The United States is home to some of the most talented and accomplished athletes in the world. In American football for example, you would hear of great athletes who have helped their teams score their best NFL results at one time or another Today, you'll learn about five Jewish athletes who excelled in the American professional sports leagues.
Sandy Koufax - The Los Angeles Dodgers
The baseball-great, Sandy Koufax played for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1955 until 1966. He was one of the most effective pitchers in the history of the Major League Baseball. He was an eight-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner. He also had the lowest ERA five times and the most strikeouts in the National League. He was only the second pitcher in the history of Major League Baseball to ever pitch a perfect game when he did so in 1965, going up against the Chicago Cubs. Due to an elbow injury, his career was cut short, yet he will always be remembered as one of the best pitchers ever.
Dara Torres - Coaching Chicago Bears
Former American swimmer, Dara Torres, won no less than twelve Olympic medals. She was the oldest swimmer to be selected for the American Olympic team at age 41 and the first swimmer to represent the United States in five Olympic Games - which is unique. Torres is also well-known for her time spent as an assistant coach for the Chicago Bears from 2011 to 2013. She guided the Bears to two NFC North Division wins and one Super Bowl participation during her time with the team.
Mark Spitz - The Greatest Olympic swimmer
Mark Spitz is considered everywhere as the greatest Olympic swimmer of all time. He won a total of nine gold medals at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, setting the world records in each event he competed in. His record for most gold medals won at a single Olympics stood for 36 years until it was broken by Michael Phelps at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In addition to his Olympic success, Spitz set 35 world records during his career and was named World Swimmer of the Year, four times. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1977 and is still remembered as one of the greatest swimmers ever to compete in the Olympic Games.
Hank Greenberg - Star of The Detroit Tigers
From 1930 to 1946, Hank Greenberg was a standout pitcher playing for the Detroit Tigers. He is regarded as one of the great sluggers of all-time, and was once among the most feared hitters in baseball. As far as his achievements are concerned, he won the American League MVP award twice, was a four-time All-Star, and led the league in home runs four times . He also has a number of records with the Tigers, such as the most career RBIs (1,276), total bases (1,031), and home runs (331). Greenberg is considered one of the best players to ever don a Detroit Tigers uniform, and became part of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1956.
Sid Luckman - Olympic Swimmer
Olympic swimmer Sid Luckman represented the United States in the Paris Games in 1924. He competed in the 400-meter freestyle event as well as the 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay, where he took home a bronze medal. He was born on August 16th, 1902 and died on April 28th, 1989. Throughout his career, he broke numerous swimming world records, including the 200-meter breaststroke and the 400-meter individual medley. Due to his success as an Olympic swimmer, he was honored in 1965 by being admitted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
These are some of the great athletes with Jewish ancestry who become stars in the USA.