The history of Jews in Major League Baseball and their representation in baseball cards spans over a century. Some of the earliest Jewish big leaguers reached the major leagues in the late 19th century and their assimilation into America’s pastime coincided with a rise in the printing and popularity of baseball cards beginning in the 1890s.
One of the first notable Jewish MLB players was pitcher Max Meyer who made his debut with the New York Giants in 1892 at the age of 21. Meyer only pitched in 5 games that season but established himself as one of the first American Jews to reach the highest level of professional baseball. Meyer does not appear to have any baseball cards printed during his brief MLB career but he helped pave the way for future Jewish baseball players to break through.
In the early decades of the 20th century, a small number of Jewish ballplayers began appearing regularly in the major leagues. Outfielder Billy Rhine made his debut in 1903 and had a 13-year MLB career, mostly with the Boston Americans/Red Sox. Rhine is likely one of the first Jewish players to be featured on baseball cards during the early 1900s although few examples survive today from that era. The growth of American Jewish communities and the increasing commercialization of baseball through products like cards helped foster greater acceptance of Jews in the sport.
One of the most prominent Jewish MLB stars of the inter-war period was catcher/outfielder Hank Greenberg who broke in with the Detroit Tigers in 1933. Greenberg smashed 58 home runs in 1938 to lead the American League and won the AL MVP that season. His superstar status translated into widespread inclusion on many vintage baseball cards of the 1930s from sets by companies like Goudey, Diamond Stars, and Play Ball. Greenberg remains one of the most iconic Jewish baseball figures ever depicted on early 20th century cardboard.
Other notable Jewish players appearing on 1930s/40s cards include pitchers Sam Nahem (Boston Braves), Al Schechter (Philadelphia A’s), and Ernie Koy (New York Giants). As increasing numbers of American Jews achieved success both on the diamond and beyond, baseball cards helped reflect the growing assimilation and representation of Jews in popular American culture and pastimes. Anti-Semitism persisted as a barrier for some Jewish ballplayers even as more reached the majors.
The postwar period through the 1960s saw a “Golden Age” for Jewish major leaguers when as many as 20-25 players of Jewish descent could be found on big league rosters at any given time. Icons like the Brooklyn Dodgers’ Sandy Koufax, the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves’ Hank Aaron, and several New York Yankees dynasties were featured prominently on classic 1950s/60s cards from employers like Topps. Koufax in particular achieved near-mythical status as arguably the greatest Jewish athlete in any sport when he won 3 Cy Youngs in a row for the Dodgers from 1963-1965.
Meanwhile, the amateur sport of softball captivated many American Jewish communities where baseball faced Sabbath restrictions. Leagues thrived in places like New York City and annual softball tournaments drew huge crowds. Softball cards captured the sport’s Jewish popularity through depictions of championship teams and star players. Ken Holtzman, a Jewish southpaw pitcher who won 174 MLB games, observed “Jews were discouraged from the religion to play baseball on Shabbat but softball was the outlet.”
Into the 1970s and 1980s, the number of Jewish major leaguers declined from the postwar peak but legendary closer Rollie Fingers brought pride as the first Jewish American League MVP in 1981 as a member of the World Series champion Oakland A’s. Stars like Dodgers/Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer (133 career wins), Astros/White Sox outfielder Ken Landreaux, and Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis kept the Jewish heritage on baseball cards as the hobby boomed in the late 20th century.
Today, while fewer Jews play in the majors, the tradition lives on with current stars like Dodgers Triple Crown slugger Adrián González, Tigers MVP Justin Verlander (who is half-Jewish), Cubs star catcher Willson Contreras, and Reds closer Amir Garrett. Their inclusion in contemporary card issues from companies like Topps, Panini, and Leaf helps ensure the role of Jewish ballplayers remains remembered among new generations of collectors. At the grassroots levels, youth baseball programs and camps like Adam Greenberg’s “JEM Baseball” foster skills development and community for Jewish American players.
Through over a century’s worth of baseball cards, the contributions of Jewish major leaguers to America’s national pastime can be traced from pioneering early 20th century players to postwar standouts and modern stars still active today. While challenges of discrimination and assimilation existed, cards helped ensure their successes were shared widely and Jewish heritage in MLB is celebrated along with peoples of all faiths and backgrounds who have left their mark on the game.
Baseball cards have helped chronicle the history of Jewish ballplayers in Major League Baseball and reflect their growing acceptance and fandom over the past 126 years. From Max Meyer’s debut in 1892 to today’s current crop of Jewish major leaguers, cards have assisted in recording their successes and contributions to keeping this heritage alive both on the field and beyond through collections.
