Summary: Dean Kremer is not just any pitcher. In June 2015, at 19 years old, he became the first Israeli to ever be drafted by a Major League Baseball team. This past summer, he made news again when he was part of a blockbuster trade. The Los Angeles Dodgers picked up superstar shortstop Manny Machado and, in exchange, sent five up-and-coming prospects to the Baltimore Orioles. One of those players was pitcher Dean Kremer. In addition to his major league play Kremer, who holds dual citizenship with Israel and the United States, pitched for Israel's national baseball team at the 2014 European Championships and in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, a tournament where Israel stunned the international baseball community with four straight wins. Kremer is now finishing up his first season playing for the Baltimore Orioles Double A minor league team in Bowie, Maryland. The life of a minor leaguer is not all glitz and glamour – playing a grueling schedule of around 150 games each year. What's more is he doesn't have many days off, and even if he did, Kremer doesn't have a car. On today's episode we catch up with him to chat about the big trade that brought him to the Orioles, what it's like sleeping on a bus most nights and why baseball is gaining popularity in Israel. For behind the scenes access to our show, including sneak peeks of future episodes, please join the "Our Friend from Israel" Facebook group. For additional notes, photos and a transcript of this episode, please visit www.ourfriendfromisrael.com.
