Book Review: Jews in Baseball

Jews in Baseball

Burton and Benita Boxerman

Vol. 1, 232 pages

Vol. 2, 340 pages

McFarland Publishing

$45.00 each

Available at All on the Same Page Bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble

“Long before Hank Greenberg earned recognition as baseball's greatest Jewish player, Jews had developed a unique, and very close, relationship with the American pastime. In the late nineteenth century, as both the American Jewish population and baseball's popularity grew rapidly, baseball became an avenue by which Jewish immigrants could assimilate into American culture. Beyond the men (and, later, women) on the field, in the dugout, and at the front office, the Jewish community produced a huge base of fans and students of the game.”

“This history follows up on the well-received first volume and traces the arc of Jews in baseball after Hank Greenberg retired in 1948. During this postwar period, Jews saw greater acceptance into the American mainstream as organized anti-Semitism was largely displaced by greater affluence, education, and a more geographically dispersed Jewish community.”

Volume One of these informative books covers the years 1871-1948, and includes bios and photos from great baseball players such as Pike and Greenberg. Volume Two, 1949-2008, covers Rosen, Koufax, and Green, as well as “…Jewish owners, executives, sportswriters, broadcasters, and even a commissioner.”

Educational and interesting, the format is easy to follow and is very well-written. This is not the usual sports book, full of “fun facts” but with little substance. The bios and descriptions lend themselves to detailed research and, as hardcover volumes, will provide many generations with excellent historical information on the Jewish contribution to our country’s national pastime.