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)
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)

Palo Alto-born Jewish slugger Joc Pederson won’t be traded to LA Angels after all

Contrary to earlier reports, Joc Pederson, the power-hitting Jewish outfielder, appears to be staying with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

A trade that would have sent the lefty slugger to the Los Angeles Angels has been nixed.

The deal had been put on hold as the Dodgers and Red Sox worked out complications in the trade bringing former American League MVP Mookie Betts to the Dodgers. The Betts deal has been completed with changes, but Pederson won’t be changing addresses.

Pederson, 27, and pitcher Ross Stripling were headed to the American League club in exchange for second-year infielder Luis Rengifo and other players to be named.

Pederson 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.

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

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