For all things that don't fit on TheRopolitans.com
For Branca, an Asterisk of a Different Kind
Great story about Ralph Branca - the man known for giving up the “Shot Heard ‘Round The World.” Turns out, he’s Jewish. His mother was Jewish, making him, according to Jewish law, a Jew. But he didn’t know until very recently; in fact, his autobiography comes out in September and he just added 2 sentences about learning he’s a member of the tribe.
Branca folded his bare arms and looked out onto the golf course. I asked if he had mentioned to anyone the reason for our lunch — the second revelation I had recently told him. He said he had told his wife, Ann.
“I said,” recalled Branca, “‘do you know you married a Jew?’”
