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Team Israel
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28

March 23 • 2017

jn

im Malkovich is a self-proclaimed like Ryan Braun, Jason Kipnis, Joc
baseball geek.
Pederson and Kevin Pillar weren’t on
So it’s no surprise the
the Team Israel roster.
Farmington Hills resident enjoyed
But among Team Israel’s WBC vic-
Team Israel’s improbable
tims were No. 3-ranked South
ABOVE:
run this month in the World
Korea and No. 4-ranked
Jim Malkovich
Baseball Classic (WBC) that
Taiwan.
and his daughter
ended just one victory away
Malkovich, who will coach
Lyndsey at the JCC
from making the semifinals
Maccabi Games in the Detroit 16U baseball
of the 16-team tournament.
Detroit in 2014. Jim team this summer at the JCC
Team Israel came into the
Maccabi Games in Miami,
was the Maccabi
Games softball
WBC ranked No. 41 in the
Fla., and is coach of the 15U
commissioner.
world and given 200-to-1
North Farmington West
odds to win the tournament.
Bloomfield Cobras travel
It was the last team to quali-
baseball team, watched some
fy for the competition, beating Britain
of Team Israel’s early-morning games
last September in a play-in game in
live on television and saw others later
Brooklyn, N.Y.
on tape delay.
The best Jewish player in the WBC
“I was impressed with how well
didn’t play for Team Israel. Detroit
Team Israel played and how it over-
Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler
achieved,” he said.
played for Team USA.
“You could tell the guys on Team
Other big-name Jewish players
Israel had bonded. Winning helps, of
course, but I’m sure the pride they had
being Jewish and representing Israel
DOUBLES NO TROUBLE
had a lot to do their success, too.”
Here are the top four finishers in the
Led by 73-year-old manager Jerry
Metropolitan Detroit B’nai B’rith Bowling
Weinstein,
Team Israel went 4-2 in its
Association’s 16th annual David Rose
first
appearance
in the WBC.
Windsor Doubles Tournament.
Team
Israel’s
roster
was made up
Thirty-seven bowlers from the
nearly entirely of Jewish-American
Brotherhood-Eddie Jacobson and Downtown
players with major or minor league
Fox leagues participated in the Feb. 18 tour-
experience.
nament. There were 37 teams. Multiple pair-
Only two players had Israeli pass-
ings were allowed. Scores include handicap.
ports. Only one player was born in
1. Bob Smith-Bob Weiss (1490), won $400.
Israel. Several players never set foot
2. Howie Gerenraich-Keith Kingston (1469),
in Israel until earlier this year when a
won $300.
Birthright trip was arranged.
3. Howard Waxer-Gerenraich (1444),
So how could the Americans play
won $200.
for Israel?
4. David Kolb-Weiss (1438), won $100.
The WBC’s “heritage rule” allows
Gerenraich rolled 298 in his last game.
players eligible for a country’s citizen-
ship to play for that team. That’s how
Here are some excellent scores rolled
players with familiar names like Jason
March 6 in the Brotherhood-Eddie Jacobson
Marquis, Ike Davis and Sam Fuld
League.
made their way onto the Team Israel
• Gary Klinger, 245-278-238 — 761
roster.
• Matt Rappaport, 226-217-224 — 697
Malkovich hopes the success of
• Mort Friedman, 211-226-234 — 671
Team Israel will encourage more
• Other top series: Hassan Fatouhi, 688;
Jewish youths in the Detroit area to
Barry Fishman, 668; Dave Shanbaum, 663;
become involved in baseball.
Harold Grossbart, 660; Kevin Elbinger, 657;
He also hopes the publicity will
Harris Gurfinkel and Corey Slutsky, 653;
spark interest in baseball in Israel,
Mike Leiberman, 650.
where the sport isn’t a big deal. •
• Other top games: Ethan Zavier, 278 (career
Send tips to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.
high); Gurfinkel, 259.

