Story and photos by Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO – Although our San Diego Padres were defeated by the San Francisco Giants by a score of 7-6 on Sunday, July 28, there was a magical moment during what was designated as “Jewish Community Day” at Petco Park.
That moment came during the bottom of the third inning when the Padres were down by a score of 2-1. Ian Kinsler, who is Jewish, came up as a pinch hitter for pitcher Eric Lauer. “C’mon Boychik,” this fan yelled. “Make your people proud. Get a hit!”
Sitting in Section 133, Row 25 of the right field stands, a few hundred yards from home plate, I didn’t have any illusions that Kinsler would hear my encouragement, but maybe his subconscious somehow caught the vibe.
He hit a single. Such a mensch!
Next, I was thinking, “Okay, show ‘em your skills as a goniff, steal second,” but before I knew it, Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a Madison Bumgarner pitch, advancing Kinsler to second.
I was sitting at the edge of my seat, up there in nose bleed country. I thought maybe the $300,000 man, Manny Machado, might drive Kinsler home, but no such luck
And then Hunter Renfroe strode to the plate. “He can do it,” I commented to Bill Sperling, co-president of the Tifereth Israel Synagogue Men’s Club, some of whose red-shirted members watched the game together.
Sperling nodded his head, as if to say, “Yup, Renfroe has been hitting quite a few homers.”
And that’s exactly what Renfroe did. A beautiful shot to the left field stands put the Padres ahead 4-2. It was Renfroe’s 29th round-tripper of the year.
Sure, Renfroe was the hero of the moment, but our great San Diego Jewish hope – Ian Kinsler – was the one who started off the rally. Did I mensch-ian he’s a mensch?
San Francisco also has a Jewish player in centerfielder Kevin Pillar, who in five times at bat, smacked a double. (He also struck out twice). Unfortunately for the Giants, happily for the Padres (at least in that inning) Pillar advance no farther.
I couldn’t help but notice that when Tatis Jr. steps up to the plate, the Padres organization plays Latin style music over the public address system to welcome him. That’s wonderful; I like it.
Now, we need something to gin up enthusiasm for Kinsler. How about “Hava Nagila,” maybe?
From my vantage point up there in the right field stands, it was almost as much fun watching my fellow Jews rooting for the Padres as it was watching the game itself. There were quite a few Chabadniks wearing tzitzit, and some came in full black hat and black coat regalia.
Other of our co-religionists made their sentiments known with the messages imprinted on their clothing. One man’s T-shirt read, “Thank You IDF” with a heart replacing the “o” in “You.” It was an interesting accolade for the Israel Defense Force on a day that also involved a Padres salute to the U.S. Marines, during which Maj. Gen. Robert F. Castellvi, commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, threw out the ceremonial first pitch; a group of 34 Marines went through an enlistment ceremony on the field; the Marine Corp Band played the National Anthem; there was a Marine Corps flyover; and, during the seventh-inning stretch, Lance Cpl. Megan Browning sang “God Bless America.”
When I think of Jews and the U.S. Marine Corps, I remember that General Robert Magnus, who once commanded the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station here in San Diego, advanced to become the assistant commandant of the entire Marine Corps. I also make note that while most Jews who were awarded our nation’s Medal of Honor were in the Army, one Marine who received that highest of awards was Samuel Gross who was cited for his conspicuous bravery during the American military action in Haiti in 1915.
In the stands, one fellow with a black felt kippah wore a shirt that said “If you love your freedom, thank a vet.”
Part of the promotion for Jewish Community Day was a free Padres hat with Jewish stars imprinted under the bill and a Hebrew transliteration of “Padres” on the back: reading (from right to left, of course) Peh-alef-dalet-resh-samech. One fellow in the stands came with a shirt with a matching transliteration, lucky fellow.
There were among the Jewish fans some who rooted from San Francisco – they are to be forgiven – and one Conservative rabbi, who moved to San Diego from Philadelphia, who wore a red Phillies hat to the game. At least Rabbi Joshua Dorsch’s head gear was close in color to the red shirt of the Tifereth Israel Synagogue Men’s Club, of which he is an honored member.
In addition to receiving the special hats, those who purchased Padres ticket under auspices of the Jewish community also received one kosher hotdog on a bun (with mustard, if you wanted it) and a soft drink.
That was a wonderful combination for a ball game, because as the taste kept coming back inning after inning, it was a reminder of how good it is to be a Jew in San Diego.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com