Why Dean Kremer Is So Famous Yet Still Can’t Revive Israel’s Baseball Scene

When you talk about baseball in Israel, the conversation almost always circles back to one name: Dean Kremer. The Baltimore Orioles pitcher has built an impressive reputation in Major League Baseball (MLB), becoming the first Israeli-born player to make it to the big leagues. Despite his fame and influence in American baseball, he still faces an uphill battle when it comes to lifting Israel baseball onto a global stage.

Recently, at the European Baseball Championship 2025, Israel’s team suffered a disappointing 4–3 defeat, leaving fans questioning why the sport still struggles to gain momentum in the country despite Kremer’s international recognition. Even with the headlines and the hype, the reality is stark: baseball in Israel remains a niche sport, overshadowed by basketball, soccer, and political noise that spills into the sports world.

This article dives deep into the reasons why Dean Kremer’s fame hasn’t translated into a baseball revolution back home. From cultural dynamics to political pressures, from fan reactions to systemic challenges, we’ll explore what’s really holding back the growth of the sport in Israel.

Dean Kremer: The Face of Israeli Baseball

To understand the paradox, you first need to know who Dean Kremer is and why his name carries so much weight in the world of baseball.

Born in Stockton, California, to Israeli parents, Kremer grew up straddling two cultures. His dual identity gave him the chance to represent Israel on the international baseball stage, while also excelling in the MLB. When he debuted with the Orioles in 2020, he instantly made history as the first Israeli-born pitcher in Major League Baseball.

| DEAN KREMER: “Wearing that Israeli flag on my sleeve isn’t just pride. It’s a statement that we can compete on any stage.”

For many young athletes in Israel, Kremer is proof that dreams are possible. He’s become a symbol of hope, bridging the gap between Israel and the global baseball community. And yet, as much as his personal story inspires, it hasn’t been enough to ignite a full-blown baseball revolution back in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, or Haifa.

The Harsh Reality of Baseball in Israel

Despite Dean Kremer’s MLB success, the infrastructure for Israel baseball remains fragile. Baseball is far from a mainstream sport in the country, where most kids dream of shooting hoops like Omri Casspi or scoring goals like Eran Zahavi.

The lack of proper stadiums, limited funding, and the absence of a strong grassroots program make it difficult for baseball to compete with dominant sports like soccer and basketball. In fact, many Israelis don’t even know the rules of baseball, let alone follow international leagues.

| ISRAELI SPORTS ANALYST: “For baseball to thrive here, it can’t just be about one superstar abroad. It needs fields, coaches, and a real culture of competition.”

This lack of foundation became painfully clear during the European Baseball Championship, where the Israeli team’s narrow 4–3 loss underscored both the potential and the limitations of the current system. Without a strong domestic structure, even having a star like Kremer can’t carry the weight of an entire sport.

Cultural Barriers: Why Baseball Struggles in Israel

Beyond infrastructure, cultural preferences play a massive role. Israel has never been a baseball country. Unlike in the United States, where baseball is deeply woven into the fabric of national identity, Israelis see it as foreign.

Sports culture in Israel is dominated by fast-paced, high-contact games. Soccer is by far the most popular sport, followed by basketball, which has a strong international presence thanks to clubs like Maccabi Tel Aviv. Baseball, in contrast, is often viewed as too slow, too American, and lacking the emotional pull of the nation’s favorite pastimes.

| FORMER ISRAELI COACH: “You can’t just import baseball and expect it to stick. People have to feel it belongs here, and right now, it doesn’t.”

The Political Angle: Anti-Israel Bias in Sports

Another challenge is the role of politics. Just as with soccer, where Israeli teams often face protests, boycotts, or hostile atmospheres abroad, Israel baseball hasn’t been immune to the larger issue of anti-Israel bias in sports.

At the European Baseball Championship, Israeli athletes often face opponents and crowds who see the flag on their jersey not just as a sports symbol, but as a political statement. This adds pressure that no other team carries.

| ISRAELI PLAYER: “We don’t just play baseball. Every game feels like a political battle.”

This bias discourages broader investment in the sport and can also dampen fan enthusiasm back home, as many people feel the results are decided as much by politics as by talent on the field.

