Eitan Levine: 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Professional Comedian

…I think we’re at a point now where we don’t really listen to each other. A big problem there and in regard to many other issues is that everyone is playing defense. Everyone is so focused on making their point that it prevents them from listening to or acknowledging the other side’s concerns. This happens across every spectrum of political life. I believe that we are very divided. I was listening to a podcast about how members of Congress used to live in D.C., but now they live mostly back in their home districts, which has increased division. So, my idea would be that everyone should get coffee with someone they disagree with twice a week, and the government would pay for it. I’m sorry, but that’s basically Real Housewives of New York. It’s just you have to go get food with people that you hate and then they film it. So that could be a good show, a good pilot. Hello, sharks…

I had the pleasure to talk with Eitan Levine. Eitan, a New York-based comedian and content creator on a unique mission: to break the Guinness World Record for the most first pitches thrown at professional baseball games within a single year. This ambitious endeavor, aimed at raising awareness and funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, is set to take him across the United States, pitching for both Major League Baseball (MLB) and minor league teams. His goal is to throw over 50 first pitches, surpassing the previously unclaimed record of 40.

Levine’s journey is not just a record-breaking attempt but also a personal and philanthropic endeavor. A survivor of juvenile cancer, he credits the Make-A-Wish Foundation for a pivotal moment in his life. As a teenager, his wish to perform stand-up comedy with Darrell Hammond at Caroline’s on Broadway was granted, propelling him into the comedy career he enjoys today. Levine’s story is a testament to resilience and the power of dreams, and he hopes his current quest will inspire and support others facing life-threatening illnesses.

Levine’s scheduled first pitches span an impressive list of teams, including the New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers, and Minnesota Twins, among others. His travels will not only include these ceremonial pitches but also the opportunity to explore local baseball culture. Levine plans to document his experiences on his “50 First Pitches Podcast,” where he will interview players and fans, and perform stand-up comedy shows at local clubs.

Born in New York and raised in New Jersey, Levine’s early life was marked by his battle with cancer. Diagnosed with a bone tumor below his knee at the age of 10, he underwent two years of chemotherapy and a lengthy recovery. Despite these challenges, he managed to play hockey in high school and found solace in stand-up comedy. His first performance at the Stress Factory in New Brunswick, New Jersey, set the stage for a lifelong passion. Balancing his comedy aspirations with his Orthodox Jewish upbringing, Levine often found creative ways to sneak out of school to perform at open mics.

Levine’s comedic style has evolved significantly over the years. Initially focused on broad, humorous topics, his material has matured to include deeper, more personal themes such as his cancer experience and Jewish heritage. He has performed at numerous comedy festivals and clubs across the country, including the Asheville Comedy Festival, Milwaukee Comedy Fest, Motor City Comedy Fest, and the New York Comedy Festival, among others.

In addition to his stand-up career, Levine has made significant contributions as a writer and producer. His work has been featured in prominent publications like The New York Times, New York Magazine, and Paper Magazine, and he has written for television shows such as Late Night with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and The Daily Show. Levine has also produced content for major companies including Nike, Red Bull, Jeep, Audible, MSNBC, and Bacardi.

In 2022, Levine was tapped to host a show on Amazon’s new Sports Talk network called “Game Breakers.” The previous year, he gained widespread recognition with his “Jewish Man On The Street” video series, which went viral and amassed over 30 million views. His diverse body of work demonstrates his ability to blend humor with insightful commentary on contemporary issues.

Levine’s current project, attempting to break the Guinness World Record for first pitches, also includes a documentary component. Inspired by his experiences throwing ceremonial pitches and his love for minor league baseball, Levine decided to pursue the record after discovering it was unclaimed. His initiative has garnered support from numerous teams and has already seen him pitch for the Portland Sea Dogs at Hadlock Stadium, among others.

