Al Rosen

Al Rosen was a fearsome slugger and one of the few Jewish superstars in Major League Baseball history. Playing his entire ten-year career with the Cleveland Indians, Rosen was a four-time All-Star and the 1953 American League MVP, a year in which he narrowly missed winning the Triple Crown. A third baseman with exceptional power and competitive fire, Rosen led the league in home runs and RBIs multiple times and helped the Indians win the 1948 World Series.

As a Jewish player, Rosen was frequently the target of antisemitic remarks from opposing players and fans. He was known to directly confront bigots and challenge them to fights as they hurled abuse from opposing dugouts and grandstands. In 1953, Rosen joined Jackie Robinson on an interracial barnstorming tour across the country in the offseason, showcasing the power of desegregation in cities across the country. After retiring from playing, Rosen became a successful front office executive, known for his fairness, intellect, and competitive instincts. His advocacy for equality, grounded in both personal experience and principle, made him an important, if underappreciated, figure in baseball’s broader cultural evolution. Al Rosen’s story is one of pride, courage, and excellence in a time when standing up for oneself wasn’t always popular but was absolutely necessary.