SubscribeJML update, weekend edition
First an Update update:
It turns out that reports of Jason Kipnis as the newest JML were erroneous.
Kipnis has a Jewish father, and was therefore considered an MOT according to one of the criteria of the Jewish Sports Review. A second criteria states that the player is willing to be identified as Jewish, which Kipnis was, but that was back in 2008 and evidently no one checked since then. So the third prong requires the player not practice another religion. Bingo (no religious connotation intended): According to the Indians’ media relations guy, Kipnis is a practicing Catholic. Some eagle-eyed JML fan saw a close-up of Kipnis sporting a crucifix and made the inquiry.
So we’re back to 10 JMLs. Hard come, easy go.
We now return you to our regularly scheduled program…
Ryan Braun was 2-12 with a double as the Brewers swept their weekend series against the Astros.
| DATE | OPP | RESULT | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | AVG |
| 7/31 | vs HOU | W 5-4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .322 |
| 7/30 | vs HOU | W 6-2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .320 |
| 7/29 | vs HOU | W 4-0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .324 |
Kevin Youkilis hit his 15th home run in the Red Sox’s 10-2 win over White Sox on Saturday. It was one of two hits for the game (he also made a nifty barehand play on a bunt at third base), but those were his only safeties in 12 at bats for the weekend series, which Boston took, two games to one.
| DATE | OPP | RESULT | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | AVG |
| 7/31 | @ CHW | W 5-3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .273 |
| 7/30 | @ CHW | W 10-2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .275 |
| 7/29 | @ CHW | L 3-1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .273 |
Ian Kinsler missed yesterday’s 7-3 loss to the Blue Jays. He’s in the midst of a terrible slump in which he has just three hits in his last 35 at bats, if you subtract his 4-6 night in the Rangers’ 20-6 win over the Twins on July 25.
| DATE | OPP | RESULT | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | AVG |
| 7/30 | @ TOR | W 3-0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .243 |
| 7/29 | @ TOR | L 3-2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .24 |
Scott Feldman appeared in Sunday’s game, retiring the side in order in the last inning.
| IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | GB | FB | TBF | Pit | Dec. | Rel. | ERA | |||
| 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | – | – | 3.00 |
Danny Valencia had three singles in eight at bats in the final two games of the Twins’ series against the A’s. He missed the opener, just to have a night off.
| DATE | OPP | RESULT | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | AVG |
| 7/31 | @ OAK | L 7-3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .242 |
| 7/30 | @ OAK | L 8-3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .239 |
Sam Fuld appeared in just yesterday’s 8-1 win over the Mariners. He was 0-5 but managed to score two runs as the result of reaching base on an error and a fielder’s choice.
| AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | AVG | |||
| 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .236 |
Jason Marquis was scheduled to make his Saturday start against the Mets. Instead, he was traded from the NL East last-place Nationals to the second place NL-West Arizona Diamondbacks. He’s scheduled to make his next start on Wednesday against the Giants.
Craig Breslow worked himself into a bases-loaded situation in Sunday’s 7-3 win over the Twins before dowsing the fire by striking out Jim Thome, who had homered earlier in the game and just three away from 600 for his career.
| IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | GB | FB | TBF | Pit | Dec. | Rel. | ERA | |||
| 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 31 | – | – | 3.82 |
John Grabow entered Saturday’s game against the Cardinals in the seventh inning and gave up an unearned run on one hit in the Cubs’ 13-5 loss.
| IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | GB | FB | TBF | Pit | Dec. | Rel. | ERA | |||
| 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 14 | – | – | 5.08 |
DNP: Ike Davis, Mets, Disabled List.
Actually what Jason Kipnis told us at the Jewish Sports Review in 2008 was that he would like to be included in our list of Jewish baseball players . He was clearly given our criteria and made no mention of his Catholicism.
Ephraim Moxson
Jewish Sports Review
What an ironic entry, Ron. So after a crappy day yesterday in which my car was damaged by hail and a new stadium plan for my Islanders was voted down (meaning they may very well bolt NY in 2015), I’m watching ESPN news and see Kipnis has hit the 2nd HR of his young career. Better yet after the highlight they cut to a brief interview with Kipnis and Tim Kurkijan of ESPN (probably spelled wrong, lol). Anyway, unless my eyesight has started to fail me already, and I don’t think it has just yet, I could swear I see a rather elaborate cross around JK’s neck. Of course this is right about the time I’m ready to turn to a non-Jewish friend of mine and brag that he’s the latest Jewish ballplayer in the Majors. All I can say now is that I’m confused. I sure hope Kipnis still identifies somewhat or it’s kind of like getting a present that’s immediately demanded back. Ephraim and Shel at JSR have always been spot on, so hopefully Kipnis hasn’t recently found some new exclusive religious awakening. Perhaps he just identifies with both and doesn’t really practice either, like Ryan Kalish for example. To be honest, I’m sure most athletes considered Jewish wouldn’t be identified as practicing by several denominations of Judaism, aside from Reform, but I might not be either. As long as even one mainstream denomination accepts them that’s good enough for me. Heck, we need all the help we can get.