APRIL 21 • 2022 | 11
or more home runs. We can’t
expect those numbers this
year but should next season.
I expect that one of them will
be the American League’s
Rookie of the Year.
Greene, a lefthanded
batting outfielder, and
Torkelson, who played third
base before being moved to
first base, will replace Miguel
Cabrera, who will mainly be
a designated hitter.
Last season, the Tigers had
three players who totaled 67
home runs. Eric Haase and
Jonathan Schoop, had 22
each while Robbie Grossman
hit 23. This season it’s a good
bet the three new Tigers
could hit more than 67 hom-
ers.
The Tigers also shored up
pitching and catching. These
moves could push the Tigers
into the post-season playoffs.
While the playoffs aren’t a
sure thing this season, Tigers
fans could expect that for the
next several seasons. Greene
and Torkelson just need
some major league experi-
ence. There are a couple of
good free agents available,
and if the Tigers feel the
team is close to contention,
management will dust off
the checkbook and lure one
or two with the knowledge
that in 2023, Detroit will be
one of the best teams in the
major leagues.
Happy days are here again
for Tigers fans, and those
who sit in the outfield will be
rewarded with many more
home run souvenir baseballs
via Tigers players.
Author, national columnist and public
speaker Irwin J. Cohen headed a
national baseball publication for
five years and interviewed many
legends of the game including Hank
Greenberg. After accepting a front
office position with the Detroit Tigers
where he earned a World Series
ring, Cohen went on to write 10
books including the iconic, “Echoes
of Detroit’s Jewish Communities: A
History.” He may be reached in his
dugout at irdav@sbcglobal.net.
a terrorist, but rather a patient
who had escaped from an
institution for the mentally ill,
his death wasn’t the result of
some frivolous error.
In the first place, he was
wearing pants resembling
military fatigues and wav-
ing what later turned out
to be a toy pistol. Secondly,
he assaulted a female IDF
soldier at a bus stop and
grabbed her rifle, spurring
witnesses on the scene to
shout, “Terrorist! Terrorist!”
At this moment,
IDF Binyamin Brigade
Commander Col. Eliav
Elbaz happened by and
called out in Arabic to the
perpetrator to put down the
weapon. It was only after
the man ignored the com-
mand and kept running that
Elbaz shot him dead.
Even if the above IDF
actions hadn’t been taken
under the current circum-
stances, with a Ramadan-
spurred terror wave that
claimed the lives of 14
innocents in the space of
less than three weeks, they
would have been completely
justified. Contrary to the
aspersions cast by exter-
nal or internal ill-wishers,
Israelis are far from trig-
ger-happy.
Indeed, it’s the jihadists
who should be feared, not
the men and women in uni-
form — or jeans — defend-
ing against them.
Ruthie Blum is an Israel-based
journalist and author.
DETROIT TIGERS continued from page 9
JEWISH NEWS
THE DETROIT
The Detroit Jewish News
Educator of the Year
Teachers are often the unsung
heroes who inspire our children to
greater heights and whose lessons
often last a lifetime.
The Jewish News wants to honor
the best-of-the-best teachers in
our community — in elementary,
middle and high school.
To nominate a Jewish teacher or a teacher at
one of Metro Detroit’s Jewish day schools,
send an email to
jheadapohl@thejewishnews.com
with “Best Teachers” in the subject line.
Include the teacher’s name, school, grade/
subject and why you think they deserve to be
recognized.
Then look for our “Educators of the Year” in
the May 19, Cap & Gown issue.