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Jews in Baseball Celebrated in Autographed Artwork

By Justin Breen | October 21, 2014 5:17am
 River North-based JewishBaseballPlayer.com sells original artwork, and now prints, featuring Jewish baseball players and their autographs.
Jewish baseball player art
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RIVER NORTH — Fans of Jewish baseball players now have another avenue to purchase a rare piece of artwork honoring some of the game's greatest Jewish stars.

Centerpieced by legendary lefty Sandy Koufax, the original artwork from River North-based JewishBaseballPlayer.com featuring 26 former and current Jewish ballplayers — and their autographs — debuted in April 2013.

Of the 500 produced, about 20 percent have sold — for at least $6,500 each — Jewishbaseballplayer.com president Greg Harris said. Last week, Harris introduced a less expensive alternative — framed, full-size reprints, which sell for $600. For another $650, customers can send a photo of themselves to artist Ron Lewis, who will paint it onto the print.

 River North-based JewishBaseballPlayer.com sells original artwork, and now prints, featuring Jewish baseball players and their autographs.
River North-based JewishBaseballPlayer.com sells original artwork, and now prints, featuring Jewish baseball players and their autographs.
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Greg Harris

"The theme is to celebrate the Jewish role in baseball, not only as players, but also as executives, owners and fans," Harris said. "It is also a way for Jewish people to be proud of their heritage, and it provides role models for younger kids to look up to."

Justin Breen explains why the artwork is important to some people:

"Because the originals are so limited, they sell for $6,500 and up," added Harris, an IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law graduate. "We realize that those are for an elite audience and have been constantly asked if there is a less expensive version available."

Of the 26 players in the artwork, several played for the Cubs (Scott Feldman, Jason Marquis, John Grabow, Adam Greenberg), White Sox (Kevin Youkilis, Joel Horlen, Ross Baumgarten) or both (Steve Stone). The artwork also includes MLB executives, including commissioner Bud Selig, Sox boss Jerry Reinsdorf and Cubs President Theo Epstein.

Harris said through the sale of the artwork and fundraising events featuring the players, more than $120,000 has been donated to various charities and organizations nationwide, including locally to Cubs Care, Wolcott School Chicago and the Fergie Jenkins Foundation.

Lewis called the project "one of the most unique" he's ever done.

"I was ... sure it would be a highly sought-after piece," said Lewis, who also has produced paintings showcasing Nolan Ryan, members of the 3,000-hit club and 500-home run club. "Now ... I can see it is even more desirable than I anticipated."

Harris said the ultimate compliment came from Koufax.

"To be told by Sandy Koufax, my childhood idol, that this is an incredible piece, that is truly an accomplishment," Harris said. "I think the most incredible part of the project has been the unbelievable positive feedback I have received from everyone, including the players. I obviously met with all the players during their signing of all the pieces, and to see their reaction when they see the artwork in person was priceless."

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