Joc Pederson of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a third-inning homer against the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Oct. 26, 2018. (JTA/Jeff Gross/Getty Images) Sports Palo Alto-born Jewish slugger Joc Pederson being traded from L.A. to L.A. Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By JTA, J. Staff | February 6, 2020 Joc Pederson apparently won’t be part of what the Los Angeles Dodgers hope will be a championship roster after losing in two of the last three World Series. Reports say the slugging Jewish outfielder, who became expendable after the Dodgers acquired one-time MVP Mookie Betts from the Boston Red Sox, has been traded to the Los Angeles Angels. Pederson, 27, and pitcher Ross Stripling are headed to the American League club in exchange for second-year infielder Luis Rengifo and other players to be named. Pederson, a lefty swinger, had career bests last year with 36 home runs, 74 runs batted in and a .249 batting average. He has played five full seasons in the major leagues, all with the Dodgers, who have won the National League West title for seven consecutive seasons. But the club has not captured a World Series since 1988, losing in 2017 to the Houston Astros and 2018 to the Betts-led Red Sox. Both winners later were found to be stealing signs. In the ’17 Series, Pederson broke the record for most home runs in a World Series by a Jewish player with 3, one more than Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg. Alex Bregman of the Astros tied the mark in 2019. With the Angels, Pederson joins a power-laden lineup that includes three-time MVP Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Albert Pujols, and free agent acquisition Anthony Rendon, formerly of the world champion Washington Nationals. Pederson is a Palo Alto High School alumnus. In November he was inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame of Northern California, and attended an induction banquet at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. His biography is permanently on display at an interactive “Wall of Fame” at the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto. Pederson is second only to Detroit Tigers slugger Hank Greenberg among Jews in home run frequency, according to the website Jewish Baseball News. The outfielder has hit 123 home runs since entering the Major Leagues in 2014. JTA Content distributed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news service. J. Staff Also On J. Sports Palo Alto-born Jewish slugger Joc Pederson won’t be traded to LA Angels after all Sports Jewish slugger Joc Pederson returns home to play for Giants Sports Giants’ Jewish slugger Joc Pederson makes the MLB All-Star Game Sports 3 Jewish baseball players could make or break the 2021 World Series Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up