Jews and Baseball

“Jews and Baseball” is a documentary directed by Peter Miller, written by Ira Berkow and narrated by Dustin Hoffman. Although appearing to be the story of one minority in a truly American pastime, it is really the story of all minorities and how each strived to achieve a place in their new and adopted homeland. Tracing the evolution of Jews into Baseball, from the very early days when semitic sounding names were changed to protect the anonymity of the player’s ethnic background, the film shares the breakthrough episodes of the great Hank Greenberg to the awesome period encountered by Jackie Robinson and recognizes in each that patience, tolerance and an unrealistic ability to slough off the slanders and abuses in deference to, and so as not to jeopardize, the greater cause. On film interviews with the great Mr. Greenberg, his family, Al Rosen, Sandy Koufax (in a rare media appearance), Larry King, Bud Selig (the Commissioner of Baseball) and others help the viewer to understand that playing major league ball is hard enough without the added pressure that bigots have a way of exerting. This is as much a history of baseball in general as it is a story about one minority and I recommend it without reservation. I give the documentary 3 stars. On a personal note, as a young Jewish boy growing up in Brooklyn, meeting a Jewish ball player was an awesome experience and confirms how important it is that minority youngsters get a chance to see their ethnic brothers and sisters in high profile roles for the message it gives is clear and powerful …”it can be done”. Perhaps the most meaningful comment in the film is that today the religion of the player is almost unnoticed and never spoken about….and isn’t that the way it should be?