In most ways, Cincinnati Reds assistant pitching coach Aron Reichman is like every other player and coach on the National League Central team. During the game, all players wear white pants and shirts with the word “Reds” written inside a large “C” and red baseball caps with the same letter “C.” And everyone is focused on the game.
It’s not clear that the 34-year-old is the only native-born Israeli in the major leagues (although the league as a whole), as Reichman sits on the dugout bench and takes copious notes on pitchers’ form and pitches. Although there are other Israeli nationals in the MLB who are not native-born, such as Baltimore Orioles pitcher and fellow Team Israel member Dean Kremer).
Reichmann’s heart is not only about the match, but also about the situation in his homeland of Israel. Usually quiet and humble, Reichmann was not afraid to stand up for his country during this difficult time. Reichmann practices pitching wearing a “Bring Them Home” T-shirt and black gloves with the Israeli flag and the words “Bring Them Home” sewn in capital white letters and the words “NOW!” There are many photos. In even bigger red letters.
Reichmann grew up playing baseball, a somewhat surprising fact for Sabra. He was raised at Kibbutz Gezer near Latrun, on the way from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Although his New York-born father and Michigan-born mother, whom he met in Israel after making aliyah in his 20s, were not particularly big baseball fans, the kibbutz had an affinity for American baseball.
“The kibbutz was founded by Americans and they wanted to bring American culture to Israel, so all the kids on the kibbutz play baseball, and I just happened to really like it,” he said, playing shortstop on his first team at the age of six. exclaimed Reichman, who began playing as a double pitcher. Reichmann custom designed gloves. (Credit: Aron Leachman/Provided)
Peter Kurz, former president of the Israel Baseball Association and current general manager of Team Israel, has known Reichman for more than 20 years.
“I took Aron on his first trip to the Netherlands with the Israeli national team in 1999 when he was 10 years old. And it was my first too. I was the youngest on the team at 12 years old.”
Reichman graduated from Brenner Regional School in 2007 and served in the Israel Defense Forces as an “outstanding athlete.”
He attended junior college at Cypress University in Cypress, California, where he pitched on the baseball team from 2010 to 2013.
“My parents encouraged me to go to college in America to play baseball. I knew baseball was what I always wanted to do.”
While with Cypress, Reichman required Tommy John surgery for a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. He then attended the University of California, San Diego, where he was a pitcher and graduated with a degree in history. Reichman always thought he would continue playing baseball, coaching or scouting.
The likeable Israeli maintains what he calls a “good relationship” with his junior college coach, Scott Pickler, who always told him, “You’re going to be a good coach someday.” That’s what he said.
Reichman then had the opportunity to coach in the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he helped Yarmouth win the 2016 championship against the Dennis Red Sox.
“I was helping out as a pitching coach, and the pitchers were doing really well. It gave me a platform to work in. People know each other in the baseball world, and that helps other It continued to lead to opportunities.”
In 2017, Reichman began a six-year career with the Seattle Mariners in various roles. In 2022, he served as the pitching coach for the Pacific Coast League’s AAA Tacoma Rainiers.
Reichman always emphasizes how gradual the progression from playing in college to coaching at the various levels of professional baseball is. In December 2022, Reichman was named assistant pitching coach for the Cincinnati Reds.
“It’s been a dream come true to coach here,” Reichman said of Cincinnati. “Every step prepares you for the next step.” In his current role, he charts each game from the dugout.
“I make sure the players are on track and help make adjustments if needed. If I see them out, I talk to them.”
Mr. Kurtz is proud of Reichmann
“No one was more excited to watch his meteoric rise as a minor league and MLB baseball coach. He will one day be an MLB manager. His determination, grit and excellence. His rise to the top, his ability to reach out to everyone at every level, and his perseverance always set him apart.”
Throughout Reichman’s impressive baseball career in the United States, he has always maintained strong ties to Team Israel and his home country of Israel. After college, he proudly coached juniors from the age of 12 to 18 in Israel.
“I’ve always loved coaching and thought I’d do it after I finished playing.”
Over the course of almost 20 years, Mr. Kurtz has overcome countless milestones.
“I have been involved with Aron on countless national teams, IBL, WBC and Olympic teams.”
Reichmann represented Israel in the qualifying rounds of the European Baseball Championship in 2010, 2012, and 2016.
Reichman was on the Israeli team for the 2013 World Baseball Classic, but did not play. He then served as the bullpen coach for the Israeli national team at the 2017 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers and World Baseball Classic.
Reichmann competed for a spot in the 2020 Olympics as part of the Israeli national team. At the 2020 Summer Olympics, to be held in Tokyo in the summer of 2021, he pitched a perfect inning for Israel against the United States.
“Pitching in the Olympics was the highlight of my baseball career,” Reichman reported with a proud smile.
Reichmann was in the United States when Israel was attacked by Hamas on October 7, 2023. He was moved and grateful the next day, October 8, when the Reds issued a public statement saying they “mourn the loss of life and suffering of innocent people due to acts of terrorism against Israel.” We condemn these senseless acts of hate and stand in solidarity with the people of Israel in praying for peace and an end to terrorism. ”
Mr. Reichmann did not take public support for granted.
“That was a big deal…Both the coach and the GM were there to help me and help me if I needed anything.”
Additionally, Reichman said he has been contacted by his former team, the Mariners, as well as several past and present Jewish major leaguers.
Reichmann returned to Israel on October 18 and remained there with his family until returning to the United States and the Reds on February 1 for the new season. Mr. Kurz told how Mr. Reichmann spent his time in Israel.
“During the last winter months while he was in Israel during the war, we volunteered with Assaf Lebengaard and the Olympic IOC to help with Israeli agriculture, even picking oranges and avocados. , Aron was always one of the guys who spent time with our up-and-coming athletes, teaching them and showing them the finer points of the games he had learned. And despite this, he has always remained humble and grateful, understanding where he came from and always giving back. ”
Reichmann returned to the Reds for spring training and the start of the MLB season. He happened to come across a photo of the glove posted on social media by a female friend who played softball on an Israeli team.
When Reichman saw Maddy Lewis’ two-tone blue gloves designed by JH Performance with the words “Chazakim Buyachad” (“We’re Stronger Together”) written on them, Reichman said, “I’ll get the gloves too.” I thought maybe I should.
With Israel still at war and hostages still being held captive, Reichman decided to design his own red and black gloves, stating that they were “the colors of Bring Them Home.” Masu.
Kurtz was impressed.
“I always got goosebumps when he promoted the mitts he made himself and when he uploaded a photo of himself wearing a ‘Bring them Home’ T-shirt at Reds camp, and I believe in the value of such a simple PR gesture. I can’t help it.
“Aron is certainly the first Sabra to reach this level of coaching in MLB, and he will accomplish even greater things as well, but will always remember his roots and support them for many years. I am very proud to have coached and taught him over the years.”
Reichman prays that one day he won’t have to wear Bring Them Home shirts or gloves.
“I hope things get better when I get back home. I hope that doesn’t happen again.”
