The New Hebrew Hammer

(all stats courtesy of the best site in the world - wikipedia)

OK. I know we started this as primarily a Mets blog but I have to write about my man crush. That is right people, I have a crush on Ryan Braun. Many girls in NYC have a crush on David Wright, and don't get me wrong, David is a special player, but there is just something about Ryan.

Let me take you through this season as I am sure some of you aren't too familiar with Ryan.

The Brewers brought Braun to spring training this season. Their regular third baseman Corey Koskie, suffering from post concussion syndrome, missed all of spring training. While the Breweres intended to platoon Craig Counsell and Tony Graffanino to start the season, they also gave Braun an extensive look.

In his first spring training game, Braun went 4-5 with a grand slam, a 3-run home run, a double, a single, and a stolen base, along with 7 RBIs; a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. The Brewers realized what they had but his defense was very raw so they sent him back down after 11 spectacular offensive games.

After little production from the hot corner, the Brew-Crew finally promoted Ryan and He made his MLB debut on May 24. He hit his first homer the next day and he was off to the races.

As of August 14th, after 71 games, Braun leads the National League in batting average (.354), and led the Major Leagues in slugging percentage (.684), among hitters with at least 300 plate appearances. The all-time slugging percentage leaders for a full season at age 23 are Willie Mays and Albert Pujols at .667, and the rookie record is .621.

In addition, against lefties he had the best batting average (.462), obp (.527), and slugging percentage (1.013) of all major league hitters with at least 75 plate appearances against them.

He was also leading the Brewers in batting average, slugging percentage, and obp (.396), tied for 1st in triples (5), 2nd in home runs (23), and 3rd in RBIs (60) and steals (10) -- despite not having played in 48 games in the first half of the season.

OK, so Braun is obviously amazing...but where does my crush come from you ask?

Well, ya see, Ryan Braun is Jewish. "It's something that draws a lot of interest and something I take pride in," Braun said. His father, Joe, is Israeli-born. Interestingly, "Braun" was the family name of Sandy Koufax, until his mother remarried and he took his step-father's name. "There's no (family) connection that I know of," Ryan Braun said, "but it's kind of cool. Lastly, Braun's grandfather has been living for over 40 years in a home that previously belonged to the greatest Jewish hitter ever, Hank Greenberg.

The question may one day become, is Braun the greatest Jewish hitter in history?

Move over Shawn, there is a new Kosher Kid in the league.