Jews in Baseball, or Why Sandy and Hank Wouldn't Play

How did the baseball diamond become a stage for the Jewish-American dream? From the enigmatic spy-catcher Moe Berg to the powerhouse swing of Hank Greenberg and the legendary left arm of Sandy Koufax, baseball has always been a mirror of the Jewish experience in America. We trace the arc of the National Pastime from the 19th-century pioneers facing pressures of assimilation to the record-breaking 16 Jewish players on today's Major League Baseball (MLB) rosters. Join us for a deep dive into the icons who defined eras and the "hidden" players who built a lasting cultural legacy on the sandlots and in the stadiums.

Who this is for 

• Baseball fans and sports enthusiasts looking for the stories behind the stats.
• Students of American history interested in the intersection of sports, ethnic identity, and social change.
• Anyone curious about how immigrant communities used the "Great American Game" to navigate identity and belonging.
• No prior knowledge of baseball statistics is required—just an interest in a great story.

What you'll leave with

• A deeper understanding of the cultural legacy of Jewish ballplayers from the 1860s to the present day.
• Insights into the lives of "hidden" figures like Moe Berg and their contributions beyond the field.
• A fresh perspective on how the baseball diamond has served as a unique stage for the Jewish-American story over the last 160 years.