Posted on 10/26/2022 9:32:19 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Looking around Memorial Stadium before Game 1 of the 1983 World Series, Philadelphia Phillies star Gary Matthews saw a lot of Black talent.
Joe Morgan. Eddie Murray. Garry Maddox. Ken Singleton. Al Bumbry. Disco Dan Ford. And plenty more that night in Baltimore.
“There were quite a few of us,” Matthews recalled.
When fans watch the Houston Astros and Phillies line up this week to begin the Fall Classic, it will be a much different picture.
To be sure, Houston’s Jose Altuve and Philadelphia’s Jean Segura are among scores of Latin players helping keep big league rosters diverse.
But for the first time since 1950, shortly after Jackie Robinson broke the Major League Baseball color barrier, there project to be no U.S.-born Black players in this World Series.
Zero.
“That is eye opening,” said Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. “It is somewhat startling that two cities that have high African American populations, there’s not a single Black player.”
“It lets us know there’s obviously a lot of work to be done to create opportunities for Black kids to pursue their dream at the highest level,” he said.
Robinson debuted in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers and played in the World Series that year. Since then, the 1950 matchup between the New York Yankees and Phillies has been the only World Series without a Black player.
Houston and Philadelphia will announce their 26-man rosters several hours before Game 1 on Friday night at Minute Maid Park, where Dusty Baker, a Black outfielder for the 1981 champion Los Angeles Dodgers, manages the Astros.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
They were great, entertaining movies.
I saw where the NBA Commissioner was warning teams not to tank this year to get him.
I note the Lakers are 0-4 to start the season.
And nuanced.
Most my friends’ kids play lacrosse. They’re not stupid or desperate enough to think they’re “going pro” in athletics.
Compared to nearly 100% when I was growing up.
diversity is important.....:)
There are over 60 foreign baseball players playing for Japanese pro teams and over half are black . Not all are Americans , though . Of the white guys playing virtually all are pitchers . There are some Taiwanese players as well .
no....they just aren't intimidated like our American born whiteys.....
My son and I had season tickets to “pro” box lacrosse (indoor) for several seasons. All of the players had regular jobs when not playing lacrosse. Really fun sport to watch.
My daughters watched our son play and couldn’t wait until they could play lacrosse. After their first practice they were really disappointed.
“It was stupid - you aren’t allowed to hit another player like the boys can!” They did it for a few years though and had fun.
Much more rewarding to go the the NBA.
They are indeed sir.
Hmm...if some players from Latin America “keep (this series) diverse” then what White players keep the NFL “diverse”? Considering Blacks are 13% of the population but are about 70% of NFL players. Where are the calls for more diversity in the NFL?
Oh wait! Silly me. I forgot. “Diversity” only works in one direction.
:: ...there’s obviously a lot of work to be done to create opportunities for Black kids... ::
Equality of outcomes will be the rule.
MLB will lower their advancement standards for US-born blacks and start fast tracking players of marginal ability through the minor leagues.
All just to satisfy the New York Times.
Someone needs to write a book, “Growing Up White in a Black Sport”.
Now, who would publish such a racist diatribe?
PS, you are correct about the intimidation.
I also make the observation that NCAA schools are limited to something like 12 baseball scholarships...Title IX and all... University of Tennessee has an outstanding baseball program but it is unheard of for a baseball player to get a full scholarship - a half scholarship at the most and many get a lot less than that.
With basketball and football, most of the players get full scholarships.
NIL may make baseball more attractive for student athletes - I’m not sure about that.
Young kids, and especially black kids aren’t enculturated toward baseball anymore. Rarely do you see pickup games on sandlots anymore.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.