Is Joe Morgan a racist?

[nyscene911]

Once again, he brings up race when talking sports....

Sean (San Jose, Costa Rica): Hey Joe, do you have any interest in todays draft?

Joe Morgan: (11:10 AM ET ) Yes. Only to see what the makeup of the draft looks like. I would like to see more African American players drafted. It is better for the game if more inner city kids are drafted.


How is it better for the game if African American "inner city" kids are drafted? Wouldn't drafting the best player be the goal of the draft? Sure the % of blacks in MLB has gone down, but I'd probably attribute that to the rising number of Latin American players and the huge popularity of the NBA.

So yeah, back to question--Is Joe Morgan racist?

[Mantana Soss]

Raceaphobes are worst than racists these days. It's alright to talk about it.

[nyscene911]

"Raceaphobe" is a new one. What is it, people who are afraid to touch on race in any context?

[LolTolhurst]

The only thing we hate worse than a racist, is spics.


-Strangers With Candy

[fenwyr]

That's not a racist statement.

[nyscene911]

That's not a racist statement.
I agree. I don't particular think its racist, nor really care(I saw this posted on the ESPN board, figured I'd get opinions from here as well).

The other side of the coin is, for example, Steve Phillips says that MLB teams should continue to primarily draft white players, since they can "more relate with our fans" and are good for the game. Would the media produce a huge outcry over that, do you think?

[kinghenry89]

I agree. I don't particular think its racist, nor really care(I saw this posted on the ESPN board, figured I'd get opinions from here as well).

The other side of the coin is, for example, Steve Phillips says that MLB teams should continue to primarily draft white players, since they can "more relate with our fans" and are good for the game. Would the media produce a huge outcry over that, do you think?
Of course. Not drafting black players because black people make them uncomfortable is incredibly racist.

What Joe Morgan is saying is that he'd like there to be more African-Americans in the draft because the number black players in the league is rapidly declining. I think that everybody knows that's a bad thing.

[AMJets]

No, he's just stupid. Big difference.

[odessa14]

No it's not racist, because he's saying there should be more blacks. But god forbid if he said the same for whites. He would be forced to resign and apologize, the whole nine. So since he's saying there should be more blacks, it's not racist. If he said there should be more whites, the shit would hit the fan and yes that would be racist. Anything remotely pro white is racist, in these gay liberal times.

[boomer]

He's probably not racist, but what he said still bothers me. Afr Americans aren't playing baseball simply because they don't want to. Whats next, a feminist complaining about the lack of women drafted?

[Learn To Swim]

I voted yes. I don't actually think he is, but I hate that dumbass and it makes me feel better if I insult his character.

[ThunderbirdJet]

It's always OK to say more blacks this or that, but say that about whites.... and you enter the racist hall of fame. Yes, it's a racist comment, founded in the "whitey keeping us down" train of thought.

The Mets almost completely purged themselves of white players....what did Morgan have to say about that? Nada.

I find that these black comedy shows are easilly the most racist stuff out there in mainstream media, but noone says chit about it. It's OK to hate whitey, ya know.

[odessa14]

It's always OK to say more blacks this or that, but say that about whites.... and you enter the racist hall of fame. Yes, it's a racist comment, founded in the "whitey keeping us down" train of thought.

The Mets almost completely purged themselves of white players....what did Morgan have to say about that? Nada.

I find that these black comedy shows are easilly the most racist stuff out there in mainstream media, but noone says chit about it. It's OK to hate whitey, ya know.


Of course, we owe blacky so much. I mean we keep them down and we had them as slaves. So what if it's something that we ddin't do and it's something that never happened to them, we still owe them so much. Where all bad white devils, we have to help struggling blacky*tear*.

it's a sarcastic post.

[jonnyd]

im all set on this one

[1028]

Why does it matter though? How and why does this concern me anyway?

[Martin&theJETS]

i voted yes for the fun of it i really dont care.

