MLB

Harrison Bader, Dean Kremer headline as Team Israel announces World Baseball Classic lineup

Several MLB players have been added to Team Israel's roster this year, in time for next month's World Baseball Classic.

 Apr 17, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets center fielder Harrison Bader (44) reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at Citi Field.
Alex Bregman meets the media during his first press conference after signing with the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on January 15, 2026.

Alex Bregman, who drew a Jewish star on his cap after October 7, inks $175M deal with the Cubs

Alon Leichman, former assistant pitching coach for the Miami Marlins, looks on before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  on April 18, 2025.

Alon Leichman becomes first Israeli head pitching coach in the MLB

WrestleMania signage on display the WWE Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, US, February 1, 2025; illustrative.

Disney subsidiary ESPN purchases WWE US streaming rights for $1.6b. over five year period


The top 10 Jewish sports moments of 2023, from Israel to the NFL

As 2023 comes to the end, we look back at some of the year's biggest moments in Jewish sports.

 Jacob Steinmetz pitched for Team Israel against the Dominican Republic, March 14, 2023, in Miami.

Jewish MLB star Ryan Braun headlines International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame’s 2024 inductees

14-year MLB veteran Ryan Braun, one of many former and current Jewish players to speak out in support of Israel, headlines the 2024 International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame inductees.

Ryan Braun 370

Israeli MLB player Dean Kremer says Israel will be 'in the back of my head'

Kremer became the first Israeli drafted into the big leagues in 2015 when he was selected by the San Diego Padres.

 ISRAELI-AMERICAN PITCHER Dean Kremer made his first career playoff start for the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday while thinking about family members in Israel.

US sports teams and athletes demonstrate unprecedented support for Israel amid war

Athletes and sports teams across the United States have shown support to Israel as it reels from Hamas attacks and an ongoing war.

 ISRAELI-AMERICAN PITCHER Dean Kremer made his first career playoff start for the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday while thinking about family members in Israel.

These six Jewish baseball players were just drafted into the MLB

The best bellwether of what’s to come is the MLB Draft, which included 20 rounds split between the past three nights. A total of 614 players were drafted this year.

 Illustrative photo of a baseball.

Jewish University of Virginia star Jake Gelof selected in second round of MLB Draft

Gelof joins a talented group of Jewish prospects who have been drafted in recent years.

 Jake Gelof playing for the University of Virginia, April 10, 2022.

Former baseball star Darryl Strawberry is now an evangelical preacher focused on promoting Israel

Strawberry, an eight-time MLB All-Star-turned-traveling-preacher, embarked on his first pilgrimage to Israel in 2018.

 Darryl Strawberry bats in a game between the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh in 1986.

Washington Nationals baseball team owner Ted Lerner dies at 97

Lerner was born and raised in Washington, DC to Orthodox Jewish parents.

Nationals owner Ted Lerner smiles during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Nationals baseball stadium in southeast Washington, May 4, 2006.

How an Israeli kibbutznik became an MLB pitching coach

Alon Leichman, the first athlete born in Israel to earn a major league baseball position, was recently named assistant pitching coach of the MLB's Cincinnati Reds.

 Alon Leichman, recently hired as a pitching coach for the Cincinnati Reds, pitches for Team Israel during the eighth inning of the Tokyo Olympic Games baseball opening round game against the United State in Yokohama, Japan, July 30, 2021.

Yankees outfielder Bader drops out of Team Israel’s World Baseball Classic roster, citing injuries

The Yankees outfielder cited a desire to recuperate after an injury-plagued season, but the Israeli team could still feature a dozen MLB players.

 Harrison Bader bats during the American League Championship Series between the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros, Oct. 20, 2022.