….or owners of MLB franchises. On the eve of Passover, the New York Post’s Mike Puma explores Davis’ Judaism, making certain not to ask Steve Lyons for a comment.
Last month, while in Manhattan to accept the Thurman Munson award, Davis spoke to a group of children at a synagogue. He also been asked to speak in synagogues back home in Scottsdale.“They want to talk, how is it being looked up to by Jewish kids, showing that we just don’t have to be doctors and lawyers and stuff like that,” Ike said. “You can follow your dreams and be an athlete and do whatever you want to do. You don’t have to just be smart or whatever. It’s pretty cool that they’ll back you just because of that.”
When Ike arrived with the Mets, he was asked by Fred Wilpon, who is Jewish, if he wanted to observe the religious holidays of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah by not playing on those days. Davis considered observance, but ultimately decided he would play those days.“I said it’s a personal choice and I couldn’t tell him if it’s right or wrong,” Wilpon said. “I offered to put him in touch with Sandy Koufax and he could talk to him about why he made his choice [not to pitch Game 1 of the 1965 World Series]. Ike said he was fine and he didn’t need to do that.”