Jewish Fantasy Baseball - Week 1 and 2 Report

The Major League Jews got off to a good start in week 1, but ultimately couldn't overcome the Grady Sizemore-led "WVRangersbaseball" squad. They fell in a heartbreaker, 223 - 202. Leading the way for the Jew Crew was Ian Kinsler, who went 8 for 23, with 2 HRs and 8 RBIs. The biggest surprise? Kinsler's backup, the usually light-hitting David Eckstein, who earned 15 points batting 5 for 24, with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI. Will Eckstein overtake Kinsler or Khalil Greene in the starting lineup? No. But he did outperform fellow JINO Mike Jacobs, who started in the Utility spot with only 9 points.

Jacobs wasn't the only guy on the team to disappoint however. Gabe Kapler embarassed himself by striking out against the Yankees. Striking out against outfielder Nick Swisher, who hadn't pitched since high school. Yikes, Gabe. Better "soup up" with some matzo balls before the next game.

Week 2 was a triumphant victory for the Stars of David. Fresh off a matzo and macaroon diet, the Homerin Hebrews outplayed "3Cardinals," 241 to 200. The shabbat candles were lit by a Golem-like Ian Kinsler, who earned 56 points in a monster week: 15 for 27, 4 doubles, a triple, 2 HR, 9 R, 6 RBI, 3 BB, and 6 stolen bases. Oh... and I forgot to mention: He hit for the cycle. The first Jew to do so? I don't know. But he was the first ANYONE to hit for the cycle and go 6 for 6 in the same game. Mazel Tov!

Mike Jacobs redeemed a lackluster first week with 39 points: 4 HRs, 6 runs and 8 RBIs. And Eckstein continued to hammer the challah: 20 points on 9 for 21 hitting, 3 doubles, 3 runs and 3 RBI.

This week, the Synagogue Sluggers take on "TheCubs-vs-TheGoat," a team led by Jose Reyes and a disturbing amount of Chicago Cubs players. Elijah Dukes and Brad Ausmus make their Jewish Fantasy Baseball debuts for 2009 (Schneider is on the DL, Schafer is struggling). So give extra to Tzedakah this week, our boys are gonna need all the nachas they can get.