Gary Sheffield: Why there aren't more Blacks in MLB.
 

....so in a recent interview in GQ Magazine, Gary Sheffield, idiot, reveals his theory on why there aren't more African Americans playing professional baseball.

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.

"I called it years ago. What I called is that you're going to see more black faces, but there ain't no English going to be coming out. … [It's about] being able to tell [Latin players] what to do -- being able to control them," he told the magazine.

"Where I'm from, you can't control us. You might get a guy to do it that way for a while because he wants to benefit, but in the end, he is going to go back to being who he is. And that's a person that you're going to talk to with respect, you're going to talk to like a man.

"These are the things my race demands. So, if you're equally good as this Latin player, guess who's going to get sent home? I know a lot of players that are home now can outplay a lot of these guys."..............

That may hold some truth because all athletes have to be able to be controlled. Given the race ratio in MLB, you would have to understand what stake the athletes have in conforming to the demands and see of those different stakes are what make the race ratio what it is.

There are more Latinos in MLB and some of them are of the African Diaspora.

This is fairly obviously true on at least some level (the level of coaching or willingness to be coached, first of all) - however, I think it's demonstrably false to say that there are 'better' black athletes 'sitting at home' while lower-caliber latinos take their spots.

I say this is demonstrable because baseball, partly due to its roster sizes and extensive minor league system, has long shown willingness to take on any player problems as long as production attends. In fact, Sheffield himself might be one of the best indicators of this phenomenon - in that way, MLB is much closer to football than other sports (see: TO).

We can name any number of similar scenarios, ranging from Julio Lugo's exile from Houston to Elijah Duke's voice mail proclivities - no matter how uncoachable or clubhouse-cancerous you're considered, someone will take a chance.

I love Sheff (now that he's off the NYY), but I think he's grasping here, looking for a simple explanation to a complex cultural phenomenon (ie what motivates people to play/improve in different parts of the world?).

Sheff's comments can't be proven or disproven either way.

But everything's political and based on a number of factors. There are always better people who aren't playing the sport, for whatever reason. Just like there are better basketball players than Lebron James who never got the opportunity. That could have to do with coachability or recruitment practices. It's only a touchy subject when people add race to the mix (i.e. arguing that there are better white players at home while black players like Lebron James get a shot because black players have fewer nonathletic alternatives, etc.).

There are fewer blacks in Major League Baseball because on ballfields of america there are fewer black boys playing baseball (and honing the skills needed to make it to the majors).

Black kids, for differing reasons, are less enamored with baseball than in past years, bypassing baseball in favor of more interesting pursuits, basketball, by and large, but also in some communities, soccer, golf, etc...

I think marketing, or the lack thereof, is also affecting baseball. Baseball also doesn't market itself as well (anymore, anyway) as does basketball, so it's not surprising the numbers vis-a-vis Black athletes are dwindling.

I have madd respect for Gary Sheffield as a player, but I disagree with his take on this one.

Pretty lame comment by Shef.

I think its funny that he wouldn't dare act like this or like he did in NY while he was under Cox. The radio hosts I was listening to today were pretty fired up about the comments, wondering when the rainbow coalition was going to issue a statement.

Control? Sheff's sounding a teensy bit foolish.

I think it's because many, many black kids (and their families) think that if they have a shot of getting a college scholarship or making it as a big-time athlete, it's in basketball or football. Think about it...some of the most famous black athletes are and have been basketball or football players. Families push their kids into basketball or football because they think it's going to be their ticket. Baseball...not so much.

Plus, black America used to be more rural, and there was more space/opportunities to play baseball. Now, as the population has become more urban, it's not as common. There aren't a ton of ball fields in the city.

Exactly: baseball is a much tougher road to the big-time/big money than the other sports. You're generally talking, at the very least, a year or two before guys make their major league debuts, even if you're a college player.

Plus, with arbitration in baseball, you'll likely have to wait a year or two longer for max contracts than you would in football or basketball.

I think Sheff says some interesting things, but this was not one of his finer moments. I think TonyB, Munchkin, and RC are a little bit closer to the truth.

Because your grasp of the language is so good, Mr. Sheffield...:rolleyes: :p

Wonder if this means he won't be having dinner ot Magglio's or Pudge's any time soon? :p