Top Jewish Athletes that I've seen

This post has been sitting in my drafts for two years due to ongoing issues in the world today. A friend I work with told me that if I continue to leave this post in my drafts, then they win. So I'm doing it! If I come back to this post and see 100 hate comments … well, at least that would mean a record number of viewers. Bottom line: This is a sports blog. It is intended to be fun.  With that being said...

Happy High Holidays to all the Jews out there who read this blog! If you aren't Jewish but still read this blog, then welcome back and happy end of September! In this week's blog, I will be writing about the best Jewish athletes I have seen in person. These will be players in the MLB, NHL, NFL, and NBA (sorry to all of you Premier League and MLS fans out there), in no particular order.

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Terrell Suggs

Okay, so I only saw Terrell Suggs once—and it wasn’t even a regular season game, just a preseason matchup back in 2015. But honestly, that was all it took. Even in a game that didn’t mean anything in the standings, Suggs played like it mattered. You could feel the energy when he was on the field, and it was clear why he built a career as one of the most feared defenders in the league. Preseason or not, T-Sizzle left an impression that stuck with me.

Zach Hyman

Zach Hyman might technically be considered the “third wheel” next to Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but watching him live showed me he’s so much more than that. He does the dirty work, wins battles in the corners, sets up plays, and still manages to score 50 goals. He’s one of those players you don’t fully appreciate until you see him with your own eyes—then it all makes sense. He’s the glue guy who turns a talented lineup into a winning team.

Deni Avdija

Deni Avdija was my favorite Wizard of the new era, and seeing him play live confirmed why. He wasn’t the flashiest player on the floor, but his defense, hustle, and smart play made him stand out to me. He brought a sense of steadiness every time he checked into the game, and you could tell he was earning the respect of teammates and coaches. Watching him grow season by season was one of the few bright spots for Wizards fans—until the day he was traded, which broke my heart. At least now he’s continuing to thrive in Portland.

Dean Kremer

Dean Kremer is one of those players whose story sticks with you. The first time I saw him, I even joked with my dad, “Who is this scrub and why is he pitching for the O’s?” Turns out, he was a lot more than that. When he’s healthy, Kremer looks every bit the part of a solid pitcher on a playoff contender. And beyond the numbers, there’s something special about knowing he’s the first Israeli-American in the majors. Whether he’s on the mound for Baltimore or wearing the blue and white for Team Israel, Kremer brings both talent and pride every time he pitches.

The Hughes Family

Okay, technically, this is supposed to be about one athlete. But I can’t choose between the Hughes brothers—I’ve seen them all play, and they each bring something different. So instead of picking one, I’m putting the whole family here. Sometimes it’s just easier to call it a package deal. There is an argument to be had about who has had the better career. Quinn Hughes is the captain of the Vancouver Canucks and has been farther in the playoffs, while his brothers Jack and Luke are both on the Devils but have done well themselves. Okay, maybe there isn’t an argument for Luke being the best (yet), but there definitely is for Jack.