There has been a long line of Jewish baseball stars, from Hall of Famers Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax to All-Stars Ian Kinsler and Ryan Braun. But the distinction of being the first Israeli citizen ever selected in the Major League Baseball draft belongs to UNLV pitcher Dean Kremer.
"Anytime you can be the first to do something is pretty cool, especially representing my country," said Kremer, who was born and raised in Stockton, California, but has a dual American and Israeli citizenship because his parents are from Israel. "I was born here in the United States, but I go back and practically live (in Israel) for two months out of the year in the summer, so it's definitely home.