[typeOnegative13NY]

Well,the number of Blacks in baseball IS declining,but the number of Hispanics in increasing. So,whats Morgans point?

[Learn To Swim]

Well,the number of Blacks in baseball IS declining,but the number of Hispanics in increasing. So,whats Morgans point?That he's right and you are wrong. All of you.

[FirstTimeCaller]

He is a racist, but not based on this example. What I don't understand is why fewer black players is bad for the game. Is fewer white players bad for NBA and NFL???

[plinko]

everyone is a little racist.

[Jonathan_Vilma]

Maybe he just knows who can ball.

[LolTolhurst]

everyone is a little racist.
true...I never have jungle fever...the thought sickens me

[l3ol3o]

He is a racist, but not based on this example. What I don't understand is why fewer black players is bad for the game. Is fewer white players bad for NBA and NFL???


Bingo. The best players will play in the league no matter if they are black, white, orange, or green. Its better for the league to have better players. What a concept that is.

[kinghenry89]

No it's not racist, because he's saying there should be more blacks. But god forbid if he said the same for whites. He would be forced to resign and apologize, the whole nine. So since he's saying there should be more blacks, it's not racist. If he said there should be more whites, the shit would hit the fan and yes that would be racist. Anything remotely pro white is racist, in these gay liberal times.

That's one of the stupidest things I've ever read.

Basically what Morgan is saying is that diversity is good. Diversity exposes you to different cultures and people. Baseball used to be filled with black players. As a former black baseball player, Joe Morgan is dissapointed that the number of blacks in baseball is rapidly declining.

Well,the number of Blacks in baseball IS declining,but the number of Hispanics in increasing. So,whats Morgans point?

Believe it or not, blacks and hispanics are not the same thing. The rising number of Dominicans in baseball has absolutely nothing to with the declining number of blacks.

If Morgan had said "I wish less white players got drafted" it would be one thing. What he said is totally different.

[BIG COUNTRY]

If someone said there needs to be more white people in the NBA a shitstorm would be brought on them. Morgan can say this and get away with it, I dont feel its racist yet I voted yes because if it happened the other way around its racist. So my vote is basically a big FU to the media.

[odessa14]

That's one of the stupidest things I've ever read.

Basically what Morgan is saying is that diversity is good. Diversity exposes you to different cultures and people. Baseball used to be filled with black players. As a former black baseball player, Joe Morgan is dissapointed that the number of blacks in baseball is rapidly declining.



Believe it or not, blacks and hispanics are not the same thing. The rising number of Dominicans in baseball has absolutely nothing to with the declining number of blacks.

If Morgan had said "I wish less white players got drafted" it would be one thing. What he said is totally different.

So instead of having the best players for the game, we'll have affirmitive action in sports also, woo hoo. It's so true when they say diversity is the destruction of excellence.

also how does diverisity expose us to different cultures in a game? I think the only thing that teams and the fans want, is to win.

[typeOnegative13NY]

Believe it or not, blacks and hispanics are not the same thing. The rising number of Dominicans in baseball has absolutely nothing to with the declining number of blacks.

If Morgan had said "I wish less white players got drafted" it would be one thing. What he said is totally different.
:rofl: I know they are not the same thing. I just think Morgans comment was stupid. Maybe there are just less black players going towards baseball these days. My point is that no one is stopping them from towards baseball,so Morgans comment was not placed well as he didn't need to bring that into it. Race is certainly not an issue in baseball,it just so happens that these days the best players,or most of them are coming from the latin direction.


*Edit* Maybe I should just STFU because to tell you the truth,I didn't even hear the guy say this. I read it in this thread for the first time.

