Ron Blomberg

On the one hand, Ron Blomberg recalls experiencing the sting of anti-Semitism when he was shunned by some teammates as well as by many fans during his long and illustrious baseball career. On the other hand, the man in Yankee pinstripes was invited to light candles at countless bar mitzvahs, had a sandwich named after him at New York’s famous Stage Deli, and was twice voted the most popular person in New York – beating out the likes of the legendary Jets quarterback Joe Namath.

Blomberg’s story is a fascinating one – and he will tell all about it when he speaks at Temple Sinai in Newington on Sunday, April 6 at noon.

For Ron “Boomer” Blomberg the date April 6 has significant meaning. It’s the day he became the first designated hitter in Major League Baseball, having picked up the bat as a designated hitter for the New York Yankees on April 6, 1973 in a game against the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park.

Blomberg began his major league career in 1969, playing for the Yankees for several years before becoming a free agent and finishing his career with the Chicago White Sox in 1978. He was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. He managed the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox to the championship of the Israel Baseball League in the league’s inaugural season in 2007.

Ron Blomberg will speak at Temple Sinai, 41 West Hartford Road, Newington, on Sunday, April 6.Tickets: $10/adults, $5/children under 13. Memorabilia will be available for purchase. Light refreshments will be served. For reservations contact Rob Dulitsky at rdulitsky@hotmail.com.