Through this endeavor, Levine aims to highlight the unifying power of baseball, a sport that brings together people from all walks of life. Despite the current divisiveness in American society, he finds that the communal atmosphere at baseball games remains a positive force. His project is not only about setting a new record but also about celebrating the spirit of baseball and giving back to the community through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

As Levine continues his journey, he remains committed to his creative process, drawing material from his personal experiences and the world around him. His stand-up routines, enriched by his life story and unique perspective, resonate with audiences nationwide. With his record-breaking attempt, Levine hopes to leave a lasting impact, combining his love for comedy and baseball with a cause close to his heart.

To donate to Make-A-Wish please visit 50FirstPitches.com

Eitan, it’s a delight and honor to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?

Yes, I was born in New York but grew up in New Jersey before moving back to New York for college. An important part of my life is that I’m a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with a bone tumor below my knee when I was 10 years old. The chemotherapy lasted two years, followed by 15 years of various recovery steps. I spent a lot of time in wheelchairs and on crutches. Despite that, I was able to play hockey by the time I reached high school. Also, when I was 15, out of boredom from sitting around so much, I got into stand-up comedy. I first performed at the Stress Factory in New Brunswick, New Jersey, which has been a massive force in my life. I used to sneak out of Jewish school to perform. When my mom thought I was going to shul on minor fast days, I would actually be heading to an open mic in places like Bloomfield. It’s funny — balancing life in an Orthodox Jewish day school with doing comedy on the side. Boredom led me to it; this is what happens if you don’t keep your kids entertained.

It’s great. So you probably have some amazing, interesting experiences. Can you share one or two of your favorite stories that kind of personify your life as a comedian?

As a comedian, one of the best things I ever did relates back to when I had cancer as a kid. I got a Make-A-Wish, and initially, I asked for a battle bot. You know, the fighting robots from the show on Comedy Central. It was an impossible ask, and naturally, Make-A-Wish couldn’t supply a fighting robot to a 10-year-old. After my original wish was denied — which I totally understand, no hard feelings — a year later, when I was 15, I got to fulfill my wish to do stand-up in New York. Until then, I had only performed at open mics and new talent nights in New Jersey. Make-A-Wish arranged for me and a bunch of friends to go to Caroline’s on Broadway in a limousine. That night, I opened for Darrell Hammond from SNL. It was an incredible experience, and I really killed it; it’s one of my best stand-up memories.

On the flip side, my worst stand-up memory also stands out. It was at the University of Pennsylvania’s Hillel House during their spring fling on a Friday night. There were no microphones because it’s a Jewish institution and it was a Shabbat dinner. It was extremely loud and hard to project my voice over the crowd. Moreover, next door, Snoop Dogg was performing. Everyone who couldn’t get into the Snoop Dogg concert ended up at the Shabbat dinner, and there I was, trying to yell my jokes over a crowded field. That was definitely the worst stand-up experience I’ve ever had. So those are two very contrasting examples of my life as a comedian.

That’s great. It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share another humorous mistake you made and the lesson you learned from it?

A humorous mistake I’ve made? Well, I tend to get myself involved in very ambitious projects. Most of the time, if they’re good ideas, they do well. But sometimes I definitely bite off more than I can chew. Take Apartment Fest, for example. This is a five-day comedy festival that I threw in my apartment. The first time I did it this year, it was successful — featured in the New York Times, sold-out shows, and I managed to fit about 35 people in my living room each night.

However, the first Apartment Fest was, I’d say, a learning curve. It originated from a rejection notice I received from a comedy festival I don’t even remember applying to. Frustrated by the absurdity, I thought, why not create my own festival? So, I got a logo made on Fiverr, and surprisingly, 130 comedians applied. My apartment at the time could maybe fit 10 or 15 people, so it was quite a stretch. We ended up having multiple nights of shows. My building management wasn’t thrilled when they found out, but luckily it was only on the last day.

The event kept growing unexpectedly. Sponsors like Dickie’s Finger Joint and the creators of the Hot Ones hot sauce sent over freebies. We even had beer from New Belgium Brewery and cookie dough from Scoopable. It was all happening because I had a professional-looking logo. Suddenly, we had sponsors and 130 participants, and the festival was sold out. We even hosted an industry night right in my living room.

Looking back, it was chaotic, exciting, and a bit of a disaster, but it was enough to bring it back for another year. What’s really funny is that two people got agents from that festival. It goes to show that sometimes the most unplanned, chaotic projects can lead to unexpected opportunities.

