Jacob Gurvis
banner
jacobgurvis.bsky.social
Jacob Gurvis
@jacobgurvis.bsky.social
⚾️ Content Producer, MLB | ✍️ I write @JTA.org's Jewish Sport Report newsletter
“Many people think he’s going to be the greatest Israeli player of all time.”

Israeli fans are loving Deni Avdija’s breakout season in the NBA — even if they’re not all that surprised.

My latest for @jta.org:
From 5 a.m. tipoffs to bar mitzvah trips, Israelis are reveling in Deni Avdija’s breakout season - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
"Many people think he's going to be the greatest Israeli player of all time,” said one basketball writer.
www.jta.org
April 11, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Ron Washington said Yoán Moncada “passed all the tests and checked all the boxes,” and is ready to go for #Angels Opening Day. He takes the club's final roster spot.
March 26, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Here's more on the Lopez signing and where he's expected to play for the Angels (hint: everywhere)
March 26, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Last night, Ryan Johnson struck out Shohei Ohtani in his first start in an MLB park. Today, he found out he made the Angels' roster. He has 0 games of experience in pro baseball.

"It’s just unreal, not at all how I pictured it."
No Minors needed: Johnson makes Halos' Opening Day roster
This time last year, Ryan Johnson was a junior at Dallas Baptist University with scant college experience. On Tuesday, he officially became a Major Leaguer. The Angels announced that Johnson, a 22-yea...
www.mlb.com
March 26, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Lots of news out of #Angels camp today...

- Signed Nicky Lopez
- Released Mickey Moniak
- Ryan Johnson, Tim Anderson, Kyren Paris and Rule 5 pick Garrett McDaniels all made the team
- Angel Perdomo & José Quijada DFA'd
- 1 spot remains, pending decision on Yoán Moncada
March 26, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Mike Trout on his move to right field, where he made a couple nice plays tonight: "It's good to get some reps out there, some balls that you're not used to seeing... It's all about reps, just being out there. Just get comfortable. I like it." #Angels
March 25, 2025 at 4:21 AM
The #Angels drafted Ryan Johnson last year, via the comp pick from Shohei Ohtani leaving. Tonight, Johnson struck Ohtani out to lead off his first-ever start in an MLB park. Was he aware of their connection?

"No, I'm not focused or worried about any of that stuff. It just doesn't matter to me."

🔥🔥
March 25, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Jack Kochanowicz officially won the fifth starter spot for the Angels, beating Reid Detmers, who will join the bullpen. Kochanowicz called it "a dream come true."

My story for MLB dot com:
Angels' final rotation spot goes to ...
ANAHEIM -- Right-hander Jack Kochanowicz will begin the season as the Angels’ fifth starter, manager Ron Washington announced Monday, with lefty Reid Detmers moving to the bullpen. Washington said he ...
www.mlb.com
March 25, 2025 at 2:30 AM
The Angels acquired righty Ian Anderson from the Braves today. Anderson, who is making his way back from Tommy John surgery, will join the Halos' bullpen, manager Ron Washington said.

My (first!) story for MLB dot com:
Angels acquire righty Anderson from Braves for Suarez
LOS ANGELES -- The Angels and Braves exchanged pitchers on Sunday, with Atlanta sending right-hander Ian Anderson to the Angels for left-hander José Suarez. Anderson, who underwent Tommy John surgery ...
www.mlb.com
March 24, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Some baseball news as Spring Training begins ⚾️🚨

Today was my first day at MLB, where I'll be a content producer this season, contributing to the league's game coverage, newsletters and more.

My job is officially baseball and I couldn't be more thrilled!
February 11, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Looking for a fun gift idea for the Jewish sports fan in your life? This baseball card collection is only… $500,000-$700,000!
Sotheby’s to auction ‘the most complete Jewish baseball card collection in the world’ - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
The collection, estimated to sell for more than $500,000, only starts with Sandy Koufax.
www.jta.org
January 17, 2025 at 2:21 AM
From Jessica Fox's golden Olympics to Sam Salz's historic college football debut, 2024 was a banner year for Jews in sports.

Here's my recap of the top 10 Jewish sports moments of 2024:
The top 10 Jewish sports moments of 2024, from Jessica Fox’s Olympic dominance to Sam Salz’s historic college football debut - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Jewish athletes made history in baseball, hockey, wrestling and soccer this year.
www.jta.org
December 23, 2024 at 4:39 PM
Reposted by Jacob Gurvis
Bazini, who held an Israeli flag after the win, plans to pursue professional soccer.
Meet Yaniv Bazini, the Israeli forward who propelled U of Vermont to its first soccer championship - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Bazini, who held an Israeli flag after the win, plans to pursue professional soccer.
www.jta.org
December 17, 2024 at 2:50 PM
The University of Vermont is playing in its first-ever NCAA soccer championship tonight, led by Israeli star Yaniv Bazini. Here's his story:
Meet Yaniv Bazini, the Israeli college soccer star who could lead UVM to a national title - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Bazini plans to pursue professional soccer after Monday’s NCAA championship game.
www.jta.org
December 16, 2024 at 10:58 PM
Ian Kinsler picks up his first Hall of Fame vote, becoming the first Jewish player to receive votes since Shawn Green in 2013.
Happy 25th Anniversary to my @BaseballHall ballot. Almost all my time now is spent picking & restoring vintage cast iron cookware for my Cast Iron Country business at castironcountry.etsy.com. #Baseball & #CastIron are equal parts Americana to me so let's keep both great traditions going. 🇺🇸⚾🍳 #hof
December 14, 2024 at 9:28 PM
Max Fried's 8-year, $218 million deal with the Yankees is by far the largest contract in Jewish baseball history
Jewish ace Max Fried signs record-breaking contract with the New York Yankees - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Fried’s eight-year, $218 million deal is the largest contract in baseball history both for a Jewish player and for a left-handed pitcher.
www.jta.org
December 10, 2024 at 11:36 PM
EXCLUSIVE: BYU's star Jewish quarterback Jake Retzlaff has scored a sponsorship deal with iconic Jewish food brand Manischewitz.

Details: www.jta.org/2024/12/04/s...
BYU’s star Jewish quarterback Jake Retzlaff scores sponsorship deal with Manischewitz - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Retzlaff, who goes by the moniker “BY-Jew,” is the first athlete to reach a deal with the iconic Jewish food brand.
www.jta.org
December 4, 2024 at 7:16 PM
Reposted by Jacob Gurvis
A while ago, I made reference to filing the most Jewish thing I've ever written. This is that piece. sabr.org/journal/arti...
December 4, 2024 at 12:21 AM
The Other Place: Sorry, that account called "KKK" that talks about securing "a future for White Children" in its bio does *not* violate our rules.

Meanwhile, on Bluesky: Is an audiobook a book?
November 26, 2024 at 11:03 PM
Dustin Pedroia won't make it into the Hall of Fame, and that's a real bummer.

From 2007 to 2017, Pedroia ranked Top 10 in MLB in: WAR (46.3), average (.302), runs (915), hits (1,785), and doubles (390), was a 4x All-Star, and won ROY, MVP, 4 Gold Gloves, and a Silver Slugger.

Injuries suck.
November 18, 2024 at 10:48 PM