Power-hitting outfielder Aaron Levin was the first player selected in the Israel Baseball League’s inaugural
draft. The Modi’in Miracles made Levin, 22, from Contra Costa Community College in California,
the first pick in the
draft, held Thursday night in New York City.
With the final pick of the draft the Miracles chose Sandy Koufax, the former Los Angeles Dodger left-hander and Hall
of Famer, who famously refused to pitch in a World Series game that
fell on Yom Kippur.
It’s unclear whether Koufax would actually suit up for the Miracles.
“His selection is a tribute to the esteem with which he is held by
everyone associated with this league,” the team’s manager, former big
leaguer Art Shamsky, told The Associated Press. “It’s been 41 years
between starts for him. If he’s rested and ready to take the mound
again, we want him on our team.”
The IBL will play a 42-game schedule starting June 24. Players from
around the world were drafted, but roughly half the league will be made
up of Jews, league founders said.
