First Base: Danny Valencia

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.