[1028]

Believe it or not, blacks and hispanics are not the same thing.
No WAY!?? :ohmy:

[LolTolhurst]

If someone said there needs to be more white people in the NBA a shitstorm would be brought on them. Morgan can say this and get away with it, I dont feel its racist yet I voted yes because if it happened the other way around its racist. So my vote is basically a big FU to the media.
true, definitely a double-standard these days

[jetophile]

Raceaphobes are worst than racists these days. It's alright to talk about it.
Whether or not you meant your avatar to be incendiary or a joke, man, is that poor. Maybe I'm missing something, and if I am, I'm glad. It's alright for me to talk about it.

[Cakes]

Well,the number of Blacks in baseball IS declining,but the number of Hispanics in increasing. So,whats Morgans point?


His point is that more black people will attend games, buy MLB merchandise, support the game of baseball, etc. if more black players are drafted and eventually make the Major Leagues.
And that is why he feels more blacks in baseball will be good for the game of baseball. His comment was hardly a racist comment.

[Mantana Soss]

Whether or not you meant your avatar to be incendiary or a joke, man, is that poor. Maybe I'm missing something, and if I am, I'm glad. It's alright for me to talk about it.

Kicking a dude in the balls is no problem, but a plunger to a girl's face is significantly worse, eh? It was meant to be short lived anyway.

[typeOnegative13NY]

His point is that more black people will attend games, buy MLB merchandise, support the game of baseball, etc. if more black players are drafted and eventually make the Major Leagues.
And that is why he feels more blacks in baseball will be good for the game of baseball. His comment was hardly a racist comment.
No,thats not racist at all,but if a player is good,then they will be drafted. I don't think him commenting on race was nessasary. To me it sounds like he was saying,hey theres a bunch of black players but no one is picking thm because they are black. Maybe he would have been better off saying something like base ball needs to be re-introduced to the black youth of America.

[WhiteShoeWillis]

Why does it matter how many black/white/hispanic players are in MLB?

I think we need more oriental people on this site. Does this not sound just as rediculous?

[Cakes]

To me it sounds like he was saying,hey theres a bunch of black players but no one is picking thm because they are black.


He's not saying people (read: the whites making these player selections) are passing over blacks because they are black.

He is saying that more black people will follow baseball when more black players start playing. I don't think he said or implied that he wants affirmative action put in place. He was just saying that he hopes more black players are drafted, which would indicate that more black kids are playing the sport once again. Then maybe the percentage of blacks in the big leagues will increase, which would mean more money and fans for baseball because after all people tend to follow and like stuff they can relate to. Look at all the whites these days that are turned off on basketball. #1 reason I hear is due to the lack of whites and the hip-hop/thug culture permeating through the league.

[Cakes]

Why does it matter how many black/white/hispanic players are in MLB?

I think we need more oriental people on this site. Does this not sound just as rediculous?


If people were watching us post and paying money to see our typed words, then it would be good to have some Asians here. It would bring in the Asian fans, which would result in more support for this site.

[LolTolhurst]

I think we need more oriental people on this site.

yeah, this site could use a couple number-crunchers














j/k

[WhiteShoeWillis]

If people were watching us post and paying money to see our typed words, then it would be good to have some Asians here. It would bring in the Asian fans, which would result in more support for this site.
Why would anyone give a sh!t whether the players of the sport they're watching are black/white/hispanic? I think people watch sports for a number of reasons, but because their are a bunch of (insert race here) players on TV is probably not high on many peoples lists. I'm sure I could be completely wrong but I'd be very surprised to find out otherwise.

[Cakes]

Why would anyone give a sh!t whether the players of the sport they're watching are black/white/hispanic?

Many people do care. Some black people started following golf after Tiger Woods appeared.


Look, many things come down to money. The more blacks in baseball, the more likely there will be more black stars in baseball. It helps in marketing the sport to black people. This brings in money.

This is a money issue. Morgan's comment was money-related.

[Royal Tee]

Many people do care. Some black people started following golf after Tiger Woods appeared.
Partially true.
The fact is , There were many black golfers who were/are not allowed to play at the "prestegious " Courses.