So, is there a lesson in those great stories?

Yes, it really taught me about production and my own limitations as a producer. It showed me what I need to operate successfully. For example, you’re a journalist — you know the importance of having some backing power behind your communications. When I was at Elite Daily, my emails started getting responses because I had that name behind me, which lent legitimacy to my requests. That’s something a lot of people don’t realize: sometimes, legitimacy is as simple as having a logo and an LLC.

The Apartment Fest was a real-life example of this. Creating it and having it taken seriously because of its perceived legitimacy taught me a lot. The last festival we did was a huge success; we even raised $1,500 for Make-A-Wish and got coverage in the New York Times. These large, ambitious projects I’ve embarked on have taught me valuable lessons on both ends of the spectrum.

Additionally, the pandemic forced everyone to learn how to produce things differently, like outdoor shows. I remember one time performing in Central Park for our show “NYC is Dead,” which attracted around 200–250 people. Mid-performance, a kid hacked our Bluetooth speaker and played the Russian national anthem! It was bizarre, but it taught me to always secure your equipment. So, all these wild projects have been formative in reaching where I am today.

Do you want to share with us any exciting projects you’re working on now and what you’ll be working on in the near future?

I’m attempting to break the Guinness record for the most ceremonial first pitches thrown over the course of a year. I’m doing this for Make-A-Wish. The record was previously unclaimed at 40, so I’m aiming for at least 50 pitches. As of today, we have 45 booked, which is intentional. We’ve had an incredible response from various teams, and I’ve left the last five open as I’m still deciding how to best utilize them. We are working with about 10 major league teams so far. Right now, I’m in Chicago, and tomorrow at 7 a.m., I’ll be driving to South Bend, Indiana, to throw a pitch for the South Bend Cubs. Then it’s on to the Windy City Thunderbolts, the Joliet Slammers, and the Chicago Dogs — all this week. After that, I head to Austin and then Durham for the Durham Bulls.

So how many are you up to?

We’ve done eleven so far. The pitch at the Portland Sea Dogs’ Hadlock Stadium was beautiful. This project has allowed me to immerse myself in the world of minor league baseball, which I’ve been a fan of for years. A few years ago, I even wrote a pilot while attending Brooklyn Cyclone games. It’s a draft, not something I’m pitching right now, but I think Hollywood should take a look at it. I’ve always loved minor league baseball because it focuses more on the environment and the gimmicks, which as a comic and sports fan, I find fascinating. There’s also a pure, wholesome American vibe to it. Given the current divisiveness in America, I find that sports, especially minor league sports, remain a positive force. Through this project, I’m traveling across various states, and I’m curious about the national mood. But in these stadiums, that division doesn’t seem to exist — everyone just unites in their dislike for the Yankees.

How did you get this idea of throwing the most opening pitches?

Because of my following last year, I threw out the first pitch at a Mets game for Jewish heritage day (I’ve done a number of Jewish heritage days.) I did one for the Lake County Captains, and they were super game for anything. I gave their mascot, Horatio the Seagull, a bar mitzvah over the course of the game. It was hilarious. You know, like when you watch TV, the framing shows the back of the pitcher, the batter, and the catcher, with the stands in the background? If you watched the broadcast, you could see Horatio reading a Torah in the stands and, at another point, holding a lit menorah. All of this was on the broadcast.

I also got to do some stuff with the Cyclones and their mascot, Sandy the Seagull. As a lifelong baseball fan, the concept of throwing out a first pitch is a huge honor. Doing it at Citi Field was the coolest thing ever. One night, I was doom-scrolling and got curious about the record for the most first pitches thrown. I assumed there would be an all-time record because if you’re a mayor, you might throw out three a year. But Guinness had it unclaimed at 40. So, like all these projects I’ve told you about, I thought, why not try it? It seemed attainable, and I knew I could figure it out.

I always try to include a charitable component in everything I do, and this felt like the perfect opportunity. Most teams have been really supportive. Only a handful have said no, and that’s usually because they already had their first pitches assigned. Overall, it’s been a smooth process.

