JERUSALEM (AP) ” Israel is the big surprise of the World Baseball Classic, upsetting three teams, generating buzz and offering a mascot like no other: “The Mensch on the Bench.”
Back home, no one seems to notice.
Baseball has long been overlooked in Israel, seen as an arcane and boring game. This team consists almost entirely of American pros of Jewish descent. It has been derided as a group of mercenaries with little connection to the country.
Israel entered this showcase tournament ranked 41st in the world, the lowest ranked and last team to qualify. In quick succession, however, the Israelis beat third-ranked South Korea 2-1 in extra innings in the opening game before topping fourth-ranked Taiwan 15-7 and ninth-ranked the Netherlands 4-2 to finish first in Pool A with a 3-0 record.
Read more: Israel soars at World Baseball Classic, and a nation shrugs – Sport – NZ Herald News
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