They may be more watching but he mostly made an impact to the younger generation.

btw, I have no problem w/ Joe Morgan's statement. Although I believe the best players should be drafted for their game not their race, he is entitled to his opinion and he believes that the game would be better.

[GreenMachine]

Partially true.
The fact is , There were many black golfers who were/are not allowed to play at the "prestegious " Courses.

They may be more watching but he mostly made an impact to the younger generation.

btw, I have no problem w/ Joe Morgan's statement. Although I believe the best players should be drafted for their game not their race, he is entitled to his opinion and he believes that the game would be better.
Tiger Woods for some reason will never be known as the greatest Asian-American golfer.

[Jetfanmack]

firejoemorgan.blogspot.com

[WesleyWuzTheMan]

Joe Morgan's concern is that baseball is losing its blackness, not just on the field but in its fan base. Blacks simply don't care about baseball the way they once did. When fewer blacks are playing, even less are watching. As a black guy who loves baseball, this concerns him. I don't know what he's suggesting should be a solution, but I agree its a problem if baseball is supposed to be the national pastime, rather than hockey on grass.

I used to pick up on comments by Morgan that I thought were subtly racist, then I began wondering if I was being more the racist for noticing them. Something along similar lines seems to be going on here.

[Royal Tee]

I think something here is also being blown out of nothing.

He doesn't speak ill of other races just propagates his own.
Why does that make him a racist?

Everyone is "pro-*their race*" but because he is, that makes him a racist???

I think it has to be looked at for what it is and not what some of you want it to be.

[nyjunc]

Raceaphobes are worst than racists these days. It's alright to talk about it.

What happens if Jeff Brantley says "I want to see more white players drafted, it makes the game more interesting to me"- then the media is all ver him but morgan says that and it's ok? WHO CARES what race the players are, the best players deserve to make it whether they are white, black or whatever.

[Mantana Soss]

What happens if Jeff Brantley says "I want to see more white players drafted, it makes the game more interesting to me"- then the media is all ver him but morgan says that and it's ok? WHO CARES what race the players are, the best players deserve to make it whether they are white, black or whatever.

Sure the best players deserve the job, but like it or not, people are going to look out for their own... whether it be race, religion, even sports fanhood. Joe Morgan wants more black people, and I'd take the Jet fan over the Patriot fan...

People are different, there's no way around it, and there's no use being afraid to talk about it.

He's not saying "I want less white people" - as if he is hating on another race... he said he wants more black people, because he's black! I don't see the controversiality.

[jetophile]

Kicking a dude in the balls is no problem, but a plunger to a girl's face is significantly worse, eh? It was meant to be short lived anyway.
While you'd certainly rack up points and win that argument in a court of law on principle, "self-defense" silliness and mock ass-kicking as compared to something degrading don't have the same tone in spirit by a long shot. It isn't a matter of PC (which I hate), it's a matter of respect, Soss. If you can't see how someone might look askance at that, I don't know what to tell you - with the exception that my Dad taught me everything I know. Fancy that.

[JetBlue]

rapidly declining. I think that everybody knows that's a bad thing.
and how is that a bad thing. the diminishing numbers of blacks in MLB is attributable to the declining interest of blacks in the sport. as long as the quality of play isn't diminished by their absence, their absence is not a bad thing for the sport.

so I reiterate, how is it bad if blacks choose not to play?

[WesleyWuzTheMan]

It's bad for the sport if people who used to care about it don't anymore.

[Cakes]

and how is that a bad thing. the diminishing numbers of blacks in MLB is attributable to the declining interest of blacks in the sport. as long as the quality of play isn't diminished by their absence, their absence is not a bad thing for the sport.

so I reiterate, how is it bad if blacks choose not to play?


I see you failed to read my posts in this here thread.

[kinghenry89]

:rofl: I know they are not the same thing. I just think Morgans comment was stupid. Maybe there are just less black players going towards baseball these days. My point is that no one is stopping them from towards baseball,so Morgans comment was not placed well as he didn't need to bring that into it. Race is certainly not an issue in baseball,it just so happens that these days the best players,or most of them are coming from the latin direction.


