The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/major-league-baseball/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Sun, 14 Jun 2026 05:18:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Major League Baseball | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/major-league-baseball/ 32 32 Defying expectations, Israel exits World Baseball Classic by clinching spot in 2030 https://www.timesofisrael.com/defying-expectations-israel-exits-world-baseball-classic-by-clinching-spot-in-2030/ Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:02:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3775903 Squad goes 2-2, guarantees place in next tourney despite being ranked 19th out of 20 teams, fueling hopes for future among small, enthusiastic fanbase and roster of mostly US Jews

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]]> Novelty no more, Team Israel goes to bat for local game with return to World Baseball Classic https://www.timesofisrael.com/novelty-no-more-team-israel-goes-to-bat-for-local-game-with-return-to-world-baseball-classic/ Fri, 06 Mar 2026 01:22:35 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3766273 Built mainly around American Jewish players, the team returning to the global tourney this week has become a symbol of Jewish identity and a driver for the sport's growth at home

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]]> Israel’s World Baseball Classic team to be headlined by Harrison Bader, Dean Kremer https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-world-baseball-classic-team-to-be-headlined-by-harrison-bader-dean-kremer/ Sat, 07 Feb 2026 12:09:29 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3749820 Twenty nations submit 30-man rosters for 6th edition of international tournament; putting Team Israel together is 'always a rollercoaster ride,' says general manager

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]]> Alex Bregman, who drew Jewish star on his cap after Oct. 7, inks $175M deal with Cubs https://www.timesofisrael.com/alex-bregman-who-drew-jewish-star-on-his-cap-after-oct-7-inks-175m-deal-with-cubs/ Sat, 17 Jan 2026 04:34:56 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3735804 Contract is the second-largest ever for a Jewish baseball player; his father has described his major league career as 'the fulfillment of four generations of short Jewish Bregmans'

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]]> In first for Israel, Kibbutz Gezer’s Alon Leichman named pitching coach for MLB team https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-for-israel-kibbutz-gezers-alon-leichman-named-pitching-coach-for-mlb-team/ Thu, 11 Dec 2025 17:29:08 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3709887 Leichman, who has worn the number of his kibbutz laundry tag and highlighted his Israeli identity, has been appointed by the Colorado Rockies

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]]> Gabe Kapler promoted to general manager of MLB’s Miami Marlins https://www.timesofisrael.com/gabe-kapler-promoted-to-general-manager-of-mlbs-miami-marlins/ Tue, 04 Nov 2025 09:27:20 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3680720 Jewish baseball exec previously played and coached for Team Israel, has Magen David and 'Never Again' tattoos on his legs

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]]> NY Yankees knowingly picked player who once drew a swastika on Jewish classmate’s door https://www.timesofisrael.com/yankees-knowingly-picked-player-who-once-drew-a-swastika-on-jewish-classmates-door/ Thu, 21 Aug 2025 04:48:30 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3624860 Core Jackson says he was drunk during incident at age 17, says, he's grown up and 'I don’t want there to be any excuses for my actions'

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]]> Baseball fans can now add little-known Monte Pfeiffer to roster of Jewish players https://www.timesofisrael.com/baseball-fans-can-now-add-little-known-monte-pfeiffer-to-roster-of-jewish-players/ Fri, 15 Aug 2025 17:00:13 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3620902 A sharp-eyed enthusiast adds new discovery rooted in dusty box scores, old news articles and genealogical detective work - a chosen athlete who played one game for Philadelphia in 1913

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]]> Jewish slugger Bregman signs $120 million deal with Red Sox https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-slugger-bregman-signs-120-million-deal-with-red-sox/ Thu, 13 Feb 2025 16:45:11 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3481868 Contract marks highest-ever annual salary for a Jewish MLB player as 3rd baseman -- who sported Star of David on hat after Oct. 7 attack -- leaves Astros for Boston

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]]> Sotheby’s auctions world’s biggest Jewish baseball card collection https://www.timesofisrael.com/sothebys-auctions-worlds-biggest-jewish-baseball-card-collection/ Fri, 17 Jan 2025 15:40:22 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3461691 Set of over 500 cards representing 191 Jewish players expected to fetch $500,000 to $700,000

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]]> Pirates welcome Jewish player Spencer Horwitz to the team https://www.timesofisrael.com/pirates-welcome-jewish-player-spencer-horwitz-to-the-team/ Thu, 09 Jan 2025 23:32:42 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3451493 Acquired in a December trade with Toronto, the first baseman is an underdog Jewish fans can get behind - a late draftee who proved himself as he slugged his way up into the majors

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]]> Jewish pitcher Max Fried signs record-breaking deal with NY Yankees https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-pitching-star-max-fried-signs-record-breaking-deal-with-ny-yankees/ Wed, 11 Dec 2024 03:46:08 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3437197 All-Star's 8-year, $218 million deal with New York baseball team marks the largest-ever contract for both a Jewish player and a left-handed pitcher

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]]> Meet the 6 Jewish baseball players selected in the 2024 MLB Draft https://www.timesofisrael.com/meet-the-6-jewish-baseball-players-selected-in-the-2024-mlb-draft/ Sun, 21 Jul 2024 23:06:11 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3334460 Up one draftee from last year's 5, this crop of ballplayers still represents less than 1% of the new MLB class - but they are making an outsized impression

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]]> How Orthodox minor-league pitcher Jacob Steinmetz is staying on top of his Judaism game https://www.timesofisrael.com/how-orthodox-minor-league-pitcher-jacob-steinmetz-is-staying-on-top-of-his-judaism-game/ Sun, 07 Jul 2024 22:30:20 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3324892 Walking to practice on Shabbat and fueling up on kosher delivery meals are just some of the ways the baseball player fields religion while staying focused on baseball

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]]> MLB star, others to be inducted into Jewish Sports Hall of Fame https://www.timesofisrael.com/mlb-star-others-to-be-inducted-into-jewish-sports-hall-of-fame/ Sat, 18 Nov 2023 14:28:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3154077 2024 induction class includes former baseball player Ryan Braun and NFL's Mitchell Schwartz; Israeli tennis players Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram also make the list

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