SubscribeThe greatest Jewish athlete ever?
The Memphis Flyer ran this odd item about an “inter-sport” event between raquetball player Bud Muehlheisen and handballer Paul Haber, “the subject of a documentary in the works that calls him the greatest Jewish athlete of all time.
In their match, left-handed Muehleisen got to use a racquet but the ball was a handball, which is smaller, harder, and easier to spin than a racquetball. Remember, that racquets then were considerably smaller and less powerful than they are today, but it still seems amazing that Haber won the match. Muehleisen took a rematch seven months later.
Haber died in 2002 at the age of 65. He was inducted into the U.S. Handball Association Hall of Fame in 1983.
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As a golf pro prior to supporting himself as national handball champion Haber led a men’s PGA round on the tour .Green Bay Packer players in the 60’s said Paul was talented enough to play DB in the NFL.Major league players with the LA Dodgers were convinced Haber could play 2B,SS or 3B in the pros.Paul Haber supported himself as a handball player and toured the country winning local, regional and national titles.He actually beat the racquetball national champion playing handball versus racquetball.The senior sports writer for Sports Illustrated Dan Flavin who covered the event in Memphis said it was the greatest sports event he had ever seen.Haber in his prime was 5′10 and 165lbs.He played 20-25 games of handball everyday and would be on the court practicing for endless hours too.Haber was culturally Jewish and not spiritually Jewish
Correction.Dan Levin not Dan Flavin was the senior SI writer that was amazed at the Haber vs Dr.Bud match in Memphis in 1972.Paul Haber challenged Sandy Koufax to pitch a live game and Koufax would not get involved.He knew Paul would win due to the requirement of pitching 4 and 1/2 innings righthanded and 4 and 1/2 innings lefthanded.Haber beat top players in darts,cribbage, backgammon,chess,pool, and checkers.He held a master’s bridge rating in his twenties.Throughout his life Haber earned money giving golf lessons and winning handball games.Paul Haber was catlike in his athletic movements on a handball court.He won money in handball games playing with one arm, holding a chair while playing,giving points to the other player prior to the handball match.