Part II starts now, baby. I know you've been waiting in rapt anticipation.
9. Maccabi Tel Aviv (Basketball)
Maccabi has been successful, nay, dominant, in recent history, winning 36 out of 54 Israeli league championships, including the last 7 straight. They have also won 5 Euroleague championships, including back to back championships in 2004 and 2005. Americans would remember them best for picking up UConn's Doron Sheffer after he flunked out of the NBA, and for Maccabi's brief addition of the 'Jewish Jordan', Tamir Goodman. So why 9, you say? It's Tel Aviv; these folks don't want to be on a Jewish franchises list. Tel Avivis want so badly to be European, most would reverse their circumcisions and eat a live pig to prove that they really belong in Belgium. So, 'Top', yes. Jewish, mmm, maybe.
8. Detroit Tigers
An American town with a big Jewish population, and the first great American Jewish sports superstar; together they converge to make Detroit Rock City numero ocho. Greenberg hit 58 homeruns in 1938 and had a career batting average over .300. He was the first Jewish player inducted into Cooperstown. And he had to consult a rabbi before he could decide to play on Rosh Hashanah. I also give big bonus points for star athletes who consult their rabbis.
7. Beitar Yerushalayim
They are named for a revolutionary group in 2nd c. Israel, and they make their home in the capitol of Israel. The fans sing 'Kol HaOlam Kulo Gesher Tzar Meod' as a fight song. And the stadium's nickname to opposing fans in Gehinnom, Hebrew for 'hell'. Their insignias include the Lion of Judah and the menorah. And of couse, you all know I love the inspiring underdog story of Toto Tammuz, .That should pretty much seal it up. But of course, they aren't such a great team. They have won a lot of domestic championships, but on the European scene, J"lem is still a little gefilte trying to swim with the big carp (did I just make up a metaphor?).
In addition, there is the far more troubling issue of racist behavior at their games. For too long, fans at Teddy Stadium have yelled awful things at opposing players and fans; it got so bad the Knesset had to step in and pass a law against it. I, myself, was at a game with Israeli friends, and when the crowd starting chanting something I didn't understand, I asked, 'What are they saying?' My local hosts informed me, 'You don't want to know.' Racism is most definately goyish, and it knocks Beitar out of the top 5 for sure.
More to come...
