Braun, Ryan

Braun's meteoric arrival in Milwaukee during the 2007 season is now legend. On May 25th, the Brewers called Ryan up from the Pacific Coast League -- which he had demolished with a .344 average and 22 homers in 34 games -- to see if he could play third base for the major league club. When the season ended, Braun -- although having played in only 113 games -- flaunted stupendous statistics: a .324 batting average with an on-base percentage of .370, 26 doubles, 6 triples, 34 home runs and 97 RBI. He obliterated the club rookie records -- which had been set over a full season -- and his slugging percentage of .634 was the highest by a rookie in Major League history. Against left-handed pitching, Ryan hit .450 with a slugging percentage of .964. "I don't think I could have asked for much more," Braun understated. Baseball America named him Rookie of the Year, ahead of an excellent class most of which had had a full season yet still couldn't match Braun's output.

Birth and Death Dates:
born November 17, 1983

Career Highlights:
Braun's Jewishness is "something that draws a lot of interest and something I take pride in," Ryan says. His father, Joe, is Israeli-born and immigrated to the United States at the age of 7. "Braun" was, coincidentally, the family name of Sandy Koufax, until his mother remarried and he took his step-father's name. "There's no (family) connection that I know of," Ryan Braun said, "but it's kind of cool."

Braun lived for a time with his maternal grandfather in a house that previously belonged to Jewish Hall of Fame outfielder Hank Greenberg. Ryan's grandfather has lived in the house for over 40 years. Braun's nickname is "The Hebrew Hammer," and he says he's "cool with that."

Position:
Third base

Physical description:
6'2", 200 lbs. Bats R, throws R

Career Statistics:
Games 113

Batting Average .324

Slugging Percentage .634

Home Runs 34

Runs 91

RBI 97

Stolen Bases 15

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