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Posted: 29 Oct 2007, 23:53
by Maxie's Gal
pundit wrote:Brute wrote:From memory Max was not a practising Jew, but wore the Star of David to annoy Hitler. Like a lot of Americans, Max was probably angry about Avery Brundage leaving a lot of good Jewish American athletes out of the USA Olympic team to the 1932 Berlin Olympics to appease Hitler. So he wore the Star of David against Louis? Hitler was still German Chancellor, wasn't he?
It was essentially a marketing tool. Baer had a Jewish grandfather but had grown up in an entirely non-Jewis environment. He wore the Star of David for the first time in 1933 in the "Battle of the Maxes" against German ex-champ Max Schmeling -- only months after Hitler had come to power amidst anti-Jewish violence in Germany. However, people were suspicioius of Baer's marketing trick, hence he vowed to wear the Star of David in EVERY fight from now on -- and he did for a while.
P.S.: the Berlin games were in 1936 only. Baer was in negotitiations with Schemling's management for a re-fight in 1934 IN GERMANY, btw, but the plan fell through after Baer got his shot at Carbera.
Nicely done, pundit !! Max wore the star for Schmeling, Carnera, Louis, Farr I & II, and Nova I. He did not wear it for Foord, Galento and Nova II.
Regards,
Cat
http://www.maxbaer.org
Re: No Max Baer in the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
Posted: 30 Oct 2007, 00:10
by Maxie's Gal
dagosd2000 wrote:You can also throw this in. Max had made a movie in 1933 with Myrna Loy called The Prizefighter and the Lady. Max was closing in on Carnera's title(Carnera was in the film). The point is MGM produced the film and Louie B. Mayer owned the studio. Max was also thinking of an acting career and Mayer,being Jewish,was the most powerful man in Hollywood. Wear that Star of David Max. After Max lost to Louis a lot of people including the Jewish public thought Max lacked heart and he lost face, and perhaps a big career in the movies.
Hollywood didn't come calling for Max until after the June, 1933 Baer vs. Schmeling bout. Until as late as July/August of 1933, Clark Gable and Joan Crawford were signed for the roles, then eventually Myrna Loy and Max Baer were signed, so Mayer had no hand in encouraging Max to wear the star, however I've read that several Hollywood studio heads and higher ups, who were Jewish but at the time had to hide it, lived vicariously through Baer's "display."
Regards,
Cat
http://www.maxbaer.org
Posted: 30 Oct 2007, 10:02
by pundit
Maxie's Gal wrote:pundit wrote:Brute wrote:From memory Max was not a practising Jew, but wore the Star of David to annoy Hitler. Like a lot of Americans, Max was probably angry about Avery Brundage leaving a lot of good Jewish American athletes out of the USA Olympic team to the 1932 Berlin Olympics to appease Hitler. So he wore the Star of David against Louis? Hitler was still German Chancellor, wasn't he?
It was essentially a marketing tool. Baer had a Jewish grandfather but had grown up in an entirely non-Jewis environment. He wore the Star of David for the first time in 1933 in the "Battle of the Maxes" against German ex-champ Max Schmeling -- only months after Hitler had come to power amidst anti-Jewish violence in Germany. However, people were suspicioius of Baer's marketing trick, hence he vowed to wear the Star of David in EVERY fight from now on -- and he did for a while.
P.S.: the Berlin games were in 1936 only. Baer was in negotitiations with Schemling's management for a re-fight in 1934 IN GERMANY, btw, but the plan fell through after Baer got his shot at Carbera.
Nicely done, pundit !! Max wore the star for Schmeling, Carnera, Louis, Farr I & II, and Nova I. He did not wear it for Foord, Galento and Nova II.
Regards,
Cat
http://www.maxbaer.org
One twist to the story is that Max Baer's "star" opponent -- Max Schmeling -- would later help Jews to escape from Nazi Germany.
http://www.auschwitz.dk/schmeling.htm
Posted: 01 Nov 2007, 00:33
by Brute
Schmelling was never a Nazi. His American trainer was Jewish as was his business partner in Germany. After the second World War he went to the USA looking for Joe Louis. They finished up the best of friends. When Joe's mental state deteriorated in his declining years Max used to send money to Joe's wife so they would be able to live. Everybody who knew Max agreed he was a gentleman.
Posted: 06 Nov 2007, 18:59
by Eric the Viking
If merely wearing a star of David on your trunks is the main criterion for getting into the JBHOF, then James Toney should be in there, as well. JT always looked kinda Hebrew to me, what with the big hooked nose and all. Toney's problem was that with the shaved head he had trouble keeping the yarmulke on.
Posted: 07 Nov 2007, 00:48
by Jaclem
..eric..the question of the thread is why maxie ISN'T in the jewish hall of fame...and while i'm here it just occurred to me...did brother buddy wear star of david? can't recall....
Posted: 07 Nov 2007, 01:34
by Jaclem
..thanks dec..saves me from a lot of rummaging