Sheffield has theory why fewer blacks play MLB

ABC News ^ | 06/03/07 | staff

[Kid Shelleen]

The percentage of African-Americans playing Major League Baseball is at an all-time low and Gary Sheffield says he has a theory why that's the case.

--snip--

In an interview with GQ magazine that's currently on newsstands, the typically outspoken Tigers designated hitter said Latin players have replaced African-Americans as baseball's most prevalent minority because they are easier to control.

[johnny7]

Which leads me to my original question that I posed when the Tigers acquired Scheffield. Why?

They had a dissension-deficit...

[kjo]

Agreed. Getting Sheffield was not a smart move for Detroit. They had a real good balance of personalities; adding his huge salary could not have helped.

[cripplecreek]

I went to a Tigers game with my dad last weekend. They lost but it was a good time. It’s been years and I hope it won’t be the last time.

[reg45]

It’s because those Latinos “do the jobs Americans won’t do”.

[cripplecreek]

The two run shot he just hit in the first inning might be one reason.

[Michael.SF.]

they were not making that kind of money.

To be honest, I was also very much surprised at the figures as well.

[FreedomPoster]

Let’s not forget lacrosse, while we’re at it.

[Colinsky]

I'd like to see statistics on the racial, ethnic, and national mix of the minor leagues in this country.

As a data point, here are the surnames of the players in last night's Single A game, Bakersfield at San Jose:

Bakersfield:
Mehl
Smith
Mayberry
Teagarden
Berkery
Furtado
Cadena
Thon
Valchka
Walker
Diaz
Pluta

San Jose:
Bocock
Haines
Contreras
Von Schell
Copeland
Mooney
Marould
Sandoval
Boyer
Martinez
Foltin
Pendley


San Jose won 9-3 behind a pair of home runs by Von Schell.

[Colinsky]

I'd like to see statistics on the racial, ethnic, and national mix of the minor leagues in this country.

As a data point, here are the surnames of the players in last night's Single A game, Bakersfield at San Jose:

Bakersfield:
Mehl
Smith
Mayberry
Teagarden
Berkery
Furtado
Cadena
Thon
Valchka
Walker
Diaz
Pluta

San Jose:
Bocock
Haines
Contreras
Von Schell
Copeland
Mooney
Marould
Sandoval
Boyer
Martinez
Foltin
Pendley


San Jose won 9-3 behind a pair of home runs by Von Schell.

[Colinsky]

I'd like to see statistics on the racial, ethnic, and national mix of the minor leagues in this country.

As a data point, here are the surnames of the players in last night's Single A game, Bakersfield at San Jose:

Bakersfield:
Mehl
Smith
Mayberry
Teagarden
Berkery
Furtado
Cadena
Thon
Valchka
Walker
Diaz
Pluta

San Jose:
Bocock
Haines
Contreras
Von Schell
Copeland
Mooney
Marould
Sandoval
Boyer
Martinez
Foltin
Pendley


San Jose won 9-3 behind a pair of home runs by Von Schell.

[grellis]

...and we finally beat the Indians!

[cripplecreek]

Looks like we’ll pull off another win today too. The Tigers will be a force to be reckoned with once they get the bullpen back into shape.

[CardShark]

That’s very interesting.

I don’t have any personal experience like you, but was under the impression it’s how high you were drafted. If you were drafted in the top ten rounds, you can make a good living even if you never make the Show. If you were drafted after that and don’t have as much “upside” you could struggle financially by a lot of years in the minors.

I mean, obviously higher draft picks are going to get paid more, but I always thought there was a big discrepancy.

[muawiyah]

It’s also a HIGHLY PAID sport.

[toddlintown]

They’re too busy crowding out white guys over at the NBA?

[Former Proud Canadian]

Here is why they got Sheffield. He is a professional hitter. Opponents actually fear this guy. As such he makes every hitter around him better. Guys are lining up to hit in front of Sheffield because the pitchers don't want to walk the man in front of him. Why do you think Polo is doing so well this year? He's getting more balls to hit. Who hits behind Sheffield? Ordonez, who is having a career year. Coincidence? I don't think so.

Besides his skill, Dombrowski and Leland love this guy. He helped them win a World Series in Florida.