Does this bother you too? - caution racial material – - Page 3

MIAdragon · 03-31-2007, 08:11 PM

I’m probably going to catch heat for this but…..

Let me caveat this by stating that by no means am I raciest in the slightest bit. Watching the Cards Indians game all you hear is how its just a travesty there are not more blacks in baseball and how we have to correct this obvious “problem”. Its not just this game its all over ESPN and the media. Why is this such a problem, is there something I’m missing? Have you ever heard we need more whites on basketball or the NFL? I haven’t and I’m guessing because that would be raciest. I know it shouldn’t but its starting to bother me.

listopencil · 03-31-2007, 09:11 PM

Only 8.4 Percent of MLB Players Black

Thursday, March 29, 2007

By RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK — Only 8.4 percent of major league players last season were black, the lowest level in at least two decades.

As recently as 1995, 19 percent of big leaguers were black, according to Richard Lapchick, director of the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports. Nine percent were black in both 2004 and 2005, and the current figure is the lowest since at least the mid-1980s, he said.

Just 3 percent of pitchers were blacks in 2006, Lapchick said Thursday in his annual study, the same as the previous year.

Lapchick gave baseball a B+ for racial diversity, the same as last year, and a C+ for gender, up from a C. Its overall grade improved from C+ to B.

"Jackie Robinson's dream was to increase the percentage of African-American players as well as coaches and front-office personnel," Lapchick said. "While MLB has achieved these new distinctions regarding who runs the game, the percentage of African-Americans playing the game reached a new low."

Baseball is holding its first "Civil Rights Game" exhibition in Memphis, Tenn., this weekend and is planning a celebration on April 15 to mark the 60th anniversary of Robinson breaking the sport's color barrier.

Cleveland pitcher C.C. Sabathia said this month that baseball must do more to promote the game in inner cities.

"It's not just a problem _ it's a crisis," he said.

Lapchick gave baseball a B+ for race and a C for gender for its senior administration hiring. When it came to team vice presidents, he gave a B for race and an F for gender. He gave a D for general managers _ Kenny Williams of the Chicago White Sox is the only black GM and Omar Minaya of the New York Mets is the only Latino GM. For the central offices, he gave an A+ for race and an A for gender.

http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Mar...ersity,00.html

listopencil · 03-31-2007, 09:13 PM

People who picked Black or African American in the 2005 census:

12.1% or 34.9 million

Also:

Some other race 6% or 17.3 million
Two or more races 1.9% or 5.6 million

Take that as you will.

Silock · 03-31-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Zach|

I imagine because there in fact isn't a lack of latinos in baseball.

That's what I was trying to get at, but didn't articulate very well.

Trying to enforce percentage of racial diversity is reeruned. Latinos make up 26% of MLB, but are 13% of the US population. Likewise, Blacks are 8% of baseball, but 13% of the population. However, blacks make up over 50% of the NFL. You'd have to replace over 500 white guys with black guys to make it look like America. Just let people play what they want to play.

|Zach| · 03-31-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silock

That's what I was trying to get at, but didn't articulate very well.

Trying to enforce percentage of racial diversity is reeruned. Latinos make up 26% of MLB, but are 13% of the US population. Likewise, Blacks are 8% of baseball, but 13% of the population. However, blacks make up over 50% of the NFL. You'd have to replace over 500 white guys with black guys to make it look like America. Just let people play what they want to play.

Are they trying to enforce anything? Seems like they are just trying to promote it to a certain audience.

It isn't like affirmative action or anything.

dj56dt58 · 03-31-2007, 10:17 PM

I heard them say that too...i was like wtf..seems like the majority of the players are black. I mean most pitchers seem to be white but every other position seems to be dominated by blacks...maybe it's just me...i dunno

listopencil · 03-31-2007, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj56dt58

I heard them say that too...i was like wtf..seems like the majority of the players are black. I mean most pitchers seem to be white but every other position seems to be dominated by blacks...maybe it's just me...i dunno

I think you are confusing well tanned Central and South Americans with black people.

DJ's left nut · 03-31-2007, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj56dt58

I heard them say that too...i was like wtf..seems like the majority of the players are black. I mean most pitchers seem to be white but every other position seems to be dominated by blacks...maybe it's just me...i dunno

It's just you.

Guys like Sosa and Edgar Renteria are not black, they're latin.

There really aren't a whole lot of black guys in baseball anymore. The Cardinals only have 1 off the top of my head (Preson Wilson...and he sucks). Willis, Crawford, Young, Sanders, Howard, Weeks, Griffey, Gary Matthews, CC Sabathia...I'm sure there are a bunch more, but it's still telling when you can count most of them.

As for the consequence of this.....who gives a flying @#!$% ?!?!

Black kids don't play baseball anymore, consequently they aren't as good at it. It's why latins dominate the game now, it's definitely the national pastime down there.

