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 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. This is a production of SoulShop in partnership with the Israel Association of Baseball.