In my family, baseball has always been something of a religion. Not a single summer day went by without a game of some sort on the television or radio. Some might even suggest that the sport comes close to eclipsing our actual religion, Judaism. This relationship is never more prevalent than during the Jewish "high holidays" of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, both conveniently placed in close proximity to the World Series. I can still remember a sigh of relief when, during a short break in the service, the Rabbi announced that the home team still clung to a slim lead.

	Green

My father always told me stories about his Jewish sports heroes, and no legend garnered more passion than the tale of Sandy Koufax sitting out Game 1 of the 1965 World Series, which happened to fall on Yom Kippur. Despite the importance of the game, Koufax refused to waver in his religious beliefs, attending synagogue and fasting as Jewish tradition dictated.

When Shawn Green announced he would sit out Wednesday's game against the Giants, I was encouraged. After all, another of my Jewish heroes was following in the tradition of Koufax and sitting out a very important baseball game on account of Yom Kippur. However, I was somewhat disheartened to hear that Green's decision came partly from his status as "a role model in sports for Jewish kids," as he told Baseball America's Alan Schwarz.

Did Green's decision come from the depths of his heart? Does he truly believe that Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, a day in which he should abstain from any activity that would take away from the meaning of the day, such as eating, working or playing baseball? Is Green going to go to synagogue? Is he going to eat?

It's one thing for a player to sit out a game because of his religious beliefs and be lauded for his actions. Such a player is truly a role model and deserves the praise he receives. It's another thing altogether for a player to sit out a game and cite his role model responsibilities as a major reason for doing so. The feeling I get from his statements is that Green would not have chosen to sit if he did not have such a keen eye for public relations, and I'm not sure that's the example I want to have set for Jewish children.

I am delighted that Shawn Green has joined the ranks of successful Jewish baseball players. There are not many players in that category, and each one is a welcome addition. I am extremely happy that Shawn Green is sitting out such an important game right in the midst of a very exciting pennant race. My own decision to skip work on Thursday was announced without fanfare, and I am glad I will be able to attend synagogue without worrying about what I am missing at work.

I just hope Shawn Green takes the day off for himself, rather than for me.

David Lipman is a producer for ESPN.com.