Jewish MLB players ‘stand’ for Israel in video
Nineteen current and former major league baseball players who are Jewish made a commercial in support of Israel in their war with Hamas.
On Thursday, Israel Baseball posted a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, that featured the players stating they are Jewish and asking viewers to “stand up against antisemitism” and “support Israel.”
Houston Astros All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman is prominent in the oneminute video.
Among those also appearing was former MLB infielder and current Texas Rangers executive Ian Kinsler. Kinsler, who managed the Israel national team in the World Baseball Classic, donned his jersey Wednesday to throw out the firts pitch before ALCS Game 3 in Arlington, Texas.
Former players Shawn Green, Brad Ausmus and Ryan Braun also appear in the commercial.
Baseball
After seeing a dip in ratings for the wild-card and division series, baseball’s league championship series were seeing solid ratings through the first two games of each series. According to Nielsen, the LCS English and Spanish broadcasts for the first two games were averaging 5.2 million viewers, which is even with last year.
• The Chicago Cubs expect right-hander Michael Fulmer to miss the 2024 season after the reliever had surgery on his pitching elbow. Fulmer,
the 2016 AL rookie of the year, was 3-5 with a 4.42 ERA out of the Cubs bullpen this season.
Golf
Collin Morikawa shot a 6under 64 to lead the Zozo Championship after the first round in Inzai City, Japan. Japanese player Mikumu Horikawa and Americans Robby Shelton and Eric Cole were among five players just a shot back in the only PGA Tour event in Japan.
• Ashleigh Buhai shot a bogey-free 10-under 62, but only led by one after the opening round of the LPGA’s BMW Championship in Seoul. Only 10 players in the 78-player field were over par. American Alison Lee was in second place after a 63.
• James Morrison took advantage of calm conditions before high winds and bad weather set in to shoot an 8under 64 for the early lead at the Andalucia Masters in San Roque, Spain.
• Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry will receive the Charlie Sifford
Award for his work in advancing diversity in golf. Curry two years ago launched “Underrated Golf” that commits to providing equity, access and opportunity to high school athletes from all communities. He also funded the Howard University golf team for six years.
College basketball
Longtime Syracuse coach and Hall of Famer Jim Boeheim is negotiating a deal to work for ESPN this season. He also expects to do radio work for Westwood One late in the season.
Gymnastics
Mary Lou Retton remains in intensive care after suffering “a pretty scary setback” in her recovery from pneumonia, according to her daughter. Shayla Schrepfer, the oldest of Retton’s four daughters, said in a video posted Wednesday night on Instagram that her 55-yearold mother “had a better day today” following the setback Tuesday.
Pro basketball
Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden skipped practice for a second day in a row, although the team officially reported that the disgruntled player is away because of a personal matter.
• The WNBA fined the New York Liberty $25,000 after some of their players declined media interview following the team’s loss to the Las Vegas Aces in the clinching game of the league finals Wednesday night. The Aces defeated the Liberty, 70-69, to win the series, 3-1.
Tennis
Taylor Fritz was eliminated from the Japan Open after losing to Japanese wild -card Shintaro Mochizuki, 06, 6-4, 7-6 (2), in the second round. Mochizuki is ranked 215th in the world.
• Boris Becker is returning to coaching for the first time since the six-time Grand Slam tennis winner’s release from a British prison last year. He will work with Holger Rune, ranked No. 6 in the world.