Reinsdorf has won two 3-peat Championships with the Chicago Bulls.

4 – Jersey number of NBA Hall of Famer Dolph Schayes

5 – Jersey number of MLB Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg.

6 – Jersey number of Israeli basketball sensation Tal Brody.

7 – Jersey number of converted Jew and LA Dodger great Steve Yeager.

8 – Jersey number of Milwaukee Brewer Ryan Braun.

9 – On 9/9 in 1965 Sandy Koufax threw his last no hitter.

10 – Jersey numbers of NHLer Matheiu Schneider

11 – Jersey numbers of NFLer Julian Edelman, NHLer Jeff Halpern, and former Connecticut Huskies great Doron Scheffer

12 – Number of catcher Brad Ausmus

13 – Jersey number of NHLers Michael Cammarelli and Mike Brown

14 – Number of Grand slam titles won by tennis great Pete Sampras

15 – Jersey number of Israeli soccer great Yossi Benayoun.

16 – Jersey number of former Giants pitcher Ryan Sadowski.

17 – Combined WWE, WCW, ECW, and TNA World Titles held by Kevin Nash, Bill Goldberg, Raven, and Macho Man.

18 – Jersey number of Kings’ forward Omri Casspi.

19 – Jersey number of Rays’ outfielder Gabe Kapler

20 – Jersey number of MLBer KevinYoukilis and former MLBers Shawn Green and Joe Horlen

21 - Jersey number of Nationals pitcher Jason Marquis.

22 – Shay Doron’s Maryland jersey number.

23 – Jersey number of NHLer Eric Nystrom

24 – Jersey number of former Orlando Magic Danny Schayes.

25 – Number of wins posted by Steve Stone in his Cy Young Award winning season.

26 – Number in the NBA draft that Jordan Farmar was drafted.

27 – Number of complete games Sandy Koufax pitched in 1965 and 1966 and the age Koufax won the Cy Young and MVP awards in the same season.

28 – Number of wins for boxer Yuri Foreman and Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl in 2009/2010.

29 – Jersey number of Mets rookie Ike Davis.

30 – Jon Scheyer’s Duke jersey number.

31 – Number of home runs and stolen bases that Ian Kinsler had in 2009.

32 – Jersey number of Sandy Koufax.

33 – Number Mark Spitz was listed in Sports Illustrated’s 100 athletes of the 20th century.

34 – Jersey number of MLBer John Grabow and former MLBer Ross Baumgarten.

35 – Number in the NFL draft that the San Diego Chargers drafted Igor Olshansky in 2004.

36 – In 1936 Milton Green and Norman Cahners boycotted the Olympics in Germany.

37 – Number of Home Runs Ryan Braun hit in 2008.

38 – In 1939 Hank Greenberg hit 58 home runs.

39 – Jersey number of Texas Ranger Scott Feldman.

40 – Highest ranking of former ATPer Paul Goldstein.

41 – Number in the NFL draft that Andre Tippet by the New England Patriots.

42 – Jersey number of Chicago Bear Sid Luckman.

43 – Number of home runs Al Rosen hit in his 1953 MVP season.

44 – Number of league leading home runs Hank Greenberg hit in his last season with the Tigers.

45 – In 1945 the Philadelphia SPHAs won their 7th and last title.

46 – In 1946 Sid Luckman led the Chicago Bears to a title.

47 – Number of home runs Ron Blomberg hit for the NY Yankees.

48 – In 1948 Ilona Schacherer-Elek won Olympic gold in the Individual Foil.

49 – In 1949 Maurice Podoloff merged the BAA and the NBA and Dolph Schayes was named rookie of the year.

And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine
For more on Jewish sports please visit www.TheGreatRabbino.com.

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April 25, 2010 | 8:53 am

Taylor Mays vs. Pete Carroll

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Sometimes I used to watch Coach Bobby Knight on the sidelines and think, wow I would do anything to play for him. That is right. Bobby Knight. He was stern but fair. He was loyal and committed to his players and to winning. I think about other great coaches like John Wooden, Coach K, Jerry Sloan and of course Ozzie Guillen (and the little basketball coach from Saved By The Bell in the episode where Zack goes to the hospital). These are coaches who people rally around.

