M an i sch e witz
Designated
Injuries hampered Ron Blomberg's career,
but he in the record book.
DAVID HERZ
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of my life."
Blomberg met his own Jewish baseball
Special to the Jewish News
hero, Sandy Koufax — considered by
some fans to be the greatest left-handed
on Blomberg learned quickly
pitcher in baseball history — only once,
what it meant to be a promis-
but it was a memorable experience.
ing Jewish star in New York.
"It was an Old-Timers Day at Yankee
After they made Blomberg the first
Stadium
and Sandy was there,"
pick in the 1967 baseball amateur draft,
Blomberg recalled. "I went up and
the Yankees brought him to New York
introduced myself and Sandy said he
for a press conference before sending
knew who I was and he had followed
him to their minor league team in
my career because I was Jewish and
Johnson City, Tenn.
there weren't too many of us.
When Blomberg arrived
"He told me to always wear
in Johnson City three days
my
mezzuah around my neck
later, there was a large bag
with
respect, and that's what I
waiting for him. "I thought
did."
it was shirts and that kind
Injuries prevented Blomberg
of stuff;" Blomberg recalled.
from fulfilling his career.
"But when I opened it up it
He underwent four knee and
was filled with letters —
two
shoulder operations. In
there must have been 1,500.
eight
big league seasons, he
They all wanted autographs
berg
Ron
Blom
appeared
in only 461 games.
and were wishing me mazel
His
best
season
was in 1973,
toy. From that day on it never
when he batted .329 with 12 homers
stopped."
and 57 runs batted in.
Blomberg, now 56, received letters
However, his legacy in baseball will
from mothers telling them about their
live on. That's because on April 6,
daughters. He was invited to countless
1973, Blomberg became the first player
bar mitzvahs and every synagogue and
ever
to bat as a designated hitter in the
Jewish community center in the New
majors.
York area claimed him as a member.
"I screwed up the game." Blomberg
"The Jewish community of New York
jokes. "One at-bat changed the game
took me into their family," Blomberg
forever."
said. "Getting to New York when I was
Blomberg drew a bases-loaded walk
18 was a very scary situation but they
from Boston's Luis Tiant in that first
took care of me, they made sure I was
plate appearance. He didn't think much
really welcome. I was able to share my
of theat-bat at the moment because he
success with the Jewish people of New
didn't think the rule would last.
York. Being a Jewish ballplayer in New
After the game, reporters swarmed
York was the ultimate of ultimates."
Blomberg graduated from Druid Hills him in the clubhouse and the Yankees
High School in Atlanta in 1967. He was shipped his bat and jersey to the Hall of
chosen as a Parade All-American in foot- Fame.
"I never thought [the designated hitter
ball, basketball and baseball.
rule]
would still be in existence today,"
"When I was growing up most of the
Blomberg
said. "I thought it was a big
Jewish kids were going to medical
joke,
a
flash
in the pan."
school or law school or into their fami-
On the line-up card, the designated
ly's business," Blomberg said, "but my
hitter position was listed as DH.
parents were behind me 120 percent.
Legendary sports writer Dick Schapp,
Baseball was something I wanted to do
another Jew, asked Blomberg what DH
and my parents let me do it."
stood for and Blomberg answered, "des-
Playing in front of large throngs of
ignated Hebrew." Blomberg is writing a
Jewish fans was new to Blomberg.
book that will come out next year under
"People would bring me bagels and
that title.
make these signs about 'the Jewish hero.
Today, Blomberg works fantasy camps
There were people in yarmulkes and the
and as a scout for the Yankees. He also
Chasidic Jews, they were coming out to
conducts hitting clinics and does a great
see me, too. Back down South, I never
deal of charity work ❑
saw any of that. It was the greatest time
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57