45 year-old observant Jew signs contract to play professional baseball
http://mmdnewswire.com/content/view/1143/
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I thought Bill Veeck died in 1987 and took his promotional stunts with him. While this guy may be a icon for all us 40-50 want-to-be's, it is only a publicity stunt that gives this guy his 15 minutes. You can tell it's pre-season if this is the best they can do.
When you have money, they'll do anything for you.
What ABSOLUTE NONSENSE!!!
What ABSOLUTE NONSENSE!!!
In the 60's,two brothers pitchers from the Dominican Republic (Olivo brothers) were big league rookies at age 42. Diomedes with the Pirates, and his brother with The Braves.
he was an associate coach at san diego state,plus the guy looks like he's in his twentys ,can still hit high 80's. it isn't like he's signed with the sox. and let's face it wouldn't we all want this chance. not to mention he's a nice guy.
You know a fair amount of stuff about Ari 20dad...that's very observant of you.
I don't doubt any of that but there are many nice guys half his age, with just as much talent in the indepenent Leagues that are just as worthy. He seems to be getting his shot because of his age and his religous affiliation. I understand it is a business, but I can still hope that the game is bigger than the "bean counters" running itquote:Originally posted by 20dad:
he was an associate coach at san diego state,plus the guy looks like he's in his twentys ,can still hit high 80's. it isn't like he's signed with the sox. and let's face it wouldn't we all want this chance. not to mention he's a nice guy.
in all reality the league is 4 teams i think and they play in israel, and you need to be jewish. not such a large story if it weren't for his age. if he was twenty and did it would that be any different? it just struck me strange to dump on a guy like this, it isn't like he stole the job.
woody
i coached his son in a local league that's why i know him.you can observe a lot by watching.lol
woody
i coached his son in a local league that's why i know him.you can observe a lot by watching.lol
Good info 20dad
John, maybe i missed it, but I saw nowhere in that brief article that said anything about him having money. Your statement concerns and dissapoints me. 
Good for you Ari!
Good for you Ari!
That is correct, you need to be jewish to play on the league.
If you read carefully, this player was unable to play on saturdays due to his observance of the sabbath, and I am glad to see he is getting his chance to do what he loves even at 45.
The theme here is to never give up and who really cares if there is more talent in the independent leagues that had nothing to do with the post.
Israel is very big on sports and have their own "olympic style" games for amateur's all over the world, called the maccabi games. It is week long competition where those of the jewish faith come from all parts the world to play, in different areas.
My son was a three year maccabi player and I was able to meet some really nice folks along the way, one of them being a webster who posts here. My son's fourth series was to take place in Israel, but the US Maccabi baseball divison withdrew for safety reasons, as the games would have been held during the first summer that the Israelis and Palestinians began their conflict. There have been many pro athletes that have particiapated in the games as young adults.
Baseball is enjoyed around the world, not just here in america or south america. And enjoyed by those of all faiths.
thanks Frank.
If you read carefully, this player was unable to play on saturdays due to his observance of the sabbath, and I am glad to see he is getting his chance to do what he loves even at 45.
The theme here is to never give up and who really cares if there is more talent in the independent leagues that had nothing to do with the post.
Israel is very big on sports and have their own "olympic style" games for amateur's all over the world, called the maccabi games. It is week long competition where those of the jewish faith come from all parts the world to play, in different areas.
My son was a three year maccabi player and I was able to meet some really nice folks along the way, one of them being a webster who posts here. My son's fourth series was to take place in Israel, but the US Maccabi baseball divison withdrew for safety reasons, as the games would have been held during the first summer that the Israelis and Palestinians began their conflict. There have been many pro athletes that have particiapated in the games as young adults.
Baseball is enjoyed around the world, not just here in america or south america. And enjoyed by those of all faiths.
thanks Frank.
quote:John, maybe i missed it, but I saw nowhere in that brief article that said anything about him having money. Your statement concerns and dissapoints me.
I too was a little taken aback by that statement.
I mentioned this very touching story to a local rabbi. He thought it was great that a dream can always be kept alive.
He was rather surprised that baseball would form a professional league in Israel before American football. He asked me if I knew what the favorite cheer would be in Israeli football.
"Get the quarter back."
He was rather surprised that baseball would form a professional league in Israel before American football. He asked me if I knew what the favorite cheer would be in Israeli football.
"Get the quarter back."
A reasonable inference can be drawn considering who and why.
How many 45 year olds in the US would get a chance to sign a pro contract?
I thought so.
How many 45 year olds in the US would get a chance to sign a pro contract?
I thought so.
Of course few 45 year olds would get a chance to sign a pro contract in the US. There are millions of youth players, and thousands of hs & college players preparing and qualifying to do just that.
However, in smaller countries, with limited or no baseball tradition, the universe of players has to expand. Particularly when the qualitifcations include citizenship or first-generation affiliation. Many pro European teams include players of, shall we say, more advanced years.
Which part of your nose sacrificed skin for this guy's new career, been?
However, in smaller countries, with limited or no baseball tradition, the universe of players has to expand. Particularly when the qualitifcations include citizenship or first-generation affiliation. Many pro European teams include players of, shall we say, more advanced years.
Which part of your nose sacrificed skin for this guy's new career, been?
I'm finding the mitt in the attic and heading for The Sports Authority for cleats.