Why Dean Kremer’s Fame Doesn’t Translate

The paradox is clear: Dean Kremer is well-known in the MLB, yet his fame hasn’t created the boom for Israel baseball that many hoped for. There are several reasons for this disconnect:

1. Geography – Kremer plays in the U.S., far from the day-to-day sports culture in Israel.

2. Accessibility – Most Israelis don’t have access to MLB broadcasts or live games.

3. Identity Split – While Kremer proudly represents Israel internationally, he is seen primarily as an American athlete in the MLB.

4. Structural Void – Without fields, leagues, and coaches in Israel, Kremer’s success can’t trickle down to the grassroots level.

| SPORTS JOURNALIST: “Dean Kremer is a hero, but heroes don’t build infrastructure. That takes policy, funding, and years of cultural buy-in.”

The European Baseball Championship Loss: A Symbol of the Struggle

The 4–3 defeat at the European Baseball Championship in 2025 is more than just a scoreline. It’s a metaphor for the state of the sport in Israel. The team fought hard, but the lack of depth, preparation, and resources became apparent.

For fans, the loss was frustrating because it showed how close Israel could be to making strides on the continental stage. For critics, it reinforced the belief that without major structural changes, Israeli baseball will always come up short.

Fan Reactions: Disappointment and Hope

The Israeli fanbase for baseball may be small, but it is passionate. Reactions to the loss and to Kremer’s ongoing career have been mixed.

Some express frustration that even with a superstar like Dean Kremer, the national team can’t seem to break through. Others argue that Kremer’s very existence as a top-level pitcher is already a victory, and that patience is required.

| ISRAELI FAN: “Dean is carrying the flag in the MLB. That’s already history. But it’s up to us to build baseball here if we really want it to grow.”

Comparing Baseball to Other Israeli Sports

To understand baseball’s struggle, you need to look at how other sports in Israel have thrived. Basketball grew because of strong clubs like Maccabi Tel Aviv, which regularly competes in the EuroLeague. Soccer has deep roots in nearly every city and town, with rivalries and traditions passed down through generations.

Baseball, however, lacks both the infrastructure and the generational legacy. Without those elements, Kremer’s fame can only go so far.

What It Would Take for Baseball to Thrive in Israel

If Israel baseball is ever to grow, several key steps are needed:

• Investment in Fields and Facilities – Without physical spaces, young athletes can’t even start.

• Grassroots Programs – Schools and youth leagues are the backbone of any sport.

• Cultural Integration – Baseball needs to be marketed as part of Israeli identity, not just an American import.

• International Exposure – Bringing MLB exhibitions or training camps to Israel could ignite interest.

| SPORTS DEVELOPMENT OFFICIAL: “If we want another Dean Kremer, we need 500 kids throwing baseballs in parks every day.”

Dean Kremer’s Role in the Future of Israeli Baseball

So where does that leave Dean Kremer? His role is both symbolic and practical. As long as he remains in the MLB, he will be the face of Israel baseball. His performances can inspire, and his presence keeps the sport relevant in Israeli media.

But Kremer can’t do it alone. At best, he can be an ambassador, using his fame to lobby for greater investment, mentor young players, and bring international attention to the cause.

| DEAN KREMER: “I can represent. I can inspire. But it’s up to Israel to decide if baseball matters here.”

The Road Ahead

The path for Israel baseball is uncertain. With passionate fans, a global star in Dean Kremer, and flashes of competitiveness like the narrow loss in the European Championship, there is hope. But without systemic changes, the sport risks remaining a niche activity, overshadowed by larger cultural and political forces.

For now, Dean Kremer’s fame is a bright light, but it shines against the backdrop of a dim baseball scene in Israel. The question is whether that light will be enough to spark something bigger—or whether it will remain a lone flame.

Even with the frustration of setbacks and the weight of political challenges, the story of Dean Kremer proves that Israeli athletes can reach the highest levels of global sport. But for baseball to thrive in Israel, it will take more than one hero. It will take a movement.

Baseball in Israel remains on fragile ground, yet there is undeniable pride every time Dean Kremer takes the mound in MLB. The paradox is real: he is world-famous, yet back home, his sport still fights for survival. Whether Israel embraces baseball in the coming years will determine if Kremer is remembered as a one-off pioneer or the spark that lit a national passion.