But you know who I wouldn’t want to play for….Pete Carroll. I know he has won championship after championship. He is a great recruiter. But for the second year in a row he threw one of his players under the bus.

Last year it was Mark Sanchez. Carroll was critical of Sanchez’s decision to go pro. Very rarely do you see a coach publicly bash his player’s choice. Did Callipari dis DRose? No, because good coaches are there for the team and the players.

Carroll stepped over the line once again. Last year, Taylor Mays (Jewish mother, Bar Mitzvahed, TGR Obsession) had an amazing junior campaign Carroll advised him not to go pro. Mays was a lock to be a top 10 pick. He was the preseason god of awards. But Mays, and the Trojans for that matter, had a less than superb year. Mays fell hard into the second round costing himself millions of dollars.

Carroll, who is now coaching the Seattle Seahawks, began the draft he needed help in the secondary. So when the 14th pick came around, Mays felt that his coach, his mentor, his “Adviser” would surely scoop him up and show Mays he did the right thing. Instead Carroll picked Earl Thomas out of Texas. Is Thomas better? Maybe. Did Carroll have a moral imperative to pick Mays? You be the judge. But I say yes.

If Carroll ever goes back to the college game, if I were Mays I would make it known to everyone of Carroll’s track record. Mays had this to say: “I thought, I definitely thought from the relationship that we have, from the things that [Carroll] had told me about what I needed to be, what the draft process is, things that I needed to do, I felt he told me the complete opposite of the actions that he took,” [Mays said.] “There were things he told me I needed to do as a football player versus the actions he took and who he took as a safety. I understand it’s a business, but with it being a business, honesty is all I’m asking for.” [...]“I look forward to playing for Coach [Mike] Singletary 16 games a year than I look forward to playing against Coach Carroll twice a year.”

If I can leave you with two thoughts. 1) Pete Carroll pissed Taylor Mays and myself off. Sports should be about loyalty and Carroll has none. 2) How scary is the hard hitting Taylor Mays going to be with coach Mike Singletary. The 49ers just became my second favorite team.

And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine
For more on Taylor Mays and everything else Jewish Sports related check out www.TheGreatRabbino.com

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April 20, 2010 | 2:34 am

The Ike Davis Era Begins

Posted by Jeremy Fine

A few months back we posted about the future of Jewish sports. We spoke about Omri Casspi who has already had an impact. Jon Scheyer who played up to his potential. And of course, our main man, Taylor Mays who is about to be a first round draft pick in the NFL draft. But in baseball we introduced you to Ike Davis. Well, starting today it is Davis’ turn to turn the Jewish baseball world upside down.

Ike Davis began the season in the AAA affiliate of the New York Mets. The Mets start 4-8 with little to no talent at first base. Davis bats .364 to begin the season after hitting .480 with 3 home runs in spring training. So the Mets insert Davis into the lineup. He will mostly be hitting against right handers, as he still has some trouble with lefties. He is a solid defender who can hit for power and average, something the Mets have needed for a long time. Finally, Mets fans can see David Wright throw to someone who matters.

“Sunday night, the Mets made sure everyone knew that Davis was about to be promoted. And yet they didn’t tell Davis himself until after batting practice Monday in Buffalo, making sure that 1) he had to rush to New York for his first game, Monday night at Citi Field against the Cubs, and 2) there was no way his parents could make the trip from the West Coast to see him play. Sunday night, the Mets made sure everyone knew that Davis was about to be promoted. And yet they didn’t tell Davis himself until after batting practice Monday in Buffalo, making sure that 1) he had to rush to New York for his first game, Monday night at Citi Field against the Cubs, and 2) there was no way his parents could make the trip from the West Coast to see him play.” -CBSsportsline.com

How did Davis respond? He went 2-4 with an RBI and more importantly was part of a 6-1 victory (extra nice because it was over the Cubs).

Davis made quite an impression. He is making tons of press (CBSSportsline, ESPN, The Great Rabbino =)).

