Hello and happy Friday!
With seven of eight NHL first-round series making it to Game 6, these Stanley Cup playoffs did not disappoint. And the remaining Jewish players have played a crucial role for their teams.
Adam Fox has six assists for the New York Rangers, who finished third in the league in those playoffs. Zach Hyman has two assists and two goals for the Edmonton Oilers — one he got with his face (yes, really) and an overtime goal to win Game 4. Jack Hughes has three goals for the New Jersey Devils, including Monday’s smooth play. (Jack’s brother Luke has not appeared in any games for the Devils this postseason.)
Read on for this weekend’s Jewish hockey schedule.
Jerry Izenberg, Jewish reporter who covered 53 Super Bowls, has a story to tell
After 72 years as a sportswriter, Jerry Izenberg has quite a statistic. He covered the first 53 Super Bowls. He competed in 58 Kentucky Derbies. He has attended thousands of boxing matches and counts Muhammad Ali among his close personal friends. He’s covered the Olympics, the World Cup, the list goes on.
ISRAELI MIDFIELDER Manor Solomon celebrates after scoring the decisive goal for Fulham in their 1-0 Premier League win over Brighton & Hove Albion. (Credit: MATTHEW CHILDS/REUTERS)
The sportswriter legend has a new story to tell – about his Jewish upbringing in Newark.
Izenberg’s memoir, Baseball, Nazis, and Nedick’s Hot Dogs: Growing Up Jewish in 1930s Newark hits shelves Monday. It’s a deeply personal — and funny — retelling of his childhood that focuses on his relationship with his father, with whom he shared a serious passion for baseball.
“I’ve had a great life, and I have a great life, but I’m not done yet,” the 92-year-old told me in an interview this week. He’s as fiery as ever.
mid-term report
DO NOT BUY. When South Africa banned an Israeli team from an international rugby tournament last month, they claimed it was for security reasons – a statement the global rugby federation has since confirmed. But the Tel Aviv Heat aren’t so sure about that. I spoke to the team’s CEO about this.
ARSENAL OF JEWISH FANS. In response to a spate of recent anti-Semitic incidents among their fans, Premier League club Arsenal announced the creation of a new affiliation group for Jewish fans called the ‘Jewish Gooners’, incorporating the nickname for Arsenal fans.
THE AMIS WILL GET WORSE. New York Yankees Jewish outfielder Harrison Bader is close to returning to action after missing the season opener through injury. Bader is rehab in the minor leagues and has the Yankees’ May 5-7 series against the Tampa Bay Rays as a target for his season debut. (We still believe it was the matzah ball soup that helped him heal.)
FIFA WITH THE ASSIST. FIFA continues its relationship with the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation in Israel, extending for another year its financial support for the organization that uses sport as a vehicle for unity. Another Israeli program, The Equalizer, will receive a $30,000 grant.
PEARL JAM. San Francisco Giants All-Star Outfielder Joc Pederson celebrated his 31st birthday last Friday, and thanks to Team Israel he did it in style. As a thank you for representing Israel at the World Baseball Classic last month, Israel presented the fashionable batter with a Jewish star beaded necklace.
See Jews in sports this weekend
IN HOCKEY…
Zach Hyman and the Oilers lead 3-2 over the Los Angeles Kings – Game 6 is Saturday at 10:00 p.m. ET. Jack and Luke Hughes and the Devils lead 3-2 over Adam Fox and the New York Rangers; Game 6 is Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET. If either series reaches Game 7, it would be Monday.
IN BASKETBALL…
Domantas Sabonis and the Sacramento Kings are looking to avoid elimination against the Golden State Warriors tonight at 8 p.m. ET. If they win, Game 7 would be Sunday.
⚾️ IN BASEBALL…
Max Fried, who has a .60 ERA in three starts, takes the mound for the Atlanta Braves vs. the New York Mets tonight at 7:10 p.m. ET. Dean Kremer starts for the Baltimore Orioles against the Detroit Tigers at 1:10 p.m. ET on Saturday. In a World Series rematch this weekend, Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros face Garrett Stubbs and the Philadelphia Phillies in a three-game set.
⚽️ IN FOOTBALL…
Manor Solomon and Fulham FC take on Man City at 9am ET on Sunday. The New Jersey Red Bulls haven’t had a great start to the MLS season, but they have 20-year-old Jewish midfielder Daniel Edelman. The Red Bulls play the Chicago Fire tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. ET.
️ IN THE RACE…
Three races into the Formula 1 season, Jewish Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll has 20 points, more than he has accumulated all of last season. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place this weekend, Sunday at 7:00 am ET.
Go team, go
The New York Knicks dealt with the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, which begin this weekend. And as the irreverent Old Jewish Men Instagram page points out, the team isn’t lacking in the Old Jewish Men department — with fans like Jon Stewart, Howard Stern, Jerry Seinfeld and others helping to cheer them on.
The Knicks also have a rich Jewish history. In the very first game of what would become the NBA, the New York Knickerbockers faced the Toronto Huskies and fielded four Jewish players in their starting lineup (plus two more on the bench). Can you call her by name? Email us your answer at [email protected]!
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