People & Baseball, continued, from NYT.
From tomorrow’s NYTimes. They left out that Maddox, is an African-American convert to Judaism. When I asked him about it two summers ago at the Cooperstown Jewish Players event of JewishMajorLeaguers.org, he said that his interest in Judaism started in college and he was very interested in exploring it when he was on the Texas Rangers, but didn’t feel comfortable in Texas. Once he joined the Yankees in NYC, he was able to complete his studies and process.
Somehow having baseball bring together Maddox and others with Israeli kids is another sign of globalization and peoplehood.
Former Major Leaguers in Israel
An Israeli professional baseball league remains a dream, but Israeli youngsters took a big step last week, thanks in part to two former major league players. The Israeli team won the bronze medal at the European championships in the Czech Republic, its best finish in the tournament.
The youngsters, ages 10 to 12, received instruction earlier this month by Elliott Maddox and Bob Tufts, who spent a couple of weeks in Israel at the request of the Israel Baseball League.
“I’ve always wanted to come to Israel, but I’ve never had the opportunity,� Tufts, a former pitcher, said during a clinic that attracted a surprisingly large group of about 60 children in Bet Shemesh, Israel.
“I was in Cooperstown, and Ambassador Kurtzer said, ‘We want people to go to Israel and be involved in the baseball program,’ � Tufts said, referring to Daniel Kurtzer, a former United States ambassador to Israel. “I looked around, didn’t say any other players and I said, ‘Ambassador, I’m ready to go.’ �
Maddox, who in 1974 replaced Bobby Murcer as the Yankees’ center fielder, said he initially raised the possibility of coaching children in Israel two years ago and was prepared to return to spend more time working with them. He said his first experience on the international front was establishing a youth league in Poland in 1989.
His assistance in Israel had a practical effect beyond instructing the young players.
“The coach was going over signs with the kids, and the kids had to answer something back to show they got the sign,� Maddox said. “I told the coach he was helping the other team because they’ll know a play is on.�
Maddox suggested that since no other team spoke their language, the coach and players could shout out the signs and answers in Hebrew.
“You mean just yell out to them?� the coach said.
“Yeah,� Maddox said. “Who is going to know what you’re saying?�
Permalink| Email this post | Print | | BlogPulse
RSS Feed
BlogCrafter