Letter to the Editor: Perri Schwartz

Letter to the editor,

After 26 years, the city of Atlanta can finally say these words: “World Series Champions.” Braves’ pitcher Max Fried, who is Jewish, led the team to their first World Series victory in more than 2 decades. With 4 Jewish players in the entire game, this is said to be the most Jewish game in the entire history of baseball. Astros’ 3rd baseman Alex Bregman stepped up to the field and completely busted Fried’s pitch to right field, where it was caught by Braves outfielder Joc Peterson, who is also Jewish, easily for out number two. Fried also overcame a potentially serious injury to strike out six, all without surrendering a run or walk.

To most fans, this play had no significance. But to Jewish fans, this meant so much more.

To see three Jewish players coexisting from opposing teams on the baseball’s biggest stage truly shows that the Jewish people are all one community worldwide.

For Pederson, this was his second consecutive World Series championship. Last year, Pederson played for the 2020 World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The fourth player to appear in the World Series lineup was Astros’ backup catcher Garrett Stubs. He only entered the game as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning, and he did not bat.

Fried’s success came to a scary start during the first inning. As the Astros’ Michael Brantley was approaching down on base, he proceeded to step on Fried’s ankle instead of the base. Replays showed Fried’s ankle was almost flattened under Brantley’s cleat. Fried manage to get back up and pitch to clinch.

“I just told myself that I was going to go out there and be 100% me, just try to win a ballgame,” Fried said after the win.

Despite the shining moment for Fried, the Jewish players in the game had a cold series. Pederson had just one hit in 15 at-bats, while Bregman knocked two of them, one being a double, in 21 at bats. Bregman also struck out seven times, while Pederson only struck out four.

The Jewish sports world is never a new phenomenon, but this special night was truly historic. Fried and Pederson truly represented not just Atlanta, but Atlanta’s Jewish community. Fried and Pederson will forever be icons of Atlanta’s Jewish sports world. They brought back a victory both to our city and our Jewish community, and thus shall be hailed as heroes to us.

Perri Schwartz, Age 18, Atlanta