From Israel to Tokyo and Everywhere In-between: Ben Wanger
The story of how a power-hitting pitcher became an All-American, and helped Israel qualify for their first Israeli team sport appearance in the Olympics since 1976.
I have always been surrounded by sports. My mom and dad were both college athletes and saw the value of athletics. Growing up, I would always compete (and usually lose) against my older brother. We would make games out of everything and there would always be balls around the house. My dad would coach all our sports teams when we were younger which really planted the seed that I would follow for years. To this day I still play catch with both my parents when I’m at home.
If I had to point to one moment that has defined my career, it would be as a 12 year old playing in the district round of the Williamsport LLWS. It had been an early dream of mine to go to the Little League World Series and our team was playing an elimination game early in the tournament. I came up to bat in the last inning and ended up striking out with the bases loaded. In frustration, I threw my helmet in the dugout causing my dad, who was our head coach, to come over and reprimand me. I turned around just in time to see my teammate, the next batter, hit a walk-off grand slam. I felt terribly that I had not only played badly but had also distracted from my team’s success. This experience really helped define my team mindset moving forward in life.
I’ve had some of the most amazing experiences playing for three different universities during college. After four years at Yale, I decided I wanted to see another part of the country (and get out of the cold North East). I’ve been lucky to be able to dive into three entirely different city cultures among New Haven, Los Angeles and now Miami.
As a frequent transfer, I’ve learned how to adapt to new coaches and teammates. Each team has its own cultures and tendencies, so I’ve been able to adjust to the new situation at each school well. In the process I’ve also been able to meet and become good friends with really interesting people all across the country.
Unfortunately, I’ve had more than my fair share of injuries throughout my college career. Most notably, in the fourth game of my senior year at Yale, I tore my hamstring which required season ending surgery. That year was shaping up to be a run towards an Ivy League Championship 3 peat.
Having to watch our team struggle through that season, especially late in the game where I would usually pitch was really difficult. It was like getting punched in the gut every time we would lose a close game.
Q: Tell us about your experience playing for Team Israel and making the Olympics. How did it come about? What was your journey like? How did it feel to know you'd qualified for Tokyo? What emotions do you have going into the Olympics?
To be on a team entirely made up of Jews was such a unique experience for me. I had become used to being one of few, if not the only Jew on just about every team I have ever played on.
My journey with Team Israel started when our head coach Eric Holtz, saw me play during my Junior year at Yale. I committed to join the team for the Olympic Qualifiers the summer after my Senior year. Unfortunately, things took a turn when I injured my hamstring in the fourth game of my Senior season which required season ending surgery. I watched from afar as Team Israel won the first two of four tournaments on the road to qualifying. Six months out from surgery and after I had decided to attend USC as a graduate transfer, I decided to join the team.
Coincidentally, I actually left USC for Israel on the second day of school (I would take zoom classes at 4 am for the next 5 weeks). I spent 10 days in Israel becoming a dual citizen alongside several former MLB players and after we joined up with the team in Germany for the next tournament.
After finishing fourth in Germany, we advanced with the top five teams to the final Olympic Qualifier in Italy. In an amazing streak, we defeated all three teams that had finished ahead of us in Germany and finally clinched a spot in Tokyo with a win against South Africa. We are the first Israeli team sport to qualify for the Games since 1976 in soccer.
When we qualified, it was a surreal feeling to be going to the actual, real life Olympics. I think about all the incredible athletes that have competed in the Olympics throughout history and it is unbelievable to think that I will be competing in the same Games. It is truly the pinnacle of sports and I couldn’t be more excited to be going alongside a great team.
Being a Jewish player in an overwhelmingly Christian dominant sport is interesting. I never really noticed my Jewish identity as a baseball player until I arrived at Yale. As a freshman, my “Jewishness” just seemed to come up a lot which I was not very used to while growing up. This never really bothered me, but it did make me feel a little different at times. The one stereotype I have made a conscious effort to reject was Jewish cheapness. I would always make sure to pay someone back as soon as I could, tip generously, and not complain about money at all.
Because of my heritage, I have a great amount of pride in being a Jewish athlete. As part of a people that have, time and time again, been discriminated against, it’s an honor to represent the Jewish state of Israel.
My grandmother is a Holocaust survivor, and she was extremely nervous when I went to Germany for the Olympic Qualifiers. Even though everyone we met in Germany was really friendly, one couldn’t help but think about some of the atrocities that occurred against Jews not more than a century ago. Team Israel actually defeated Team Germany in a close, extra inning game during the tournament, and as the first baseman, I caught the final out. I brought the last out baseball back home from Germany and gave it to my grandmother who now has it framed in her room. It’s moments like these that transcend sports and are really special.
The most important advice I could give to younger athletes is to have fun and learn from failure. The most important lessons usually come on the heels of defeat. Even though losing might sting, it’s important to keep your eyes open and learn from everything.
