The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger would like to recognize Binyamin Flynn as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The 14-year-old was a member of the Teaneck High School freshman baseball team. He split time playing the corners (first and third base) and finished the season with a batting average over 300. The team’s record was 5-11 while playing some of the top teams in state such as Don Bosco. The schedule was intense: 10 weeks from Monday through Saturday, every day there was either a two-hour practice or a game. The coach and team worked with Flynn, not penalizing him for games and practices he missed because of Shabbos. When asked about early shabbos in the winter, Flynn told the JLNJ, “I got lucky that our Friday games were all home games that I was able to play and make it home in time for Shabbos.” Binyamin shared with JLNJ a little bit about himself:
Binyamin, who is one of your role models?
My role model is my Uncle Yudi. He taught me how to play most sports from a very early age. Even with all of his sports related injuries, he’s still one of the best baseball, basketball and football players that I know.
Who is your favorite athlete?
Matt Harvey. I’m a die-hard Mets fan and would cut school every day to watch him pitch. Even after having Tommy John surgery he still came back this year as one of the best pitchers in the league.
What is one of your earliest sport memories?
I have a picture of myself as a baby going to my first Mets playoff game in 2000. Obviously I don’t remember that, but that was the start for me for going to watch the Mets play and them becoming my favorite Major League team. When I was about five years old, my dad had a Sunday ticket package for the Mets at Shea Stadium and we’d take the 7-train to the games.
What is your favorite sports memory?
I have two favorites
1. When the Giants won both Superbowls in 2008 and 2011. At both games they had crazy drives to win the game.
2. For the past few years, for a week-and-a-half in the summer, my dad and I have gone on baseball road trips, going to as many stadiums as we could. Last summer was the best one because I got to see the Mets play in Miami and met a bunch of the players.
What are some of your favorite things to do when not playing sports?
I like hanging with friends, playing video games and watching sports on TV.
What’s the best thing about being a Sportstar:
I love how my younger brother looks up to me as an athlete and baseball player. We “play catch” every day after school and I can’t wait ‘til he’s old enough for me to take him on the subway to see the Mets together.
The Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week will receive a $10 gift certificate to Gotham Burger. Please send nominees for next week’s Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].
