Pitcher Eric Berger has seen the world through his clubhouse mates.
His teams this season, the Double-A Akron Aeros and Triple-A Columbus Clippers in the Cleveland Indians system, contained players from more than 20 states and 10 countries and protectorates.
There were Venezuelans, Dominicans, Panamanians, Cubans, Taiwanese, Japanese and Canadians. Texans played alongside Alaskans, Kansans with Arizonans.
Eight days ago, the former Arizona Wildcats left-hander entered his locker room in Florida and looked around.
His teammates were wearing blue baseball caps with Stars of David on them.
“To walk in and having the locker room be all Jewish guys, it was interesting,” he said. “A first for me. It was pretty cool.”
Three days later, Berger started — and won — Israel’s first-ever serious baseball game.
How many guys can say that?
Read more in Monday's Arizona Daily Star.
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