Former Big Leaguers Jason Marquis and Ike Davis to Play for Israel at World Baseball Classic’s Brooklyn Qualifier
Error: Contact form not found.
by Barney Breen-Portnoy

Former Mets first baseman Ike Davis will play for Israel at the World Baseball Classic qualifier tournament in Brooklyn in September. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
A slew of Jewish former Major League baseball players — including one-time All-Star Jason Marquis and ex-Met Ike Davis — will be suiting up for Israel next month at the Brooklyn qualifier tournament for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Israel’s bid to make the fourth-ever Classic will begin with a September 22 game against Great Britain at MCU Park, home of the Class A Brooklyn Cyclones. Brazil and Pakistan will also be competing in the modified double-elimination Brooklyn tournament.
World Baseball Classic rules allow players to compete for any countries in which they qualify for citizenship. This enables Israel to draw on the talent of non-native Jewish athletes who are eligible for Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return. Israel’s roster includes former big leaguers Marquis, Davis, Josh Satin and Craig Breslow. Also wearing the blue and white will be 20 current Minor League players.
Israel will be coached by 72-year-old Jerry Weinstein, the manager of the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod League.
The winner of the Brooklyn tournament will be the 16th and final team to join the World Baseball Classic field. The teams who have already qualified are: Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States and Venezuela.
Israel narrowly missed out on making the 2013 World Baseball Classic when it fell 9-7 to Spain in a winner-takes-all final game at a qualifier tournament in Jupiter, Florida in September 2012. Israel did not seek to qualify for the 2006 or 2009 World Baseball Classic events.
The 2017 World Baseball Classic will take place in March at venues in Japan, South Korea, Mexico and the US. The championship will be played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Antisemitism in Plain Sight: When Professionals Show Empathy to Everyone — But Jews
What Being a Zionist Student Leader at Clark University Has Taught Me
For Israel, the Accusation Itself Becomes Proof
Fatah Turned 388 Terrorists Into Its Leaders at Its 8th General Conference
Netanyahu, Sa’ar Rebuke Ben-Gvir Over Flotilla Video as Pro-Israel Voices Warn of Strategic, Diplomatic Damage
Trump Says US May Strike Iran Again but That Tehran Wants Deal
Somaliland Says It Will Open an Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel to Reciprocate
Lebanese People Broadly Support Hezbollah’s Disarmament, Peace With Israel, New Poll Finds
Antisemitic AI Videos Target Children With Disney-Pixar Style to Push Holocaust Denial, Report Shows
Yeshiva University Holds Conference Calling for ‘Social Science’ Study of Rising Antisemitism





UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese Urges Germany to Get Over Holocaust Guilt in Antisemitic Tirade
Trump Says US May Strike Iran Again but That Tehran Wants Deal
Kuwaiti Jiu-Jitsu Gold Medalist Refuses Handshake With Israeli Athlete: ‘We Do Not Respect Them At All’
Hungarian Filmmaker Says ‘Orgy of Antisemitism Overtaking the West,’ Feels ‘Ostracized’ by Film Industry
Lebanese People Broadly Support Hezbollah’s Disarmament, Peace With Israel, New Poll Finds