Then there's also the multi-sport consideration. Lets say we have a modern day Dave Winfield. Winfield was recruited for both MLB and the NBA. Nowadays, he could go to College, play 1 year and then go get a multi-million dollar contract. In baseball, he'd have to spend years in the minors or college, then play for the MLB minimum for 3 years. Granted, there are signing bonuses in MLB as well, but nowhere near the NFL and NBA dollars.

Sure, go ahead and enact programs designed to give inner city kids a chance to play (as a white guy, I would have loved to have something set up that allowed me to play more baseball after school), but I'm not one bit interested in hearing how this is some kind of crisis. If there is ever evidence that blacks are being passed in favor of inferior white guys (i.e. the 1940's), then something has to be done, but as long as the dearth of black players is a result of a dearth of GOOD black players, then what the hell do I care?

I really don't feel like having politics invade my sports.

Silock · 03-31-2007, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Zach|

Are they trying to enforce anything? Seems like they are just trying to promote it to a certain audience.

It isn't like affirmative action or anything.

Not enforce like creating rules like the NFL has done with coaches, but more in the "affirmation" or "Hey, we support this" kind of way.

I'm not being very clear with my statements tonight... perhaps it was the 22 oz prime rib I had for dinner

|Zach| · 03-31-2007, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silock

Not enforce like creating rules like the NFL has done with coaches, but more in the "affirmation" or "Hey, we support this" kind of way.

I'm not being very clear with my statements tonight... perhaps it was the 22 oz prime rib I had for dinner

Niiice.

teedubya · 03-31-2007, 11:47 PM

There needs to be more Mexican Bowlers.

03-31-2007, 08:11 PM
MIAdragon Someone pass the antifreeze Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Miami (North Cuba) Casino cash: $1047819	Does this bother you too? - caution racial material – I’m probably going to catch heat for this but….. Let me caveat this by stating that by no means am I raciest in the slightest bit. Watching the Cards Indians game all you hear is how its just a travesty there are not more blacks in baseball and how we have to correct this obvious “problem”. Its not just this game its all over ESPN and the media. Why is this such a problem, is there something I’m missing? Have you ever heard we need more whites on basketball or the NFL? I haven’t and I’m guessing because that would be raciest. I know it shouldn’t but its starting to bother me.
Posts: 15,778

03-31-2007, 09:11 PM	#31
listopencil Immanentize The Eschaton Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In Partibus Infidelium Casino cash: $1675880	Only 8.4 Percent of MLB Players Black Thursday, March 29, 2007 By RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK — Only 8.4 percent of major league players last season were black, the lowest level in at least two decades. As recently as 1995, 19 percent of big leaguers were black, according to Richard Lapchick, director of the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports. Nine percent were black in both 2004 and 2005, and the current figure is the lowest since at least the mid-1980s, he said. Just 3 percent of pitchers were blacks in 2006, Lapchick said Thursday in his annual study, the same as the previous year. Lapchick gave baseball a B+ for racial diversity, the same as last year, and a C+ for gender, up from a C. Its overall grade improved from C+ to B. "Jackie Robinson's dream was to increase the percentage of African-American players as well as coaches and front-office personnel," Lapchick said. "While MLB has achieved these new distinctions regarding who runs the game, the percentage of African-Americans playing the game reached a new low." Baseball is holding its first "Civil Rights Game" exhibition in Memphis, Tenn., this weekend and is planning a celebration on April 15 to mark the 60th anniversary of Robinson breaking the sport's color barrier. Cleveland pitcher C.C. Sabathia said this month that baseball must do more to promote the game in inner cities. "It's not just a problem _ it's a crisis," he said. Lapchick gave baseball a B+ for race and a C for gender for its senior administration hiring. When it came to team vice presidents, he gave a B for race and an F for gender. He gave a D for general managers _ Kenny Williams of the Chicago White Sox is the only black GM and Omar Minaya of the New York Mets is the only Latino GM. For the central offices, he gave an A+ for race and an A for gender. http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Mar...ersity,00.html __________________ Good friends we have had, oh, good friends we've lost...along the way. In this great future, you can't forget your past. So dry your tears, I say.
Posts: 56,065

03-31-2007, 09:13 PM	#32
listopencil Immanentize The Eschaton Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In Partibus Infidelium Casino cash: $1675880	People who picked Black or African American in the 2005 census: 12.1% or 34.9 million Also: Some other race 6% or 17.3 million Two or more races 1.9% or 5.6 million Take that as you will. __________________ Good friends we have had, oh, good friends we've lost...along the way. In this great future, you can't forget your past. So dry your tears, I say.
Posts: 56,065

03-31-2007, 10:17 PM	#35
dj56dt58 Banned Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $9960055	I heard them say that too...i was like wtf..seems like the majority of the players are black. I mean most pitchers seem to be white but every other position seems to be dominated by blacks...maybe it's just me...i dunno
Posts: 6,361

03-31-2007, 11:47 PM	#40
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9460002	There needs to be more Mexican Bowlers.
Posts: 36,664