*Edit* Maybe I should just STFU because to tell you the truth,I didn't even hear the guy say this. I read it in this thread for the first time.

I'm sorry, obviously you know the difference. That came out more aggressive than I wanted.



He's not saying people (read: the whites making these player selections) are passing over blacks because they are black.

He is saying that more black people will follow baseball when more black players start playing. I don't think he said or implied that he wants affirmative action put in place. He was just saying that he hopes more black players are drafted, which would indicate that more black kids are playing the sport once again. Then maybe the percentage of blacks in the big leagues will increase, which would mean more money and fans for baseball because after all people tend to follow and like stuff they can relate to. Look at all the whites these days that are turned off on basketball. #1 reason I hear is due to the lack of whites and the hip-hop/thug culture permeating through the league.

^^Smart :)


So instead of having the best players for the game, we'll have affirmitive action in sports also, woo hoo. It's so true when they say diversity is the destruction of excellence.

^^Not smart. :sad:

I don't see why people read that quote as Joe Morgan saying that teams should stop drafting white players and instead hand their jobs to less skilled black players. You're just reading what you want to see so you can rip Affirmative Action.

All he said was that diversity is good for the game. That's it.

[KOZ]

No it's not racist.

Racist would be "there's too many cracka-ass-cracka's" in the league....

[Mickey Shuler 82]

Once again, he brings up race when talking sports....



How is it better for the game if African American "inner city" kids are drafted? Wouldn't drafting the best player be the goal of the draft? Sure the % of blacks in MLB has gone down, but I'd probably attribute that to the rising number of Latin American players and the huge popularity of the NBA.

So yeah, back to question--Is Joe Morgan racist?
I would say two things:

1) what’s “better for the game” in the end is to have the best players in the world play in MLB, regardless of their national origin or their race. Putting 2nd-rate talent on the field, whether it be from Nebraska, NYC or Tokyo, does a disservice to the game, alienates current fans and gives today’s non-fans of the game no reason to tune in and watch.

2) the comment is almost more racist vs. his own race than Whites, Hispanics, etc.. He implies that African Americans only live in inner cities. That suggests that African Americans are confined to over-populated, under-served, high-crime and potentially decaying sections of our country. He probably didn’t mean to make that association, but it could be read that way.

[Mantana Soss]

While you'd certainly rack up points and win that argument in a court of law on principle, "self-defense" silliness and mock ass-kicking as compared to something degrading don't have the same tone in spirit by a long shot. It isn't a matter of PC (which I hate), it's a matter of respect, Soss. If you can't see how someone might look askance at that, I don't know what to tell you - with the exception that my Dad taught me everything I know. Fancy that.

I know you and understand your viewpoint on this kind of stuff, but I think it's too extreme. No male is going to look at a girl taking a plunger to the face and say, "hah, I guess we men are better after all."

It's not a gender based thing. A male in that situation would probably be just as funny, but because it happened to be a girl, you see something degrading to women. It's like if you saw a 5 second video of a crowd booing at a black man as he walked off the baseball diamond in the 60s... first thing anyone would think of is that it is racism.

Maybe he just struck out with the bases loaded. Maybe he's on the opposing team and punched out someone on the home team, and then got ejected. I think assumptions create the degradation more that what is told by what one actually sees.

[Cakes]

I would say two things:

1) what’s “better for the game” in the end is to have the best players in the world play in MLB, regardless of their national origin or their race. Putting 2nd-rate talent on the field, whether it be from Nebraska, NYC or Tokyo, does a disservice to the game, alienates current fans and gives today’s non-fans of the game no reason to tune in and watch.

