Indiana's baseball history is full of stories of passion, grit, and perseverance. The state is renowned for its iconic baseball figures—Mordecai Brown, Gil Hodges, Kenny Lofton, and Don Mattingly. These players, celebrated in baseball's annals, are part of a unique and storied connection that Indiana has with the national pastime. However, the lesser-known yet equally impactful stories of Jewish immigrants and their children who left an indelible mark on the sport in Indiana, add a unique and intriguing dimension to this history.
One of the most intriguing stories lies in Fort Wayne, where, in 1871, the Kekiongas defeated Cleveland in what is widely considered the first professional baseball game. The site where this historic game was played is now home to a monument in Camp Allen Park, a proud reminder of Indiana's place in baseball history. But the tale of Fort Wayne's early baseball beginnings doesn't end there—Max Nirdlinger, the Kekiongas' first owner, played an integral role. Nirdlinger, one of the first Jewish students at the University of Notre Dame, was the son of Frederick Nirdlinger, a successful local businessman and the first president of Indiana's first Jewish congregation called Achduth Vesholom, established in 1848. A German-speaking immigrant, Max's journey to Fort Wayne followed his father's entrepreneurial spirit. Max's contributions to the game were in equipment and his leadership of the Kekiongas, who helped lay the foundation for professional baseball.
Like Max Nirdlinger, Louis Newberger was the Hoosier-born son of a German-speaking Jewish retailer, Jacob Newberger, who first came to Delaware County, Indiana, in the 1830s. Louis Newberger was a Jewish businessman and a legal expert who served briefly as the first owner of the Indianapolis Hoosiers baseball team in 1886; Louis relocated the team from St. Louis to Indianapolis, where the team soon was renamed “The Indianapolis Hoosiers” and elevated to prominence. His contributions extended beyond baseball as he co-led the Indianapolis Bar Association and became an influential community member.
Among the many Jewish names in Indiana's baseball history, one stands out for his brief yet significant role as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals: Louis Heilbroner from Fort Wayne. Despite his height—standing at only 4 feet 9 inches—Heilbroner made a significant impact, both as a manager in 1900 and as a business manager and president of the Central League in the following years. He also founded the first commercial statistical bureau in baseball, Heilbroner's Baseball Bureau Service, and pioneered the Baseball Blue Book, forever changing how the sport was analyzed and understood.
But the connection between Jews and baseball in Indiana isn't confined to players and owners—there's also a remarkable contribution from the world of music. Albert Von Tilzer, born Albert Gumbinsky in Indianapolis in 1878 in a home located next to where Shapiro’s Deli is located today, co-founded Tin Pan Alley with his brother Harry and wrote the timeless melody for "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," one of baseball's most iconic anthems. The song, a lighthearted celebration of the sport, was written by Von Tilzer and lyricist Jack Norworth, neither of whom had attended a baseball game before penning the tune. The song's enduring popularity, transcends generations and becomes a beloved anthem sung by fans in every stadium.
The connection between Jews and baseball in Indiana made significant strides in the early 1930s with the emergence of Hank Greenberg, famously known as the "Hebrew Hammer." During this period, he played for the Evansville Hubs, a team affiliated with the Detroit Tigers. Greenberg's time in Evansville, part of the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League, impacted baseball history. During his tenure with the Hubs, he achieved impressive statistics, including a .318 batting average and 15 home runs, just a glimpse of the greatness he would later reach with the Detroit Tigers. Additionally, Greenberg made history at Bosse Field by playing in the first recorded night game in minor league baseball, setting a precedent before the first Major League Baseball night game in 1935. Greenberg's achievements would inspire generations of Jewish ball players who would follow in his footsteps in minor league baseball across Indiana.
The formation of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) during World War II brought another pioneering Jewish athlete into the fold: Thelma "Tiby" Eisen. Eisen, one of the earliest female professional baseball players, played for the Fort Wayne Daisies. Her experience in the league, immortalized in the film A League of Their Own, was groundbreaking and inspiring. Eisen's story serves as a shining example of how Jewish athletes, like her, contributed significantly to the growth and diversification of the AAGPBL, even during times of war.
In the 1930s, Syd Pollock, a Jewish businessman from North Tarrytown, New York, became involved in one of baseball history's more unconventional and entertaining chapters. Pollock helped revitalize the Ethiopian Clowns, an African American baseball team that blended athletics with comedy and theatrical performances. His influence helped the team set attendance records across the country. Most notably, Pollock signed an unknown young player named Hank Aaron in 1952, thus launching the career of one of the greatest baseball players ever.
The legacy of Jewish Hoosiers doesn't end with the players and entrepreneurs. The Jewish community of Indiana has also helped build and sustain the game's infrastructure. Loeb Stadium in Lafayette, Indiana, is a prime example of Jewish philanthropy's impact on the sport. In 1940, Bert and June Loeb donated $50,000 to build the 3,500-seat stadium, which would become a central hub for local baseball events. The stadium was renamed Loeb Stadium in 1971, and to this day, it remains a vital part of the community, hosting high school tournaments and American Legion games.
The story of E.J. Block Athletic Field in East Chicago, built-in 1942. The Block family, owners of the Inland Steel Company, funded the stadium to enhance employee morale during the war. Over the years, the stadium hosted various baseball teams, including a short-lived professional team, and continues to serve as a home for local teams today.
In recent years, Jewish Americans' contributions to Indiana baseball have continued to make a significant impact. The construction of Bart Kaufman Field at Indiana University in 2013, named in honor of Jewish philanthropist Bart Kaufman, symbolizes how the sport continues to evolve. Kaufman, a former Indiana baseball student-athlete, donated significantly to the university's athletic programs, ensuring that future generations of players would have access to top-notch facilities. His support for the sport mirrors the deep-rooted connection between Indiana's Jewish community and baseball.
Finally, Andrew Berlin's purchase of the South Bend Silver Hawks (now the South Bend Cubs) in 2011 is another example of the Jewish community's ongoing impact on Indiana baseball. Berlin's purchase and subsequent team renaming solidified a long-standing relationship between the city of South Bend and the sport. Interestingly, the team's stadium is next to the historic Sons of Israel Synagogue built in 1901, which was recently renovated and repurposed into a gift shop for the Cubs, which might be the only historic Synagogue turned baseball giftshop in the world!
Indiana's Jewish community has been an essential part of baseball's history—both on and off the field. From early pioneers like Max Nirdlinger and Louis Heilbroner to legendary figures like Thelma Eisen and Albert Von Tilzer, Jewish Hoosiers have played a pivotal role in shaping the national pastime. Their stories reflect the determination, creativity, and community spirit that have made Indiana a central figure in baseball. As fans continue to cheer for their favorite teams, it's important to remember that behind every game and home run, countless untold stories of individuals helped make baseball the cherished game it is today, and that is a truly hidden gem of Indiana History.
