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.