Definitely doing it, well probably doing it, the big comeback is here...uh, maybe, umm, well, maybe, uh, I guess, well no, I'm not doing it. Definitely not.
But isn't it cool that a 45-year-old is really living it? I don't care about his religion or his money or that he might need Saturdays off. He's 45, just like me, and smack in the middle of our collective dream - to play baseball like a kid again. I wish him well and hope he loves every minute.
MJM
Definitely doing it, well probably doing it, the big comeback is here...uh, maybe, umm, well, maybe, uh, I guess, well no, I'm not doing it. Definitely not.
But isn't it cool that a 45-year-old is really living it? I don't care about his religion or his money or that he might need Saturdays off. He's 45, just like me, and smack in the middle of our collective dream - to play baseball like a kid again. I wish him well and hope he loves every minute.
MJM
Oh you youngsters...always dreaming!
How old was Satcheal Page when he pitched in the MLB??
If Duquette will stretch to pony up for a 47-year-old, I might be willing to convert!
I'm in no worse shape than David Wells, and only a few years older.
I think the key, though, is that Wells and this Julie fellow are both lefties. Sigh. Southpaws get all the breaks!
I'm in no worse shape than David Wells, and only a few years older.
I think the key, though, is that Wells and this Julie fellow are both lefties. Sigh. Southpaws get all the breaks!
Satch was 42 or thereabouts (he could have been 45, according to his Mom 
), but had been playing ball for 25 years straight.
), but had been playing ball for 25 years straight.
Geez John, you may want to flip your bed around and try waking up on that side tomorrow. If that doesn't work, then maybe it's time for a brand new bed all together. The one you currently have seems to have two wrong sides.
quote:Originally posted by Baseballdad1228:
But isn't it cool that a 45-year-old is really living it? I don't care about his religion or his money or that he might need Saturdays off. He's 45, just like me, and smack in the middle of our collective dream - to play baseball like a kid again. I wish him well and hope he loves every minute.
MJM
I think that was the point of the thread, had nothing to do with whether he had money or not, what his beliefs are.
Good observation. 
quote:Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
If Duquette will stretch to pony up for a 47-year-old, I might be willing to convert!
I'm in no worse shape than David Wells, and only a few years older.
I think the key, though, is that Wells and this Julie fellow are both lefties. Sigh. Southpaws get all the breaks!
Midlo dad- I'll carry your bag if it gets too heavy.
To All,
Let's all back up and look who originated this thread, Yes Andy, you. His intent is to find the buttons that can make people go off. This time it was age and religion. While the story had somewhat of an "atta boy" intent when published, it has turned out the way Andy intended, internal turmoil.
I am with Midlo Dad. I am 46 years old and believe I should be given a shot over this 45 year old rookie because I simply have more experience!!! 
quote:John, maybe i missed it, but I saw nowhere in that brief article that said anything about him having money. Your statement concerns and dissapoints me.
I'm not surprised by his statement...pretty much par for the course for him..
I agree with Tiger Paw Mom...the article was about finally taking advantage of an opportunity that, because of his lifestyle, he was unable to take advantage of earlier. How anyone can read this article and assume it has to due with money is perpetuating a very, very dangerous stereotype...Jewish=Money. Beenthere, I remember you taking a similar stance on a coach in Illinois being reprimanded for making comments about the Holocaust. I hope that I am reading your comments out of context.
This board has no place for racism or prejudice. For the most part, political views are kept off this board...which is appropriate. This board is about BASEBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and should be focused on that...not about racial or ethnic stereotypes. If the guy was good enough at 45 to play, he's good enough to play...period.
This board has no place for racism or prejudice. For the most part, political views are kept off this board...which is appropriate. This board is about BASEBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and should be focused on that...not about racial or ethnic stereotypes. If the guy was good enough at 45 to play, he's good enough to play...period.
boris,
Don't lay that stereotypical card on me. Definitely reading things out of context.
I was born in Lithuania in 1944 and my family fled to Germany because the Russians and Germans were making Lithuania a battleground. The Germans drafted (he had no choice) my father who died in combat at age 22 and left my mother a widow with 2 small children. We emigrated to the US in 1949.
I had nothing to do with the Holocaust. Just because a high school coach in Illinois wasn't as conversant as you are about the Holocaust doesn't make him a bad guy.
Here...the comments I made had nothing at all to do with Jews and money.
In my opinion, I just don't believe a former Major League gm would offer a contract for a 45 year old baseball player unless there was something "more to the story". Likely a gimmick, ala Bill Veeck.
Simple as that.
Don't lay that stereotypical card on me. Definitely reading things out of context.
I was born in Lithuania in 1944 and my family fled to Germany because the Russians and Germans were making Lithuania a battleground. The Germans drafted (he had no choice) my father who died in combat at age 22 and left my mother a widow with 2 small children. We emigrated to the US in 1949.
I had nothing to do with the Holocaust. Just because a high school coach in Illinois wasn't as conversant as you are about the Holocaust doesn't make him a bad guy.
Here...the comments I made had nothing at all to do with Jews and money.
In my opinion, I just don't believe a former Major League gm would offer a contract for a 45 year old baseball player unless there was something "more to the story". Likely a gimmick, ala Bill Veeck.
Simple as that.