When I was a kid, I, like many others, wanted to be a professional athlete. It seemed like a pretty easy task at the time. I just had to practice every day and I would be a basketball star in no time.
Then, sadly, Judaism got in the way. And no, I’m not talking about the religious restrictions. I’m talking about the physical restrictions. Short Jewish boys just aren’t meant to be athletes.
So when my roommate went to Shea Stadium this week to see the Mets play the Chicago Cubs, I sent him the following text message: “Root for Jason Marquis (the pitcher for the Cubs). He’s a Jew.” When a Jew makes it in the pros, you gotta represent.
About a half hour later, my roommate texted me back saying, “Marquis just hit a grand slam.” Now, if you don’t know anything about baseball, a grand slam is a rare feat. But for a pitcher to hit a grand slam, well that’s damn near impossible.
While I’m no fan of the Cubs, I couldn’t help but shep naches (express pride) for the Jewish boy from Long Island living the dream.
It turns out though, that I wasn’t the only one who noticed this “Ness Gadol” (great miracle). According to JTA, Marquis is the first Jewish pitcher to hit a grand slam since Saul Rogovin of the Detroit Tigers accomplished the feat in 1950.
