Today is 14 days, which is two weeks of the omer: malchut she’big’vurah. My preferences in ballplayers come together today in an athlete who is both a native Texan and a career-long member of one team: Chicago Cubs infielder Ernie Banks grew up in Dallas and came to baseball in the last days of the Negro Leagues, where he was discovered by the Kansas City Monarchs, … Continue reading day 14: mr. sunshine
Today is 13 days, which is one week and six days of the omer: yesod she’big’vurah. I know you didn’t think I was going to choose A-Rod today. I also know you didn’t think that I wasn’t going to start with Texas. As it turns out, today’s honoree, left fielder Carl Crawford grew up in Houston and suffered the indignity all too common for people of color in … Continue reading day 13: the perfect storm
Today is 12 days, which is one week and five days of the omer: hod she’big’vurah. What’s that you say? A baseball legend in Canada? Yes, indeed, it’s not all hockey in the Great White North. I enjoyed my sojourn Sunday and again today in the 51st State. Today’s pick, a Puerto Rican turned Torontonian, owns the second most famous baseball moment in the Land of … Continue reading day 12: the canadian slugger
Today is 11 days, which is one week and four days of the omer: netzach she’big’vurah. I will always have a soft spot for Ryan Zimmerman because he and the Nationals and I all arrived in D.C. at the same time, in 2005. For many years, I split Nationals season tickets with several friends, and I regularly cheered for the home team — except of course when … Continue reading day 11: mr. national
Today is 10 days, which is one week and three days of the omer: tiferet she’big’vurah. I’m not totally sure why day 10 has given me such fits, but I had a hard time deciding whom I should highlight today. Chipper Jones, Phil Rizzuto, Miguel Tejada, Lefty Grove — but I’m finally happy with Expos and Cubs outfielder Andre Dawson for this day of “splendor within strength.” Dawson … Continue reading day 10: the hawk
Today is nine days, which is one week and two days of the omer: gevurah she’big’vurah.* Even if Red Sox right fielder Ted Williams hadn’t worn #9, I would have considered him for the day of gevurah she’big’vurah. There’s no way this outsize figure could be the pick for anything other than a double sefirah day. I will first admit that I find these double sefirot days a bit … Continue reading day 9: teddy ballgame
Today is eight days, which is one week and one day of the omer: hesed she’big’vurah. Today Milwaukee Brewers’ Ryan Braun was a contender because he’s Jewish (and you know, a pretty good ball player), but using PEDs, denying it, attacking the test collector, and only later admitting his use is not #goodfortheJews. Instead I’m going with Reds second baseman Joe Morgan — and not just because … Continue reading day 8: little joe
Today is still seven days of the omer, but my email reminds me that it’s also “Jackie Robinson Day” around the MLB, a celebration declared in 1997 by retiring his number, 42, league-wide — and then commemorated since 2004 by all players’ wearing his number in the day’s games. On April 15, 1947, Robinson walked out into Ebbets Field to help the Brooklyn Dodgers in … Continue reading day 7 bonus: #42
Today is seven days, which is one week of the omer: malchut she’b’hesed. Not Mantle (no more Yankees for a while), and not Biggio (I have to point out when I take a pass on an Astro). Today’s pick is catcher Iván Rodríguez — and not just because I had a friend in high school, of whom I have fond memories, with his same nickname. (Also, I … Continue reading day 7: pudge
Today is six days of the omer: yesod she’b’hesed. (Because of chag, I am posting this before the sixth day actually begins.) I’m biased towards players who have spent their whole careers on one team. I like loyalty, by team and by player. I like the relationship between players and fans that can develop over that kind of time. I like watching a player improve and … Continue reading day 6: the overlooked
Omertime 