Now At Bat from page 59 "In a way, it's a reflection of our 54 home runs, 260 RBIs and 32 sto- society," said Marty Appel, the cards' len bases were in keeping with the 1 publicist. More and more kids are percent of all players (slightly high- coming from intermarried families, er). The four pitchers had a combined he said, giving rise to a growing num- 3.60 ERA (all players were at 3.87) ber of kids playing sports who may while compiling a 26-20 record. This be identifying as Jewish. "attests to modestly superior perfor- But even the creator of the cards mance by the Class of 2013," reports wonders the same thing. "Your guess the card back. is as good as mine," said When the original Abramowitz. "I suspect it edition of Jewish Major has something to do with Leaguer Baseball Cards was the fact that this is an researched and released in extremely lucrative sport:' 2001, there were approxi- in contrast to the way it mately 160 Jewish players used to be. in history, out of some "When I was a kid, play- 17,000 total. And those 160 ers like Phil Rizzuto and players slightly out-per- Roy Campanella worked formed the total field in just in clothing or liquor stores about every key category during the off-season," he except stolen bases. said. Hank Greenberg remains Jew ish 'Also, college is now the the career Jewish leader in Ma jor Leag uers major recruitment source average (.313), home runs for Major League Baseball, (331) and RBIs (1,276), and our guys are more likely with Shawn Green fall- to go to college ing just three home runs Appel noted that this behind him. Ryan Braun year's Opening Day rosters has a career average of in Major League Baseball .312. The stat cards in this find nine Jewish players and year's edition show Buddy one manager listed. The Myer as the leader in hits. year's players include Ryan Among pitchers, Ken Braun (Milwaukee), Craig Holtzman has the most Breslow (Boston), Ike Davis wins (174 to Sandy (New York Mets), Scott Koufax's 165), Barney Pelty Feldman (Houston), Sam the lowest ERA (2.62 to Fuld (Oakland), Ian Kinsler Koufax's 2.76), Koufax the (Detroit), Josh Satin (New most strikeouts (2,396) and York Mets), Danny Valencia (Kansas Scott Schoeneweis the most appear- City) and Ryan Kalish (Chicago ances (562). Cubs), with, of course, Brad Ausmus Abramowitz predicted that the big- managing the Detroit Tigers. All are gest buyers of the cards won't be kids included in this year's 50-card set. but rather adults who still have a keen interest in the game and memories of The 14 Jewish players active in the Major Leagues in 2013 includ- Jewish stars from long ago. ed Braun, Breslow, Davis, Feldman, "The cards have always appealed Nate Freiman, Fuld, Kinsler, essentially to older adults more than Lavarnway, Jason Marquis, Kevin to kids," he said as he reflected on the Pillar, Satin, Valencia, Youkilis and evolution of the connection between Zeid. As pointed out on card No. 50 of Jews and baseball. the newly issued set, the Jewish play- "You know, it used to be that base- ers of 2013 represented about 1 per- ball was the way for Jews to become American," Abramowitz said. "In cent of Major League Baseball's 1,355 players for the season. more recent years, however — and The 10 position players hit a com- this is a paradox — I think it's bined .258, slightly above the MLB become a way for American Jews to average of .253, and their combined be more Jewish:' BY JON RO A holiday reunion provides the oxygen for this play set in the desert home of actor and former Ambassador Lyman and his wife Polly Wyeth in Palm Springs, CA. As a special treat, their daughter Brooke comes home bearing her manuscript of a memoir about things her parents want to forget; a true case of emotional blackmail. Playwright Baitz looks deeper and more clearly into Mom and Dad than he ever has before. Co - produced with Performance Network Theatre BUY TICKETS! JET is a professional, Actors Equity Association theatre that performs in the Aaron DeRoy Theatre in the JCC - Located on the corner of Maple & Drake Roads in West Bloomfield 248.788.2900 www.JetTheatre.org MASCO l'SHUBERT FOUNDATION. Buy $100 worth of gift cards and get a $20.00 Complimentary gift card for yourself!!! 1/2 Off Wine Wednesday Kids Eat Free Monday tI Restaurant Italian Cuisine 248.476.0044 ' Buy o lunch or dinner entree 15% of and get the second 1/2 off total food bill Of equal or lesser value Not good with any other coupons. Not good on holidays. One coupon per couple. Up to $30 Expires 5/09/14 Not good with any other coupon. I Not good on holidays. One coupon per couple. Up to $30 Expires 5/09/14 Farmington Hills • Corner of Grand River & Haggerty Road Auburn Hills • 1 Iiz miles south of the Palace of Auburn Hills 1898320 10% OFF ❑ The 2014 edition of Jewish Major Leaguer Baseball Cards are $36 for one set plus $5 shipping, available by credit card via Paypal at Jewishmajorleaguers.com , or by check sent to JML Inc.,104 Greenlawn Avenue, Newton, MA 02459. Two sets are $50 (plus $5 shipping), three sets $75 plus $5, four sets $92 plus $8, five sets $115 plus $10, and six sets $140 plus $10. Larger orders for gift shops and retail outlets should write to martinabramowitz@ gmail.com for information. Visit www.Jewishmajorleaguers.org for additional information. AITZ Directed by David Wolber TOTAL BILL Excludes tax, tip and beverages. With this ad. Banquet Services not included. Dine in or Carry out. Expires 5/08/14 /le Brass Pointe (ff./ 24234 Orchard Lake Rd., N.E. corner of 10 Mile • 476-1377 Open 7 Days a week for lunch & dinner April 24 • 2014 63