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by Yossi Goldstein & Yochonon Goldman

The flowers are blooming; the birds chirping; and the sun is shining. Yup, springtime is once again upon us!

After Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow on Groundhog Day, we’ve ushered in the thawing-out season, delightedly, a little early.

Jews in Sports: Smells Like Spring Training

by Yossi Goldstein & Yochonon Goldman

The flowers are blooming; the birds chirping; and the sun is shining. Yup, springtime is once again upon us!

After Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow on Groundhog Day, we’ve ushered in the thawing-out season, delightedly, a little early.

Basking in the glory of the sun’s rays, there’s yet another season’s greeting to behold: Major League Baseball’s Spring Training. A new season ushers in a new beginning; one where each team starts with as equal a record as their fellow competitors.

As the baseball epoch commences, allow us to revisit the hardball off-season and recap the goings-on with two of our Jewish bat-swinging brethren.

Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox:

Sorry Yankees fans, but “The Youka” remains one of the more solid first-basemen in the big leagues, costing less than half of what New York Yankees Mark Teixeira commands in the Bronx fielding the same position.

In 2010, the Greek-sounding Youkilis – who’s ancestral name is Weiner – hit for a .307 batting average; 19 home runs and 62 runs batted in, to go along with a .411 on base percentage and a .564 slugging percentage; slick stats for a player who missed 60 games due to injury.

This season, however, brings forth a new challenge to our burly bearded brother: he will be the new starting third baseman in Beantown.

It will be interesting to see how he handles the “hot-corner” duties.

Youkilis is no greenhorn at the left-corner position having played there in the past. But this is different. He has never done so in the full-time capacity and the rigors of third base brings with it more pressure than first base(just ask retired Cincinnati Reds and baseball’s All-Time career hits leader, Pete Rose, who played over 500 games at both positions – he was awful during his first stint at third).

The transition will likely also take a bigger toll on Youkilis’ body then first base did. And as such, the Red Sox must hope he’s fully healthy and ready to go as the injury bug bit the team hard and often last season.

Ike Davis, New York Mets:

The Queens by-way-of-Minnesota native comes from strong baseball stock. His father, Ron, pitched in the big leagues for 11 seasons, including an All-Star appearance when he and Hall of Famer Goose Gossage were the relief men for the New York Yankees.

Ike was a first-round draft choice of the Mets in 2008 and didn’t wait long to be called up to The Show. In April 2010, with just 677 minor league at-bats under his belt, the junior Davis made his big league debut against Chicago with two hits in his first four chances.

One of the Mets’ most promising young sluggers, Davis made an instant impact in the majors, hitting 19 home runs, while driving in 71 base-runners and elevating himself to his club’s cleanup spot within his first 30 games.

In his first full campaign, Davis either set or tied three of the franchise’s rookie records and was named the first baseman on Baseball America’s 2010 All-Rookie Team.

Davis picked up his pace after the All-Star break, registering a .270 batting average, a .366 on-base percentage and a .444 slugging percentage in the 72 games after the recess.

He will be only 24 years-old on Opening Day, meaning plenty of better years ahead.

If you’re worried about opposing pitchers testing him with breaking pitches in his sophomore year, consider this: He saw the fourth-most curveballs of anyone in baseball (just under 13 percent of all pitches) and seventh-fewest fastballs (a hair under 51 percent).

Pitchers were already testing him last season, and he proved up to task. Growth in 2011 is more likely than regression for the Edina, Minnesota kid.

In the spirit of Purim let’s all say L’chaim to a new – and warmer – season; one that, perhaps, brings the hometown kid a championship.

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13 Comments

  • Yitzi C.

    Youka has played 3b many times in the past its not the first time this year.

  • In The Know

    This time will be the first time he plays third knowing its full-time (in the past he didn’t only play third base, but other infield positions too)

  • Jewish Athletes.

    Jews in sports… There’s not much to talk about, but if your talking management agents and ownership I’d assume it looks much more Jewish there.

  • SOX

    Yitzi C.
    it is stated in the article that its not the first time he has played there but it WILL be the first time it will be his starting and full time job.

  • Yaakov Richman unafraid

    Ryan Braun…Scott Schoeneweis…Brad Ausmus..Ian Kinsler…Jason Marquis

  • Yankee fan in Boston

    to # 1,2 and 5

    He actually played 3d FULL TIME in the minors.

    Always, its “Youk” not Youka -:)

  • Yochonon

    guys dont worry this was just the first of as many players that are currently in the majors that we will be trying to give a little piece on during the season (g-d willing maybe even some interviews!!). so stay tuned :)