American Jews and Baseball discusses the history of Jewish immigration to America in the late 19th/early 20th century, and how baseball became an important part of Jewish American culture during this time period. It profiles three famous Jewish baseball players - Hank Greenberg, Sandy Koufax, and Al Rosen - who faced anti-Semitism but also served as role models for the Jewish community in the 1920s-1960s.

1. American Jews and
Baseball
By Tage Olsin - Own work, CC BY-
SA 2.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/i
ndex.php?curid=176153

2. Jews in America
◦ From 1880-1924, more than two million Jews from various parts of
Eastern Europe immigrated to the United States.
◦ Settled in major cities; Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago.
◦ Other Americans were concerned with the number of immigrants
coming in to the country at this time.

3. Why Baseball?
◦ For the first 30 years of the 20th century, Jews were more interested with
boxing.
◦ African American Jews played in the “Negro Leagues” in the 1920s.
◦ Baseball was known as ”America’s sport”, quickly picked up by many
immigrants, including Jews.

4. FAMOUS JEWS IN BASEBALL

5. Henry “Hank” Greenberg
◦ The first acclaimed Jewish American professional athlete.
◦ Played from 1930-1947, first for the Detroit Tigers and then the
Pittsburg Pirates.
◦ Role model within the Jewish Community.
◦ However, he faced backlash at numerous points in his life,
especially when he played on sacred religious holidays.

6. Hank
Greenberg
1937, Detroit Tigers

7. Sandy Koufax
◦ Played from 1955 to 1966 for the Brooklynn/Los Angeles Dodgers
◦ Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame
◦ Famously known for his decision to not pitch in the 1965 World Series
because it fell on Yom Kippur

8. Sandy Koufax
1965, LA Dodgers

9. Al Rosen
◦ Served for four years in WWII, delayed his baseball career.
◦ Played from 1947-1956 for Cleveland Indians.
◦ Experienced a lot of anti-Semitism during his career. Other team
members insulted him during games.

10. Al Rosen
Cleveland Indians, 1953