Adding to the excitement, there’s a documentary component now. When I had a sports show on Amazon, one of the producers approached me about shooting a documentary on this project. Suddenly, we had multiple major league teams saying yes, and the minor league teams were all on board. Someone from Korean baseball, KBO, even reached out. It’s been a very good sequence of events.

That’s beautiful. Please tell us about your creative process. Where do you get your material from? How do you develop your jokes?

Yeah, it’s interesting. My creative journey has been kind of weird. I got into standup as a kid, starting with very broad fart jokes, nothing more. Over time, I shifted away from standup for about six years because I had several writing and journalism jobs. I was a celebrity and business journalist and had shows on places like Cheddar, and I was involved in a documentary series at Elite Daily. So, with writing during the day and performing live in improv and sketch comedy at night, I didn’t feel a need to do standup. But I missed it. Standup is great because you have complete control. It’s the most control I can have as a creative.

So, I returned to stand up after my stint at Cheddar and focused more on deeper material. I never used to talk about serious topics like cancer or deeper aspects of Judaism. My grandmother was a Holocaust survivor, and these themes are a significant part of my life. Making deeper jokes, especially about topics like cancer, is tough. The hardest part is delivering them gently to the audience. It was rough being emotional and bombing at the same time, but I got more comfortable. My cancer jokes are now my favorite to perform, and I’ve started to talk more about my grandmother and Orthodox Judaism in ways broader audiences can appreciate.

Then the pandemic hit. I was supposed to support myself solely through standup, but I had to return thousands of dollars when gigs were canceled. I was part of the first show back in New York after the pandemic, performing to people in cars at a drive-in set up by a diner. You couldn’t hear laughter because windows were up due to COVID precautions, so we had people honk or flash their lights if they liked a joke. That time really changed the meaning of standup for me because it became about addressing relevant, scary topics.

Also, my grandmother passed away from COVID early in the pandemic, and I wrote a dark comedy piece for the New York Times about it. During the pandemic, I started a Jewish interview series called Jewish or Anti-Semitic, which took off thanks to social media. So, that’s been my process recently.

Okay, great. So this is our signature question. Do you have five things you wish someone had told you when you first became a professional comedian and why?

Five things I wish someone had told me when I first started in comedy?

First, it’s a long game. It really is about who can stay in it the longest and adapt when things like the TikTok algorithm change or when live performances come back. You need to keep moving and recalibrating.

Second, coming back into stand-up with a career and a following meant that it wasn’t my only option, which helped me not take rejections personally. This was crucial, especially for big festivals or career opportunities I missed out on. I’ve learned to stay zen about these things. For example, when I was screening videos for Apartment Fest, if I looked away during the first 30 seconds, that could mean someone didn’t get in. It’s just part of the process, and you have to be okay with that.

Third, always learn from your mistakes. It’s part of playing the long game — you must continue learning and adapting.

Fourth, don’t compare your success to others. Most of the time, the shows you don’t book or the ones you attend and find only a third full aren’t worth fretting over.

And finally, number five, you have to take complete control of your destiny. Agents and managers can help, but you need to bring something to the table. Create your own projects, find your path, and take initiative. It’s also important to recognize that the landscape changes — networks and platforms come and go, so focus on what you can control, not the external factors.

Great, amazing. Okay, this is a more serious question. So, Eitan, because of the platform you’ve built, you’re a person of great influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?

I think we’re at a point now where we don’t really listen to each other. That’s a huge issue, especially in places like Palestine–which is a tremendously awful situation in and of itself. A big problem there and in regard to many other issues is that everyone is playing defense. Everyone is so focused on making their point that it prevents them from listening to or acknowledging the other side’s concerns. This happens across every spectrum of political life. I believe that we are very divided. I was listening to a podcast about how members of Congress used to live in D.C., but now they live mostly back in their home districts, which has increased division. So, my idea would be that everyone should get coffee with someone they disagree with twice a week, and the government would pay for it.

I’m sorry, but that’s basically Real Housewives of New York. It’s just you have to go get food with people that you hate and then they film it.

So that could be a good show, a good pilot. Hello, sharks.