2) the comment is almost more racist vs. his own race than Whites, Hispanics, etc.. He implies that African Americans only live in inner cities. That suggests that African Americans are confined to over-populated, under-served, high-crime and potentially decaying sections of our country. He probably didn’t mean to make that association, but it could be read that way.


^This was a pretty good post.

I think Morgan would agree the best players should play regardless of their race. I think his quote here was more of a hopeful comment. He's hoping more black kids got drafted for the reasons I mentioned earlier in this thread.

[Italian Seafood]

Fuck, I voted wrong. You confused me fucker!! I meant to vote yes, not the opposite of yes. Damn it. I'm a Dodger fan so I've always hated Joe Morgan. In fact I hated the Big Red Machine so much as a kid it's one of the major reasons I'm an LA fan in the first place.

I'm tired of his one man campaign to bring more blacks back into baseball, too. Who exactly is telling them they can't play? They could play if they want to, most would rather play hoops. So what? I would too if given the choice and I'm white, is that a crisis? There's no white guys in the shoe shine business, you don't hear me bitching. Let people do what they want to.

[jetophile]

I know you and understand your viewpoint on this kind of stuff, but I think it's too extreme. No male is going to look at a girl taking a plunger to the face and say, "hah, I guess we men are better after all."

It's not a gender based thing. A male in that situation would probably be just as funny, but because it happened to be a girl, you see something degrading to women. It's like if you saw a 5 second video of a crowd booing at a black man as he walked off the baseball diamond in the 60s... first thing anyone would think of is that it is racism.

Maybe he just struck out with the bases loaded. Maybe he's on the opposing team and punched out someone on the home team, and then got ejected. I think assumptions create the degradation more that what is told by what one actually sees.
Who said anything about one gender trumping another? Don't paint me as humorless or narrow, Soss. I don't hold anything sacred, but sometimes even things out of context are what they are. A topless girl with a plunger to the face vs. what? I know you to a fashion as well, which is why it surprised me. I'm not going to belabor it and you don't have to justify it. Disappointing is all.

[Mantana Soss]

Who said anything about one gender trumping another? Don't paint me as humorless or narrow, Soss. I don't hold anything sacred, but sometimes even things out of context are what they are. A topless girl with a plunger to the face vs. what? I know you to a fashion as well, which is why it surprised me. I'm not going to belabor it and you don't have to justify it. Disappointing is all.

I'm not painting you as anything, but it offends you because it's a female getting that plunger. I seek humor, not degradation. If that was man, woman, or horse getting that toiletry tool in the face, it would make me laugh, because that's what I happen to enjoy: toilet humor and potty mouths.

[nyjunc]

Sure the best players deserve the job, but like it or not, people are going to look out for their own... whether it be race, religion, even sports fanhood. Joe Morgan wants more black people, and I'd take the Jet fan over the Patriot fan...

People are different, there's no way around it, and there's no use being afraid to talk about it.

He's not saying "I want less white people" - as if he is hating on another race... he said he wants more black people, because he's black! I don't see the controversiality.

You are missing the point, if a white commentator says the game needs more whites he's branded a racist and he's exiled from the game but a black commentator says he wants more blacks and everything is ok.

[Cakes]

You are missing the point, if a white commentator says the game needs more whites he's branded a racist and he's exiled from the game but a black commentator says he wants more blacks and everything is ok.


The minority can get away with it.
The majority cannot get away with it.
That's the way it is.

[Rebel Mike]

You can't take blacks out of baseball, as it was so eloquently put it in Mississippi Burning, "I love baseball, you know it's the one time a black man can swing a bat towards white people and not get killed?" :rofl:

[davecrazy]

nobody understands what he meant.

SI had an article a few months back (maybe a year ago or so) about how few american black kids are getting into baseball anymore. Most inner-city black kids are gravitating to football and basketball.

Guys like Cliff Floyd and Dontrell Willis are actually pretty rare, the majority of black baseball players are from South America now.

