Jewish Athletes

Down in Texas, the Rangers have an All-Star second baseman who has added flavor and flair to the 2010 season, helping propel his team to the World Series for the first time in its history. And with a name like Ian Kinsler, he might just be …
Well, there’s no Star of David-shaped asterisk next to Kinsler’s name in the media guide or program. On the field he wears a cap, not a kipa.
So how can you know for sure?
Ask Shel Wallman and Ephraim Moxson, co-publishers of The Jewish Sports Review, a bimonthly publication that has made it its business to research and name the Jewish players.
Their verdict: Kinsler qualifies as an heir to Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax.
“Ian came up to the big leagues in 2006,” Wallman says. “Early in the season his uncle contacted Martin Abramowitz, who puts out the Jewish Major Leaguers baseball cards. Martin called me and I called the uncle, who then contacted his brother, Ian’s dad.”
Wallman discovered that Kinsler, whose father is Jewish, had “had no objections” about being included in the magazine. Learn more.