Baseball cards have long captured the history of America’s pastime. In documenting the players and moments of each MLB season, cards also tell the story of changing tides in the sport’s inclusion and diversity over decades. For Jewish athletes in particular, baseball cards served both to memorialize their groundbreaking achievements while playing during periods of prejudice, as well as to signify baseball’s growing acceptance of all talent, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
When it comes to the earliest Jewish ballplayers to have their likenesses printed on cardboard, a pioneer stands out – Lou Bierbauer. Born in 1885 to German-Jewish immigrant parents, the right-handed pitcher made his major league debut in 1909 with the Philadelphia Athletics. While he only appeared in 8 games that year, Bierbauer became one of the first Jewish MLB players to have collectible cards made in his image. Appearing in the classic 1909-11 T206 cigarette card series, his card shows him in an A’s uniform with a serious expression. It remains a rare and important artifact documenting one of baseball’s first Jewish athletes at a time when anti-Semitism was still prevalent in American society.
Another early Jewish star to be commemorated was pitcher-outfielder Gene Hermanski, who played from 1934-1947 for the Phillies, Dodgers and Pirates. As a very good defensive outfielder with decent power, Hermanski appeared in the 1938 Play Ball set, pictured with a bat on his right shoulder in a Phils jersey. By the late 1930s, Judaism was no longer largely an unknown or frightening thing to most Americans, and Hermanski had established himself as a solid ballplayer, paving the way for future generations. His card represents the steady growth of inclusion and chances for Jewish athletes in the sport during the period between the World Wars.
It was in the postwar 1940s and 50s that the “Golden Age” of Jewish baseball stars truly began. Ike Blessitt, the slugging first baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1946-1951, appeared in sets like 1949 Bowman and 1951 Topps in action photos showcasing his powerful swing. Another slugger who blasted his way into the record books was third baseman Al Rosen, the American League MVP for the Cleveland Indians in 1953. His ’53 Topps card shows Rosen set to take a mighty hack, reflecting his status as one of the game’s top power hitters of the era. Both players exploded longstanding stereotypes that Jews lacked the physique or tenacity for success in professional athletics.
In Brooklyn and New York, meanwhile, Jewish Dodger and Yankee stars formed the core of championship contenders. Pee Wee Reese, the sure-handed shortstop for Brooklyn from 1940-1958, became one of the most honored players of the 1940s and 50s for his leadership on perennial contenders. His signature defensive skills making jaw-dropping plays were encapsulated on cards like 1955 Topps. Outfielder Sandy Koufax, who pitched for the Dodgers from 1955-1966, appeared regularly from his rookie season on sets issued by Bowman, Topps and others in action shots reflecting his initial status as a speedy position player before injuries led to his transition to the mound as one of history’s elite left-handed aces.
Koufax’s Dodger teammate and fellow Jewish star Don Drysdale enjoyed an equally impressive MLB career as a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher from 1956-1969. Drysdale’s intimidating 6’6 build and fiery competitiveness were perfectly represented on 1960 Topps and subsequent issues where he’s often seen mid-windup, his jersey stressing against his muscular frame. As a formidable 1-2 punch with Koufax, Drysdale helped the Dodgers capture World Series titles in 1959, 1963 and 1965 – a period when Jewish athletes ascended to the highest individual and team levels of performance, shattering long-held limits.
Into the late 1960s and beyond, Jewish major leaguers continued leaving an indelible mark on MLB. Tommy John, the left-handed pitcher who played from 1963 to 1989, pioneered an elbow surgery technique that bears his name. His 1969 Topps card shows John in a pitching motion to signify his durable career prior to the groundbreaking operation that extended it. Later stars like former MVP first basemen Jeff Bagwell of the Astros (1991-2005) and catcher Mike Piazza of the Dodgers, Marlins and Mets (1992-2007) carried on the tradition with their prolific power numbers captured on iconic Upper Deck and Topps Traded editions.
To this day, baseball cards serve as tangible reminders of how far the game has come to embrace talent from all backgrounds. Veterans like former All-Star outfielder Jason Kidd of the Giants (2005-2013) and current players like Milwaukee Brewers infielder Luis Urias keep both Jewish and Hispanic traditions alive in America’s pastime. Their cardboard collectibles represent not only individual merit, but also baseball’s continuing evolution as the most inclusive professional sport in the country. Whether highlighting pioneering barrier breakers or modern statistical standouts, baseball cards ensure Jewish major leaguers’ permanent place in the story of America’s national pastime.
