Meet the Coach: David Friedman, Modiin Miracles Premier League
Name: David Friedman
Profession: Retired college dean and lecturer/instructor in History. I currently work with two Israeli-Arab reconciliation initiatives, and am a part-time Cincinnati Reds scout.
Team you coach: Modi’in Miracles Premier Leagueout.
Years as a coach: 22 – 15 in the IAB; 1 in the NCAA; 5 in American high school baseball
Your first baseball experience: In 1959, watching the Duluth Dukes play as a 6-year old (the then AA minor league team of the Detroit Tigers).
You’re a fan of: The Northwestern College Eagles, where I coached.
The player you most admire and why: (a tie) – Wilmer Mizell (Cards and Pirates pitcher, 1950s); Kirby Puckett (Twins OFer). Both of them gave their all to be the best that they could, both in baseball, and as human beings. They were amazing role models for young men. Their charitable actions towards less fortunate persons could fill a book.
Your most memorable baseball moment as a coach: Coaching against Kenny Phelps (former Seattle Mariners’ slugger) in high school in our league title game (Phoenix, Arizona, 1999) and we lost in the 9th inning. Also, being honored by the high school I coached at, at the same ceremony where my son was named Junior Athlete of the Year in 1999.
If you weren’t coaching baseball, you’d be… Spending more time following and bemoaning the fate of my favorite American football team, the Minnesota Vikings.
Your top coaching tip: #1 was given to me by an 8-year old player many years ago: “Coach, if I can’t do it with the bat tonight, I can do it with the glove”. #2: Hitters, learn to think along with pitchers, and you will improve greatly.
Your coaching mantra: Play with great fundamentals, and have some fun while you’re at it!
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