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MLB: Only 8% of major leaguers black
BOB NIGHTENGALE
USA TODAY
MINNEAPOLIS - Torii Hunter scans the stands during the national anthem. The Minnesota Twins' center fielder is not looking for a particular face. Just a black face.
He stops after a few minutes. It's no different in Minneapolis than in Detroit, St. Louis, Atlanta, Los Angeles or Chicago. He can count the number of African-American fans on one hand, usually never more than two.
Why should it be so surprising, though, if there are fewer African-Americans on the field?
"It's a legitimate problem," commissioner Bud Selig says. "We're trying to do something about it."

Baseball's African-American population has dwindled from 27 percent in 1975 to 8 percent, lowest since baseball was fully integrated in 1959. Baseball has launched programs to counteract the decline, from the RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) to building a Youth Baseball Academy in Compton, Calif. But progress has been slow.
"This decline didn't happen overnight," says Tom Brasuell, Major League Baseball's vice president for community affairs, "so progress won't happen overnight, either."
Hunter, 30, and several African-American players have grown tired of waiting. They are contributing $10,000 apiece to launch an urban Little League program, the "Torii Hunter Project (ToriiHunter48.com)," inviting players of all races and nationalities to contribute. It is designed to sway inner-city youths toward baseball, providing equipment and transportation and upgrading facilities.
"We talk about this problem among ourselves all of the time. We call it a 'blackout,' " says Baltimore Orioles reliever LaTroy Hawkins, 33, who has sent in his check. "There's just not many of us left. Pretty soon, there will be none of us around. We heard all of the excuses. So we're doing something about it ourselves."
Twins left fielder Shannon Stewart, 32, was the first to submit his check. Soon came checks from New York Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield, 37; Seattle designated hitter Carl Everett, 35 on Saturday; Tampa Bay shortstop B.J. Upton, 21; and his brother, minor leaguer Justin, 18. Cincinnati Reds star Ken Griffey Jr., 36, made the most recent $10,000 pledge.
Others came from Chicago Cubs' first baseman Derrek Lee, 30; and right fielder Jacque Jones, 31; Seattle left fielder Matt Lawton, 34; and Tampa Bay outfielder Joey Gathright, 25.
"We know people have been trying, but it's time to take things in our own hands," Hunter says. "I don't see more inner-city kids playing baseball. It seems like it's just getting worse. So we want to do it ourselves. . . . No advertising people. No one from the commissioner's office. . . . We, as players, are going to see what we can do about it."
That draws rousing support from Selig and others in baseball.
"This is exactly what baseball needs," Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi says. "Let's face it, we're doing a lousy job getting the African-American kids playing baseball. It's almost like we've had this elitist attitude. It's like we're saying, 'This is baseball, you should play our game.'
"Well, those days are over. We're losing almost all of the inner-city athletes to basketball and football. And that's sad. Here's a game that prides itself on Hank Aaron and Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson, and we can't get the next generation to even play."
Only 10 to 15 African-American players are projected to be taken in the first five rounds of this month's amateur draft, according to Logan White, the Los Angeles Dodgers' amateur scouting director. Only high school pitcher Jeremy Jeffress from South Boston, Va., is a likely candidate to be taken in the first round, White says. According to the NCAA, only 6 percent of collegiate baseball players are African-American.
"We're not asleep. We go in and scout the players," White says. "I'm all over the country . . . and the (lack) of African-Americans playing college baseball would shock people."
White says baseball "has become such a socioeconomic game now."
"The average family can't afford to spend $1,500 to have their son playing traveling baseball or $100 for hitting and pitching lessons," he says. "We need to get these kids playing, and that starts from the floor up."
Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith attended Locke High School in south central Los Angeles, as did Hall of Famer Eddie Murray, and he believes one of the biggest problems is patience.
"These kids are all looking for the quick fix," Smith, 51, says. "When they see players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron (James) go straight from high school to the NBA, that's their focus. It's not like the Latin American countries, where baseball is still the king. It's time to beat the bushes. It's time to send a message about our sport . . . before it's too late."

