Inductees - Hall of Fame Induction Gala - Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation

This Year's Inductees

Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation 27th Anniversary Hall of Fame Induction Gala Hall of Fame Class of 2011

Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom is an internationally renowned and best-selling author, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster and musician. His books have collectively sold over 28 million copies worldwide; have been published in forty-one territories and in forty-two languages around the world; and have been made into Emmy Award-winning and critically acclaimed television movies. Albom has founded four charities, many in the metropolitan Detroit area: The Dream Fund, A Time To Help, and S.A.Y Detroit, an umbrella organization for charities dedicated to improving the lives of the neediest, including the S.A.Y. Detroit Family Health Clinic. He also raises money for literacy projects through a variety of means including his performances with The Rock Bottom Remainders, a band made up of writers that includes Stephen King, Dave Barry, Scott Turow, Amy Tan and Ridley Pearson. Albom serves on the boards of various charities and, in 1999, was named National Hospice Organization's Man of the Year. In 2010, the Associated Press Sports Editors named Albom the recipient of the Red Smith Award for lifetime achievement.

Irving "Pro" Boim

Irving "Pro" Boim got the nickname "Pro" at five-years old, because he did spot-on imitations of pro baseball greats; the nickname stuck for life. He was a high school phenom who, upon recommendation, attended U of M., ultimately pitching on the University of Michigan baseball team that won the 1942 Big Ten Baseball Championship. He was known for having a great curve and live fastball. In 1942, he had a 1.40 ERA when he enlisted in the Navy. Pro's greatest baseball moment may have been in 1944 during WWII when he pitched for Pensacola Naval Air Station against Bronson Marine Air Base. Ted Williams was on the Bronson team, and Pro faced him 4 times, striking him out twice in a row. In 1946, after college, Pro enjoyed a 9-year career in the Minor Leagues with Pittsburgh, the Chicago White Sox, and Cincinnati where he played with or against 56 Big Leaguers. He was the winning pitcher in a Minor League All-Star game in 1948. He also played some for the House of David traveling baseball team. Had he not spent 3 years in the war in his prime, he probably would have been in the Majors. Pro's greatest achievement was inspiring thousands of kids whom he taught in baseball camps and as an elementary P.E. teacher for 44 years.

Bruce Seid

In 1978-1980, Bruce was lead hitter and batting champion at Oak Park High School. From 1977-1980, he was All-County (4 years), All-Conference (4 years), All-State 1st team (3 years), 500+ batting average, including 40+ doubles, 14+ home runs, and struck out only 7 times in high school career/0 in senior year. Lettered in Varsity Basketball in 1978 & 1979; Collegiate Baseball Magazine's High School American 3rd Team. 1980 - MLB 4th Round Draft Choice by Chicago Cubs; Minor League GCL All-Star Game Selection - team leader in batting (.307). 1991-1992 Manager of Coral Springs National Baseball Team, winning 3rd place in Big League World Series. From 1993-2008, served as MLB Scout for San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Milwaukee Brewers, Scouting Supervisor (Cross Checker) for Western Region from 2006-2008. Since 2008, Bruce has been the Director of Amateur Scouting for the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Organization.

Rick Seid

1971 Oak Park High School - Baseball: All Conference, All-County - catcher, northwest baseball champs, captain. Basketball: of the "Golden Guards" basketball team, shared with Larry Sherman. Captain and second-leading scorer; team ranked 10th in state. 1971 Baseball: All-Conference, All-County, All State - catcher; drafted by Boston Red Sox, declined offer and went to U of M on a full scholarship. 1971 Basketball: All Conference leading scorer and captain. Team went to state quarterfinals. 1968-1972 Summer Baseball - played catcher in the Detroit Adray nationally recognized top amateur baseball league in the country. 1972 college baseball: lettered in freshman year at U of M; played on the runner-up National Championship Team from Detroit (Adray League). Transferred to MSU sophomore year on full scholarship. 1974-1976 starting catcher at MSU. 1974 National Baseball Championship Amateur team from Detroit (Larcos Inn). 1975-76 All-Big 10 selection. 1976 Professional Baseball Gulf State League - batting average .356; Topps Minor League player of the month; 1977 Professional Baseball Lone Star League - home run leader, batting average.309, League champions runner-up. 1978 Professional Baseball Northwest League - champions batting average .272.