Very exciting day for fans of Jewish baseball. Enjoy the ride.
And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine
For More on Ike Davis, Jewish Baseball, and everything Jewish in Sports check out www.TheGreatRabbino.com.

 

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April 17, 2010 | 10:19 pm

For The Baseball Card Lover In You

Posted by Jeremy Fine

The Great Rabbino received this notice via email. Check it out.

Newton, MA – April 8, 2010 – The 2010 edition of Jewish Major Leaguer baseball cards salutes what was probably the greatest decade in the game’s history for Jewish players, with players like Shawn Green, Kevin Youkilis, Jason Marquis, Ian Kinsler, Ryan Braun and Scott Feldman rising to all-star status, and more filling rosters than in any previous decade in baseball annals.

        Twenty-nine Jewish players appeared during the decade, with 14 in one season, the most ever.  Youkilis was named Player of the Decade in a poll conducted by JewishMajorLeaguers.org, which produces the annual set, and which has announced that this, the sixth edition, will be the last.

        “We remained true to our word to the purchasers of the original set in 2005, that they were buying the complete set with all players in history,” said Martin Abramowitz, whose vision of educating fans about “American Jews in America’s Game,” led to its creation.  The response was wonderful – a sold out product, and a national dialogue on the subject, leading to two Cooperstown seminars.  We’d like to think we may have helped in popularizing the subject, which has led to at least two films, and several books, with more on the way.  The update sets were a response to fan demand, as well as to the continuing influx of Jewish players onto big league rosters.  But we feel we’ve met our mission at least in terms of a card product with the updates, and this one will be a grand finale to the project.”

        The 50-card set includes the 29 players, career leader cards, a decade-leader stat card, a card honoring Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, the president of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Jeff Idelson, and a card honoring the leader of the Major League Baseball Players Association (Michael Weiner) along with two of his predecessors (Marvin Miller and Donald Fehr).

        Among the 29 players of the 2000’s are some who came and went quickly –– but who will live on as among the all-time Jewish players.  The total through 2009 is an easy-to-remember (for baseball fans), 162, equal to the numbers of games in a season.

        The 2010 edition calls attention to some remarkable feats in the decade – Green’s 19 total bases in one game, Kinsler’s 6-for-6 “cycle” game, Youkilis’s consecutive game and chances fielding records at first base, Marquis becoming the first Jewish pitcher since Sandy Koufax to have six consecutive double-digit victory seasons, and Green setting a games played record for Jewish players – one which Brad Ausmus figures to pass in 2010 with two appearances.  (Ausmus is again on the roster of the Los Angeles Dodgers).

        “While we do not plan on another card set at this time,” said Abramowitz, “the organization will continue.  We will maintain the website to maintain the flow of educational news.  We’ve been so gratified by the public response, by being able to give about 40 players their first and only baseball card, {in the original set}, and by getting Jewish contributions to the game into standard baseball dialogue.”

        Funding for this 2010 set was made possible in part through the generosity of the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball, the Florida Marlins, the New York Mets, the Chicago White Sox, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Washington Nationals.

        Orders are now being filled via JML’s web site at www.jewishmajorleaguers.org. or by $39 checks to JML at 104 Greenlawn Avenue Newton, MA 02459. There are also a limited number of 2008 and 2009 sets available. (The 2008 set featured a subset honoring Hank Greenberg, and the 2009 set saluted Jewish record-setters.).

And Let Us Say…Amen.
For more in the Jewish sports world check out www.TheGreatRabbino.com

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April 15, 2010 | 11:39 am

NBA Season Comes to and End (For Casspi)

Posted by Jeremy Fine

The NBA regular season has come to and end. My Bullies barely grabbed the dreaded 8th spot. Lucky them having to face King James in the opening round. DRose is great but not a miracle worker.

But let us get down to what matters. The Jewish NBA. Clearly, this year’s biggest story centers around the arrival Omri Casspi. The Israeli sensation took the league by storm. He finished the season averaging 10.3 points , 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. A pretty solid first year. Plus if you add in his Rookie All Star Game appearance and competing the All Star weekend’s H-O-R-S-E game, it was a big success. There might even be some end of the year hardware for Casspi.