That’s great. Is there a person in the world or the U.S. with whom you’d like to have lunch or a beer? Because we could tag them and maybe connect you.

This is a good question. You know, for the purpose of this entire project, I would say Rob Manfred. Right now, I’m trying to set a record involving major league teams, and I think he’s done a pretty good job with baseball. Baseball is so exciting now. Every sport has had exciting seasons lately, but baseball has really stepped it up. So Rob Manfred and Shohei Ohtani, let’s go get lunch at Cantor’s Deli in L.A. I wonder if Shohei has ever had matzah ball soup? That’s what I want to do. Also, Steve Cohen, the owner of the Mets — he’s like a god to me, almost like my adopted father in some way.

That’s great. Are you happy with the rule changes in baseball?

Oh, absolutely. The only annoying thing about the rules is that they didn’t change them earlier. Everyone has a bit of ADD thanks to TikTok, and they needed to make the games faster. More steals, faster games — it’s all good. I couldn’t be a bigger fan of the changes.

Amazing. How can the readers continue to follow your work? How could they support your mission in any way?

Well, first of all, we now have 50 First Pitch stickers available. I’m going across America to throw out pitches at various stadiums until the end of the season. You can find the list of stops on 50firstpitches.com. A big part of this is raising money for Make-A-Wish. It costs about $10,000 per wish, and I’m aiming to raise enough for 10 wishes. You can donate directly at 50firstpitches.com, and we make sure to support the local Make-A-Wish chapters at each stop. You can also follow my journey on Instagram and TikTok at 8 On The Goalie. We’re also launching a podcast soon, which will chronicle the places we’ve visited. And, yeah, you could Venmo me — just kidding!

Want to share some more Jewish or Anti-Semitic jokes?

Oh, absolutely. The Pope, Jewish or Anti-Semitic?

Jewish.

Yes, he’s a Jewish man. First of all, he wears a yarmulke, only wears sandals, and doesn’t pay taxes. That’s the most Jewish thing.

That’s great. (Laughs)

Thank you. Yeah, we’ve been doing a live Jewish game show in New York called That’s So Jewish at Asylum NYC. The next one is May 19th. It’s really fun, we gamify Judaism with various categories like Russian oligarch or guy from my synagogue, poorly described Jewish holidays, and more. It’s been great keeping the focus on Jewish joy amidst everything being about Israel right now. And as I tour, I often find myself as the only Jew in town, hoping to show my Jewish face in different places.

Have you ever had any bad experiences?

Nothing where I’ve felt threatened, but I’ve had moments post-show where someone’s beliefs shocked me. I once had a viral moment where a guy talked about his grandparents meeting Hitler, which was pretty jarring. But generally, in comedy settings, I haven’t felt threatened, although I’ve witnessed some disturbing anti-Semitic incidents in public.

How about online? Like in the comments?

Oh, relentlessly. Usually, it doesn’t get to me, but recently a friend was doxxed and threatened after appearing in one of my videos, which was tough. I get a lot of hateful comments online, especially any time Israel comes up. But what’s great about baseball is that for three hours, I can just put my phone down and enjoy the game. And speaking of games, shout out to some of the teams I’ve visited like the Hartford Yard Goats and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp — amazing stadiums. Then there’s Nashville, with the world’s only guitar-shaped big screen, and Portland, Maine, which is like a mini annex to Boston fandom with their sports setup. It’s been a fun journey visiting all these places.

The thing is, with this project, I love it because it’s so apolitical and it’s been such a good stepping aside from everything. I think that hopefully it is the kind of thing where people look at it and, I don’t know, there’s just… our timelines are constricted with the worst stuff every day. Every New York Times push notification is the worst thing I’ve ever seen. So I’m hoping that this does kind of elevate, you know, in some small part.

If it goes well and we get super funded and everything, you know, we’re filming a documentary with this. There’s a camera crew that goes with me everywhere we go. And, you know, at the end of this there is going to be a pile of footage that will be turned into a documentary of some sort so look out for that and thank you.

It’s been amazing meeting you. I hope we can meet in person one day.

Yes, please, please.