Originally posted by bankybruce
Why the the race thing have to be brought into this? I do not even know what to say, other then wh thinks race issues up is retarted.
:twisted:
Here is a column from today's Tennessean. See especially the bolded part (my bolding) at the end.
Also, note today's sports poll - wish the Cards had to run a poll like that!!
Baseball ignoring decline of blacks in majors
Today's Sports Poll
What's the best way to get Titans tickets?
Ticket broker
Scalper
Telephone
Internet
Ticketmaster
Coliseum box office
I'd rather watch them on TV
Commentary by JOE BIDDLE
Staff Writer
How concerned is Major League Baseball about the shrinking number of American-born blacks playing the game today? It's a real problem.
They talk a good game but fail to capitalize by marketing Florida Marlins rookie pitcher Dontrelle Willis.
According to a study conducted at University of Central Florida, the percentage of American-born blacks in the big leagues is only 8%, a significant decrease of 17% since 1975.
Blacks are turning their backs on baseball. Can you blame them when they see LeBron James turn into a multi-millionaire just for wearing Nike? Just days after high school graduation, James became the NBA's No. 1 pick.
What black kid wants to spend four or five years riding on a bus in the minor leagues, with no guarantee they will ever cash a major league check?
Michael Coleman was a black football and baseball star at Stratford. Alabama wanted him as a tailback. He turned down the scholarship for baseball.
Coleman now plays for the Newark (N.J.) Bears, an independent Class A team. He had cups of coffee with the Red Sox and Yankees, but the majority of his 10-year professional career has been served in the minor leagues.
Although he is currently hitting .327 at Newark and was named to the Atlantic League All-Star team, Coleman's chances of ever getting another shot in the majors are slim.
Most blacks are choosing basketball and football over baseball.
Many view baseball as boring.
Basketball is cheaper and much easier to play all year.
Reggie Whittemore is a former black baseball player who wants to change all that. Whittemore played for McGavock's 1975 state championship team, then at Lipscomb University, where he won two NAIA national championships.
He played in the Red Sox organization, reaching the Triple-A level.
For the past seven years, Whittemore has spearheaded the R.B.I. (Reviving Baseball in Inner-cities) program for 6- to 18-year-old blacks, run in conjunction with the Boys & Girls Club.
The program started with six teams and has grown to 30 teams.
''We've got to the point now that we have done it for a while and we want more quality athletes. We want to condense our program somewhat and put more quality teams out there,'' Whittemore said.
Leagues are nice for the masses but don't necessarily translate into turning out future major league players.
''We want to have a year-round training facility,'' Whittemore said. ''A place where kids can train all year. That's the only way we are going to be competitive in this city.''
That takes resources. They will need a facility, batting cages and instructors.
He admits it's an uphill climb as Major League Baseball has become more of an international sport with a heavy Latin presence.
Even when the sport gets a chance to promote an up-and-coming black player, it goofs.
Willis is an exciting pitcher with a unique delivery. He has put up solid All-Star credentials.
Yet, he wasn't picked for the team.
Baseball dropped the ball.
Joe Biddle is a Tennessean sports columnist. He can be reached at 259-8255 or e-mail
[email protected].
