For many spiritual athletes, religion is a central part of their lives… and not just when they’re praying for a big win. This list of famous athletes who are Jewish highlights Jewish jocks who have played professional sports. In fact, several famous baseball players, Olympic athletes, and football stars are Jewish. Some of these athletes were born and raised in the faith while others converted later in life. There is even a Jewish Sports Hall of Fame that recognizes the best of the best Jewish athletes.
But who is the most famous athlete who is Jewish? Any list of Jewish sports superstars has to include legendary Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax. Koufax was born and raised by a Jewish family in New York. He is often remembered as one of the greatest Jewish athletes of all time.
Then there are more current Jewish athletes like Dara Torres, the 12-time Olympic medalist. Torres was born half Jewish on her father's side, and she fully converted before marrying her husband Itzhak Shasha. Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus is also a Jew. After playing catcher in the major leagues, he became the first Jewish manager of the team.
The famous Jewish athletes on this list are sure to inspire millions of young Hebrew sports hopefuls who someday want to play in the big leagues. Who is your favorite Jewish star? Make your voice heard in the comments!
Age: 83
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Brooklyn Dodgers
Also Ranked
#17 on The Greatest Baseball Players of All Time
#8 on Athletes Whose Careers Ended Too Soon
#3 on The Best Starting Pitchers of All Time
#26 on The Greatest Left-Handed Athletes of All Time
see more on Sandy Koufax
Age: 51
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, California, United States of America
Also Ranked
#20 on The Greatest Jewish Athletes Of All Time
#83 on The Best Female Athletes of All Time
see more on Dara Torres
Age: Died at 75 (1911-1986)
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Greenwich Village, New York City, New York, United States of America
Teams: Detroit Tigers, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates
Also Ranked
#35 on The Most Beloved US Veterans
#37 on The Greatest Baseball Players of All Time
#5 on The Greatest First Basemen of All Time
#21 on The Best Hitters in Baseball History
see more on Hank Greenberg
Former major league catcher Brad Ausmus was born to a Jewish mother and Protestant father in New Haven, Connecticut. He went on to manage the Israel national baseball team and become the first Jewish manager of the Detroit Tigers. He was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
He told the Jewish Journal, "I wasn't raised with the Jewish religion, so in that sense I don't really have much feeling toward it. But, however, in the last 10 or so years, I have had quite a few young Jewish boys who will tell me that I am their favorite player or they love watching me play or they feel like baseball is a good fit for them because it worked for me or it worked for Shawn Green or other Jewish players at the major league level. It has been a sense of pride. If you can have a positive impact on a kid, I'm all for it."Age: 49
Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres
Also Ranked
#65 on The Smartest Professional Athletes
#65 on The Greatest Catchers of All Time
#17 on The Best Current MLB Managers
#14 on The Greatest Jewish Players In MLB History
see more on Brad Ausmus