But Casspi did fade off towards the end. Maybe it was the rigorous schedule or the league figuring out how to defend him, around game 50 he began tailing off.

In the Kings final game of the season they lost to Jordan Farmar’s LA Lakers. Farmar only played 6 minutes…why? Because he strained his hamstring. He still managed to tie Casspi in points for the evening with 4. Farmar’s injury really hurts the Lakers bench. Farmar has come on strong as of late. He finished the season 7.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg, and 1.5 apg. While Casspi had the better numbers, Farmar’s Lakers are playoff bound.

The NBA only sports two Jewish players. Hopefully next year Casspi and Farmar will be joined by Jon Scheyer and Sylven Landesberg. Therefore we decided to make the NBA end of the year award a NBA Sportsman award instead of Player of the Year award. Joining Casspi and Farmar are Charlotte Bobcats’ Head Coach Larry Brown and Dallas Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban.

Larry Brown lead the Bobcats to its first ever playoff appearance. They finished 7th in the Eastern Conference. The thing about the Bobcats is that they do not have a star player. Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace do most of the scoring, but they do not have a true superstar. Brown deserves much of the credit. The team finished 44-38 which is 9 more wins than the season before.

Mark Cuban is arguably the most fun guy in the NBA. His Mavericks always try and make things interesting. They finished 2nd in the Western Conference with a 55-27 record. But most importantly Cuban brought in Caron Butler mid-season which gives the team a serious chance at a title. Butler, alongside Shawn Marion who was brought in before this season make the Mavericks a contender. Cuban never stops trying.

So there are your four finalist for TGR’s NBA Sportsman of the Year. The poll will be open posted on www.TheGreatRabbino.com for a few weeks (I figure since the NBA playoffs never end, why should the poll). Please vote for the best or your favorite. And good luck to Farmar, Brown, and Cuban in the playoffs.

And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine
For More on the NBA Playoffs and everything Jewish in sports check out www.TheGreatRabbino.com

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April 12, 2010 | 11:31 pm

Interview: Former Nice Jewish Boy Turns Into Brimstone

Posted by Jeremy Fine

TGR is, as you all know by now, big on wrestling. We have showcased Colt Cabana several times. Recently, I got a tip about another Jewish wrestler named Brimstone. Brimstone, like Colt, is an independent wrestler. In the old days all wrestlers started small, honed their craft, and then tried to make it to the WWE or NWA. Brimstone seems like that kind of guy. Old school in nature. He leaves it all in the ring. Personally, I would love to see Colt and Brim mix it up in the ring for the Jewish Heavyweight Title…hmmm…there’s an idea.

INTERVIEW:
1) How did you get started in the business?
I had the opportunity to meet with a few icons in the industry at a small convention while I was working for the Village Voice’s sister publication, the LI Voice.  I’ll never forget meeting the Iron Sheik for the first time and him telling me, “you look like a wrestler, you should be a wrestler!” in that special ‘Sheik like’ way.  Following our intriguing conversation, Bret Hart approached me and offered his advice on getting into the business.  I took it as some type of omen that these two athletes of such high caliber would have any interest in talking to me in general, not to mention offering positive advice.  I found out soon after that there was a new professional wrestling school opening up in Queens, New York called The Doghouse.  To make a longer story as short as possible… I began training in 1996 under the tutelage of Homicide, Low-Ki (Senshi in TNA or Kaval in WWE), Laithon and the Original Gino Caruso (Super Calo in WCW).  The rest is history.  Eventually, I branched out and opened my own school Critical Mass Professional Wrestling and federation, the New York Wrestling Connection.

