Designated Hitters: The Story of Israel Baseball

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As the 2021 Summer Olympics kick off, six baseball teams will fight for glory. They include powerhouses like the United States, Japan, and the Dominican Republic. And, to the surprise of many, Team Israel. This limited-run podcast will tell the story of how a small country the size of New Jersey which features no professional baseball league managed to produce a world-class team that beat a string of baseball Goliaths to secure a trip to Tokyo. With unprecedented insider access to players, coaches, and managers, the show will tell the stories of the ragtag team of athletes -- some former Major Leaguers, some underdogs -- who managed to pull off one of the greatest upsets in modern sports history, touching on larger themes like faith, friendship, and nationhood.

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Episodes

Series Finale: Team Israel vs. The World

In the series finale, join Chana Weinberg to learn about Team Israel’s wild and suspenseful journey throughout the Tokyo Olympic games as they battled, Korea, The United States, Japan, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic for Gold. This limited-run podcast will tell the story of how a small country the size of New Jersey which features no professional baseball league managed to produce a world-class team that beat a string of baseball Goliaths to secure a trip to Tokyo. With unprecedented insider ...

Nov 11, 2021•14 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Doubleheader: The Sabra and the Coach

Join Chana Weinberg on this episode to learn about pitcher and sabra Alon Leichman and the coach who brought Israel to Eric Holtz , a rare pair whose legacies trace back to the beginning of organized baseball in Israel and how their wild baseball journeys led them both back home to join Team Israel. This limited-run podcast will tell the story of how a small country the size of New Jersey which features no professional baseball league managed to produce a world-class team that beat a string of b...

Oct 22, 2021•13 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Now Pitching: Josh Zeid

On this episode, join Chana Weinberg to learn about former top pitching prospect Josh Zeid and how he overcame a career altering injury that ultimately led him to taking the mound for team Israel in the Olympics. This limited-run podcast will tell the story of how a small country the size of New Jersey which features no professional baseball league managed to produce a world-class team that beat a string of baseball Goliaths to secure a trip to Tokyo. With unprecedented insider access to players...

Oct 14, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Batting Cleanup: Blake Gailen

On this episode, join Chana Weinberg to learn about Israel’s cleanup hitter Blake Gailen and how his turbulent journey through the minor leagues and playing in Australia during the Covid-19 pandemic ultimately led him to play a crucial role in helping Team Israel qualify for the Olympics. This limited-run podcast will tell the story of how a small country the size of New Jersey which features no professional baseball league managed to produce a world-class team that beat a string of baseball Gol...

Sep 30, 2021•11 min•Season 1Ep. 4

First Base: Danny Valencia

In this episode, join Chana Weinberg to learn about the life and career of MLB journey man Danny Valencia, and how being raised as a proud Jew by his mother led him to become the first baseman for the Israel national team that made it all the way to the Olympics. This limited-run podcast will tell the story of how a small country the size of New Jersey which features no professional baseball league managed to produce a world-class team that beat a string of baseball Goliaths to secure a trip to ...

Sep 24, 2021•12 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Israel Baseball Takes on America

Where does a team with no professional league in their home country hone their skills? In baseball's home-country, of course! Find out what happens when a team of dreamers meets exhibition baseball in America. This limited-run podcast will tell the story of how a small country the size of New Jersey which features no professional baseball league managed to produce a world-class team that beat a string of baseball Goliaths to secure a trip to Tokyo. With unprecedented insider access to players, c...

Sep 15, 2021•12 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Olympic Dreams

When you look at the lineup for the 2020 Olympic baseball competition, there were five baseball teams you'd expect to see: the United States, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, South Korea, and Japan. If you kept reading the down scorecard you'd find the sixth team: Israel. Israel's national baseball was slated to make its first appearance on the Olympic stage this past summer, but few of the devotees to the American national pastime could name an Israeli baseball player, let alone a full roster. I...

Sep 09, 2021•8 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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