[Mantana Soss]

You are missing the point, if a white commentator says the game needs more whites he's branded a racist and he's exiled from the game but a black commentator says he wants more blacks and everything is ok.

For a white guy to come on and say the game needs more whites WOULD BE racist, because the mlb is a majority white league. Wanting an increase on 7% is a lot different than wanting an increase on, whatever it may be, 60%.

[LolTolhurst]

The minority can get away with it.
The majority cannot get away with it.
That's the way it is.
yeah, and that's fucked up:mad:

[ROCaMOB]

I guess we could all learn a few things from Mr. Morgan
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[FirstTimeCaller]

Morgan is commenting on the effect instead of the cause. What he should have said is "I wish more black players were developed enough to be drafted". The draft is a business it should be based on production not ethnicity.

[Cman55]

When you look at the big picture, only 8% of all MLB players are black. That number is getting lower each year and MLB is trying to present a more diverse face to the public. Its hard to attract Black people to a sport that doesn't have black players. Hockey is a great example of that. There are more Black fans of Soccer.

I would say JM isn't being racist by his remark, but as one of the few remaining Black representatives of MLB players and a HOF, his POV is a valid one and needs to be addressed.

NBA is almost all black. So is the NFL. for MLB to become all Latino is just another form of self segregation and needs to be addressed in all sports. Not just MLB.

JMHO

[FirstTimeCaller]

Its hard to attract Black people to a sport that doesn't have black players. Hockey is a great example of that. There are more Black fans of Soccer.

That theory comes into question when you look at the NFL and NBA where the overwhelming majority of fans are white yet the majority of players are black.

[WhiteShoeWillis]

For a white guy to come on and say the game needs more whites WOULD BE racist, because the mlb is a majority white league. Wanting an increase on 7% is a lot different than wanting an increase on, whatever it may be, 60%.
You're right, but what do you think the reaction would be if a commentator said the NFL needs more white players?

[Cakes]

That theory comes into question when you look at the NFL and NBA where the overwhelming majority of fans are white yet the majority of players are black.


That's just the fans attending games. I know lots of blacks who follow the NBA but never go to games.

I don't know how this ties into anything we're discussin' here, but black people do tend to fill out boxing arenas.

[WesleyWuzTheMan]

That theory comes into question when you look at the NFL and NBA where the overwhelming majority of fans are white yet the majority of players are black.

I wouldn't say "overwhelming." Like Cakes says, a lot of blacks watch NBA and NFL games at home, and are part of the fan base without spending the (high) cost of event tickets. I would imagine the proportion of black NBA fans are slightly higher than the proportion of blacks to other races in this country.

Whites do watch NBA games even though whites are in a distinct minority there, but is it really the same thing as blacks turning from baseball because the numbers of black players are diminishing? It may be a case of confusing chicken and egg, because the lack of black fan interest in baseball may be reflected in fewer black baseball players, and not the other way around as Morgan seemed to posit it, but whites watch basketball, or listen to rap music, in large part because it's cool to do so in white culture. Do blacks have the same willingness to embrace a sport where they are a rapidly diminishing minority? Given their historic experience in American culture, I can well understand them turning away, and I think the sport is poorer for it.

[nyjunc]

The minority can get away with it.
The majority cannot get away with it.
That's the way it is.

I know that i just don't believe it should work that way.

For a white guy to come on and say the game needs more whites WOULD BE racist, because the mlb is a majority white league. Wanting an increase on 7% is a lot different than wanting an increase on, whatever it may be, 60%.

Oh so if a white guy came out said said the NBA needs mroe white players it would be ok? B/c I remember Larry Bird 2 years ago saying something similar and he got roasted for it and he didn't say the BA NEEDED more whites he just said he thought sine the fan base was mostly white he thought fans would want to see a few more white stars and that's very different from saying the game would be more exciting if the league added more white players.