Jewish Sports Buzz

Baseball Hall of Fame Recognition

Ian Kinsler has made history as the first Jewish baseball player to receive votes in a decade. The retired second baseman earned 10 votes in the Baseball Hall of Fame's 2025 ballot, though he fell short of the threshold to remain eligible.

While Kinsler's time on the ballot has come to an end, his career achievements remain remarkable. With 54.1 WAR, he ranks among the top 20 second basemen of all time, ahead of several Hall of Famers.

International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Inductees

The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in Israel recently announced its 2025 class, honoring a diverse group of 14 athletes and media personalities. Among the inductees are NBA star Amar'e Stoudemire, legendary broadcaster Andrés Cantor, and Olympians from around the globe.

Tottenham Hotspur's Outpouring of Support

British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari expressed her deep gratitude to Tottenham Hotspur fans for their unwavering support during her captivity. The club's supporters displayed yellow ribbons and chanted "She's one of our own" at matches, providing solace to her family and the Jewish community.

Chicago Bears Embrace Yiddish

In a unique twist, the Chicago Bears used the Yiddish term "bashert" to describe their new head coach, Ben Johnson. This heartwarming choice reflects the team's deep ties to the city's Jewish heritage.

Jewish Athletes in the Spotlight

This weekend, several Jewish athletes will take to the playing fields.

• Anthony Firkser (Kansas City Chiefs) in the AFC Championship Game
• Zach Hyman, Jason Zucker, and Devon Levi (NHL)
• Quinn Hughes, Max Sasson, Mark Friedman, Jakob Chychrun, Adam Fox (NHL)
• Deni Avdija, Domantas Sabonis, Amari Bailey (NBA)
• Matt Turner (Premier League)
• Max Greyserman, David Lipsky, Ben Silverman, Daniel Berger (PGA Tour)

Feel-Good Moment: A Basketball Dream Come True

Castelli Laflotte, a former basketball coach, made headlines by sinking a half-court shot at a Knicks game. The moment, shared with Jewish actor Ben Stiller, brought joy to fans and highlighted Laflotte's journey from the Marlene Meyerson JCC to viral stardom.