Judaism has a lot of interesting connections to baseball. Jewish people have been involved in many aspects of major
league baseball since its founding. Players like Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax put their religion front
and center by refusing to play games on Yom Kippur. Jewish people have been coaches, agents, players, commentators,
and of course, fans. Some believe that baseball played a major role in giving visibility to Jewish people and
countering antisemitism in the early part of the 20th century.
If you have baseball fans in the house, check out one of these stories:
Written by T.S. Yavin and published by Lerner Publishing Group
Batter Up! Reuven and Avi, pitcher and catcher, may share the same mom and dad, but only one of them will make
it to the All-Star Game... Who will it be?
Written by Sarah Kapit and published by Penguin Random House
Vivian Jane Cohen’s favorite baseball player is VJ Capello, and not just because the share the same
initials. VJ is a knuckleballer, which is exactly what Vivy wants to be! But girls don’t play baseball,
especially not autistic girls. Can Vivy prove to her family — and herself — that
she has what it takes to get in the game?
Written by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Alette Straathof, and published by Apples and Honey
Press
Hank Greenberg is living his dream playing first base for the Detroit Tigers, even if some people aren’t
happy to see a Jew on the field. When Yom Kippur falls on the same day as a big game, Hank makes the
difficult decision to stand up for himself and what he believes in.
Written by Larry Needle and published by PJ Publishing
This is the true story of Louis “Red” Klotz, who fell in love with basketball as a boy in 1930s
Philadelphia, went on to play for a professional all-Jewish team, and eventually toured the world as
player-manager of the Washington Generals, the team that always played against, and nearly always lost to, the
Harlem Globetrotters.
Written by Rich Michelson, illustrated by Zachary Pullen, and published by Cherry Lake/Sleeping Bear Press
As a child, Lipman Pike helps out in his family’s dry-goods store in Brooklyn, but what he really loves
is baseball, a new ballgame that everyone’s talking about -- and he’s good at it, too. In a few
years, Lip’s offered a job playing baseball profesionally! His parents think it’s crazy -- but Lip
knows this is the life for him.
Written by Miriam Rinn and published by Alef Design Group
Jason's the best pitcher on his Little League team, but he's got a secret that might ruin his entire season.
Can he keep his stepfather from finding out?
Written and illustrated by Jonah Winter, published by Penguin Random House
This book opens a window into the life of the major league baseball player many called the greatest lefty who
ever pitched. Included in this story is Koufax's famous decision to sit out the first game of the 1965 World
Series rather than play on Yom Kippur.
More
A Few Sweet Books
About Teamwork and Friendship
Biographies of Famous Jewish Athletes
Why Jews Love
Baseball via Tablet Magazine
May 26, 2026