Pirates analyst and southpaw pitcher heads to Tokyo Olympics with Team Israel timesofisrael.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from timesofisrael.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Israel Olympic baseball player Ian Kinsler takes batting practice at Salt River Fields spring training facility, on May 12 in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo)
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. Danny Valencia ducked out of the scorching Arizona sun, reached into a cooler to grab an ice-cold drink and took a seat on the bench. The former Major League Baseball player savored the sweat dripping off his face onto the dugout floor, knowing he had found a second calling in the game of baseball.
Leading Team Israel to Olympic gold in Tokyo this summer.
“I wanted to play some meaningful baseball games,” Valencia said. “Before you knew it, I’m on a plane to Israel.”
Blake Geilen, center fielder for Team Israel, is a little superstitious. If he has a really good game one night, for example, he’ll probably eat the same lunch again before
Chasing baseball gold: Israeli team has big dreams for Tokyo
By DAVID BRANDTMay 14, 2021 GMT
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Danny Valencia ducked out of the scorching Arizona sun, reached into a cooler to grab an ice-cold drink and took a seat on the bench. The former Major League Baseball player savored the sweat dripping off his face onto the dugout floor, knowing he had found a second calling in the game of baseball.
Leading Team Israel to Olympic gold in Tokyo this summer.
“I wanted to play some meaningful baseball games,” Valencia said. “Before you knew it, I’m on a plane to Israel.”