Henry "Hank" Wineman

Elected into the Albion Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 for his prowess on the football field. 1990-1991: Team MVP; All League MIAA. 1991: League MVP; First Team Kodak All American; and NCAA Division III Statistical Champion/Rushing. Albion College Individual (2007) and Team (1989-1991) Hall of Fame Inductee. Holds Albion records in most consecutive 100-yard rushing games (18); most rushing attempts in a season (307); most yards rushing in a season (1,629 in 9 games) and in a career (583). MIAA All-Conference first team in 1990 and 1991. MIAA Most Valuable Player in 1991 and a first-team selection on the American Football Coaches Association All-America Team in 1991. Star at Berkley High School, helping it earn its first Southeastern Michigan Association championship in 20 years. A 1988 graduate, excelling in football, earning Team Co-MVP, First Team All League, First Team All Oakland County and First Team All Area honors.

Alvin Foon Humanitarian Award

Richard Bernstein

Richard Bernstein has been blind from birth and has spent his adult life fighting for the rights of the disabled. He works as a trial attorney, who represents victims of personal injury or disability discrimination; approximately 50% of his work is pro bono. Richard is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Michigan and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Northwestern University School of Law. Bernstein created and hosts the CBS-Detroit television segment called "Making a Difference," which highlights exemplary community service programs. In addition, he is a contributing editorial columnist to the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press. He has been honored as a "Michiganian of the Year" by the Detroit News, one of Crain's Detroit Business' "40 Under 40" and has won a myriad of awards (too numerous to mention). Bernstein is a member of the Wayne State University Board and President Search Committee. Richard is an avid runner (he's run the New York City Marathon numerous times) and an Ironman triathlete who was inducted into the Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame in 1999 and who received the Courage Award from the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. His community service includes work on the Michigan Paralyzed Veterans Advisory Board, the Tech Town board and other boards and advisory committees for agencies including the Michigan Anti-Defamation League, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Michigan Chapter; Michigan Association for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing; Michigan Community Scholars Program at U of M, the United Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and the Max M. Fisher Foundation.

Special Recognition - Jewish War Veterans

Joseph Bale Post #474

New this year. A special plaque that will hang in the Hall of Fame, to honor and celebrate the contributions to athletics by those who were lost or maimed in war and never had a chance to fulfill their athletic dreams. Some members of the Post include: Dan Arnold, Seymour Brode, Al Colman, Maury Hozman, Jerry Manchel, Mynie Milgrom, Milton Ring, David Sakwa, S. Lawrence Stein, and Post Commander, Willie Stone.

Joseph Louis "Little Joe" Bale was born in Detroit in January 1924. He had a brother by the same name, known as "Big Joe." The brothers were known for their athletic abilities, appearing regularly in the headlines about the all City and championship teams in baseball and basketball. They were inseparable and attended Michigan State College together, until World War II began and separated them.

"Little Joe" joined the Army and went to France assigned to Combat Intelligence. He was wounded three times, but always returned to service. On January 30, 1945, right after his 21st birthday, he was mortally wounded while heroically destroying enemy tanks with his bazooka. For this heroism, "Little Joe" was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously. Joseph Bale's Distinguished Service Cross Citation reads: "For extraordinary heroism in action on 30 Jan 1945 near Wihr-en-Plaine, France when his battalion was attacked and halted by enemy tanks, which rolled over the assault riflemen and killed others. With 88mm machine gun fire and rifle grenade fire, Pfc. Bale fearlessly attacked with his rocket launcher, ignoring shells exploding five yards away and machine gun bullets which raked the position, he knocked out an enemy tank, forcing the Germans to withdraw. Later the same morning when his Bn. Op. was attacked by another tank at 100 yards, he braved shell fired in a single-handed attempt to destroy it, but was mortally wounded."

The Pfc. Joseph L. Bale Post #474 of the Jewish War Veterans was dedicated in "Little Joe's" memory. It eventually grew to become the largest post in the Department of Michigan. His brother, "Big Joe" served as Post Commander, as well as Department of Michigan Commander.

Jewish News High School Athletes of the Year
Bill Hertz Memorial Scholarship Award

In addition to the Class of 2011 Hall of Fame, Alvin Foon and Bale Post honorees, the MJSF will also honor Stephen Slobin and Elizabeth Gelb, 2011 Jewish News Male and Female High School Athletes of the Year, and Ari Cicurel Bill Hertz Memorial Scholarship Winner. Elizabeth, a swimmer, graduated from Ann Arbor Huron High School and is attending Princeton University. Stephen graduated from Farmington Harrison High School and is attending Sienna Heights University on a football scholarship. Ari, lacrosse goaltender, graduated from Bloomfield Hills Andover High School and is attending the University of Michigan.