2) Where are you currently wrestling and have you ever held any championships?
Up until last year I was a mainstay at Pro Wrestling Revolution which was run by one of my former students, “Johnny Ova.”  It was a great promotion while it was open with a lot of homegrown talent to watch for.  Funny thing was it was run out of a church and I’m as Jewish as Jewish gets!  I did my time and paid my dues traveling in and out of the country, I am currently spending my time on marketing everything Brimstone.  I’m not a one trick pony; I have a comic book based on my character, a Brimstone video game in the works for Xbox LIVE, multiple film roles, television projects, my autobiography and the BrimWEAR clothing line.  Things are a bit too busy to be wrestling as much these days.  Add in family time, appearances and the vast charities I work with and I barely have enough time to think!  I love the business and everything it’s given back to me, but I also don’t want to be that guy in his sixties still bumping around the ring!  After thirteen years I figured it was a good time to start focusing on the continued branding of the name outside of the squared circle.  I did hold numerous championships while touring including the NYWC, NWA and Wrestling World Wide Heavyweight Championship as well as the NYWC, LIWF and PWR Tag Team Championship.  I’ve held others as well; however these are the ones I was proudest to achieve.

3) Who was your favorite opponent of all-time and your favorite match?
My favorite match of all time was when I teamed up with John “Earthquake” Tenta as an honorary “Natural Disaster” against the Bushwhackers.  It was an honor and a privilege to be asked by John to be his partner.  Luke actually ribbed me in the locker room before the event (which can be read about in my upcoming autobiography).  A couple of years ago, Luke and I were reunited at an independent event and he filled me in about how the rib came about… Tenta set me up!  Rest in Peace John, we miss you!!!

4) What are your future wrestling goals?
As I mentioned earlier, I am currently focusing more on mainstream appeal.  I will always be a part of the business and the business will always be a part of me!  I have a few things that I am working on involving wrestling with my friend and fellow Jew in wrestling, Missy Hyatt.  Aside from this project, who knows what the future will hold.

5) Which other Jewish wrestler would you most like to face and why? (Raven, Colt Cabana, Goldberg, or Randy Savage).
Barry Horowitz hands down!  Do you realize that Barry is one of the most under-rated and technically sound workers in the history of professional wrestling?  If I had to choose from your list though, I’d say Goldberg… for the simple fact that I’d like to see once and for all whose spear is more devastating! 

6) What was your Jewish upbringing like? Do you do anything Jewish today? What is your connection to Judaism?
It’s very interesting… every time someone hears that I am Jewish, the normal response is, “Get out of here! You don’t LOOK Jewish!”  The truth of it all is that I’ve had a very close relationship with my religion throughout my life.  I began attending the Suburban Temple in Wantagh, New York at an early age for my religious studies and I continued there until my Bar Mitzvah on September 5, 1987.  I also stuck with the Suburban Temple Youth Group (SUYO) well after becoming Bar Mitzvah.  My summers consisted of being shipped to all Jewish camps such as H.A.N.C. (Hebrew Academy of Nassau County) and Camp Eisner in Massachusetts.  I’m not going to lie, I hated it at the time; but in retrospect it has made me a better person.  I learned a lot and had experiences that I may not have had otherwise.  I grew up in Uniondale, New York which is a predominantly black and Hispanic area; so it was a real challenge being the only Jew in the school, this included the teachers.  I became the official educator of basic Jewish studies whenever the holidays came around!  After I graduated elementary school, my mother signed me up for the Liberal Jewish Day School / American Jewish Academy as opposed to the local junior high school (middle school for you young folk) in which I attended until my last two years of high school back in Uniondale.  I may not look like your stereotypical Jew… but I’m certainly more “Jewish” than most!  Truth is, I am proud of my heritage and who I am.  I continue to try and give back to not only the community, but the Jewish community by making special appearances in Hebrew schools and Temples to talk to the kids about being all they can be.  I’m glad that I can show a younger generation that Jews can be strong athletes and be a dominant force to be reckoned with (especially in a sport not known to contain many Jews)!  My family and I try to attend Synagogue on all the religious holidays when my scheduling permits.  I was actually nominated for the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame twice but have not been inducted.  It was nice to be thought of; I actually received some really nice recommendations… I guess pro-wrestling still isn’t considered a “real sport.”

