Jews and Baseball

Baseball historically has provided a way for Jews to acculturate into American life. As well as being avid fans, they have played professional baseball since the origins of the sport, though there was a tendency to Anglicize their names. The film revolves around two of the game's greatest players: slugger Hank Greenberg (1930s–40s), who almost broke Babe Ruth's single-season home run record, and the completely dominating and masterly pitcher Sandy Koufax (1950s–60s). Surely the highlight here for some viewers will be the smoothly presented and edited interview with the notoriously reticent Koufax. Lesser-known players are mentioned, too, and the narrative sweep even includes Jewish ballplayers of the present day, such as former Met Shawn Green and the Red Sox Kevin Youkilis. Some may find fault with the lack of emphasis on how Jews were part of every aspect of the game, from journalism to selling hot dogs. Their wider involvement is touched upon, however (e.g., in the discussion of the origins of the song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," a Jewish-Episcopalian collaboration). This engaging and well-paced overview of Jewish participation in baseball is loaded with action clips. Baseball experts provide historical insight, while rabbinic figures address Jews and American culture. Ably narrated by Dustin Hoffman, this film is a visual delight; a winner that baseball fans especially will enjoy.—Paul Kaplan, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., IL