First Base: Danny Valencia

Sep 24, 2021
11 mins

Episode Description

In this episode, join Chana Weinberg to learn about the life and career of MLB journey man Danny Valencia, and how being raised as a proud Jew by his mother led him to become the first baseman for the Israel national team that made it all the way to the Olympics.

This limited-run podcast will tell the story of how a small country the size of New Jersey which features no professional baseball league managed to produce a world-class team that beat a string of baseball Goliaths to secure a trip to Tokyo.

With unprecedented insider access to players, coaches, and managers, the show will tell the stories of the ragtag team of athletes -- some former Major Leaguers, some underdogs -- who managed to pull off one of the greatest upsets in modern sports history, touching on larger themes like faith, friendship, and nationhood.

This is a production of SoulShop in partnership with the Israel Association of Baseball.

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