7) Did you always want to be a wrestler? Who inspired you?
Actually, I have always loved wrestling… but my first love was music.  I was a drummer for a very long time and enjoyed success performing in bands for years before wrestling.  I was inspired to want to wrestle by The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels and Ultimate Warrior, each for specific reasons.  Although, I was also inspired by the people who paved the path for me to pursue a career outside of the ring!  If it were not for talent like Captain Lou Albano (like another father to me), Hulk Hogan, Mick Foley, The Rock… there would not be guys like me!  These are the people who blazed the way to prove that wrestlers can be more than just meatheads and can be successful in all of entertainment.  I’m a business minded and goal oriented person, so to see what these guys have accomplished and to emulate that… that is truly inspiring to me.

8) What would your dream match look like?
Any match where both parties can display their strengths and tell a story in the ring.

9) Best wrestling Diva of All-Time? (Trish Stratus, Stacey Kiebler, Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim, Tammy Sytch)
Well I love Trish and Tammy… but I would have to side with closer friends of mine and make it a three way tie for Diva between Torrie Wilson, Missy Hyatt and Dawn Marie.  Trish however is the best worker of the bunch, there is a huge difference.

10) Do you watch WWE and if so what do you think about WWE NXT?
I have not ‘watched’ wrestling in years except when I heard Bret was doing a stint back on WWE.  Every so often I’ll tune in to see friends, but for the most part I am not crazy about the direction they have taken.  Truth is, wrestling back in the day was something that families could watch together… Grandparents to little kids!  Nowadays, it has gotten to a point where it is extremely raunchy.  I won’t even let my kids watch the product and they know a lot of the guys personally.  TNA has been taking that stance as well which upsets me.  Only thing I know about NXT is that it is similar to the Tough Enough project, but utilizing the boys who actually deserve the opportunity. 

Big Thanks to Brimstone for hanging out with TGR. For more on Brimstone check out Entrancetohell.com or www.thebrimstoneroast.com.
And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine
Photos by: Heidi Kikel and Fernando Cuestas

For More Jewish Sports Stories and News check out www.TheGreatRabbino.com

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April 11, 2010 | 4:36 am

No Jewish Masters

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Yes The Great Rabbino prefers baseball, basketball, football, and wrestling…but I also really like the Masters. I am not the biggest golfing fan but ever since my I met my wife and realized my father-in-law’s passion for the game, I have gotten more involved. But…its hard for TGR to write about it.

We have a handful of baseball and football players. The popularity of basketball and hockey are growing. We even have Jewish skaters and wrestlers. But for some reason golf is just one sport we can’t really make it in.

It is one thing to not have any good players, but we barely have any players. None in the masters. None ranked.

We do have a few players who were born Jewish or have a Jewish parent. Corey Pavin was born Jewish but has publicly converted to Christianity and preaches Christ. Jim Oppenheim has a Jewish father but doesn’t consider himself Jewish at all. Jonathon Kaye is Jewish but isn’t really a factor in the golfing world. Also, Skip Kendall is supposedly Jewish, but I have no confirmation on that. So the PGA tour seems to be without a real J-E-W.

What do we have going for us in the Jewish golfing world?

The LPGA does have Morgan Pressel, who is actually pretty good. You can check out her website morganpressel.org/index.php.

Tony Kornheiser is Jewish but not a golfer. However, he holds a charity golf tournament every year. Go to www.kornheiserwilbongolf.com to learn more about it.

Lastly, we have Tom Watson. No, Watson is not Jewish. But he married a Jewish woman. And while I am not saying intermarriage is a good thing for the Jews, Watson has stood up against anti-semitism. One of the first articles TGR ever posted was about Waston’s stand. If you haven’t been with us since day one, check it out at www.thegreatrabbino.com/2009/07/tom-watson-i-salute-you.html.

If you love golf and the Masters and you are having trouble finding someone Jewish to root for, I say root for Watson. A friend of the Jews and it would make for an amazing story for the 60 year old. He has fallen a little back since day one and as of now is -2 (10 off the leader), but we can root for a good finish for Watson.

And Let Us Say…Amen.
-Jeremy Fine

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