How did MLB get to point where no African American players on a World Series roster isn't a surprise to many?
He sees structural issues as the root causes for baseball's racial nosedive when it comes to Black American players, all of them basically pointing back to economics. For decades, MLB organizations did the work of developing young players in their system. That's the first big reason why the number of non-white players in MLB is nearing 40 percent even as the number of Black American players is fading. Since clubs aren't developing young American players the way they once did, the ones who get drafted are coming from the college ranks, where they're closer to a finished product. And you're certainly not going to find many Black players on NCAA rosters.
wftv.comRachel Robinson honored on 100th birthday at All-Star Game
All Star Game Baseball Actor Denzel Washington speaks during a tribute to Jackie Robinson prior top the MLB All-Star baseball game between the National League and National League, Tuesday, July 19, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Baseball's All-Stars gathered on the field before Tuesday night's game at Dodger Stadium to honor Rachel Robinson on her 100th birthday. “So on the count of three, I want everybody here to say: `Happy Birthday, Rachel! Jackie Robinson broke the major league color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, who moved to Los Angeles after the 1957 season. Major League Baseball held a discussion of Robinson's life on Monday.
wftv.comJackie Robinson's legacy looms over All-Star Game in LA
Jackie Robinson Baseball FILE - This March 4, 1946, file photo shows Jackie Robinson of the Montreal Royals baseball team, in Sanford, Fla. Already at the forefront on the 75th anniversary of breaking baseball’s color barrier, Jackie Robinson’s life, legacy and impact is honored as part of the 2022 baseball All-Star Game in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Bill Chaplis, File) (Bill Chaplis)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — The legacy of Jackie Robinson showed in Major League Baseball’s draft, with four Black players among the first five selected for the first time in history. That’s considered progress in a sport that has a smaller percentage of Black players now than any year since the early 1990s. Robinson’s presence will loom large over Tuesday’s All-Star game at Dodger Stadium, where the Hall of Famer is honored with a statue.
wftv.comKoufax gets Dodger Stadium statue next to Jackie Robinson
Dodgers Koufax Statue Baseball The Los Angeles Dodgers unveil a Sandy Koufax statue in the Centerfield Plaza to honor the Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young Award winner prior to a baseball game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Saturday, June 18, 2022. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP) (Keith Birmingham)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — When Sandy Koufax joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955, he was in awe of being on the same team with Jackie Robinson. Koufax's statue was unveiled on Saturday in the Centerfield Plaza before the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Cleveland Guardians. The lefty won three Cy Young Awards, threw four no-hitters, and was 165-87 in a 12-year career with Brooklyn and Los Angeles. “I hope a kid sees the statue and asked his mom or dad about Sandy Koufax and I hope that they tell him he was a great pitcher.
wftv.comDonaldson's 1-game ban upheld by MLB, fine cut to $5,000
Cubs Yankees Baseball New York Yankees' Josh Donaldson reacts after flying out to end the third inning of the team's baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Friday, June 10, 2022, in New York. MLB special adviser John McHale upheld the penalty after hearing Donaldson’s appeal on Thursday, a person familiar with the discipline told The Associated Press. Donaldson’s fine was cut in half by McHale to $5,000, the person said. Donaldson will serve the penalty during the Yankees' series opener against Tampa Bay on Tuesday night. Robinson broke the MLB color barrier in 1947 and every team in the big leagues has retired his No.
wftv.comDonaldson's 1-game ban upheld by MLB, fine cut to $5,000
Major League Baseball has upheld Josh Donaldson’s one-game suspension, a penalty that was assessed after the New York Yankees third baseman made a remark to White Sox star Tim Anderson about Jackie Robinson that Chicago manager Tony La Russa called racist.
Josh Donaldson apologizes to Jackie Robinson's family
White Sox Yankees Baseball New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson (28) makes a swinging strike on a pitch during the third inning of a baseball game against Chicago White Sox, Saturday May 21, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) (Bebeto Matthews)NEW YORK — (AP) — Josh Donaldson has apologized to the wife and family of Jackie Robinson for referencing the pioneering Black baseball player in remarks that led to a confrontation with Chicago White Sox star Tim Anderson. “I would also like to apologize to Mrs. Rachel Robinson and the Jackie Robinson family for any distress this incident may have caused. Donaldson said after Saturday's game that he twice called Anderson by “Jackie." Anderson said after a brief conversation in 2019 in which Donaldson called him “Jackie,” he told Donaldson: “We don’t have to talk again.
wftv.comAnderson's HR hushes Yankees, lifts Chisox to twinbill sweep
“What a day,” White Sox manager Tony La Russa said. AJ Pollock hit a tiebreaking homer off Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning as the White Sox won 3-1. After the game, Anderson declined all interview requests. Donaldson acknowledged Saturday he called Anderson "Jackie” — a reference to the pioneering baseball icon that elicited criticism from both managers. UP NEXTWhite Sox: After an off-day Monday, RHP Dylan Cease (4-1, 3.09 ERA) is slated to start against the Boston Red Sox as the White Sox begin a five-game homestand.
wftv.comLEADING OFF: MLB investigates Anderson-Donaldson incident
Yankees White Sox Baseball Chicago White Sox's Tim Anderson runs to first base after hitting a single during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees in Chicago, Saturday, May 14, 2022. Donaldson is white and said he did use Robinson’s name but didn’t mean for it to be disrespectful. The White Sox and Yankees are scheduled to see each other for the last time in the regular season with a doubleheader. SAN STORMManny Machado and the surging San Diego Padres go for a three-game sweep at NL West rival San Francisco. Giants left-hander Alex Wood (3-2, 3.93) is 4-2 with a 2.93 ERA in 17 appearances, including 11 starts, against San Diego.
wftv.comAnderson says Donaldson made racist remark, MLB investigates
(AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) (Bebeto Matthews)NEW YORK — (AP) — Chicago White Sox star shortstop Tim Anderson accused Yankees slugger Josh Donaldson of making a racist remark by calling him Jackie Robinson during Saturday's game against New York. Anderson said Donaldson made a “Jackie” in the first couple of innings: “I spared him that time, and then it happened again." In the fifth, White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal stood up from his crouch and confronted Donaldson as he approached the plate. Anderson also continued to shout at Donaldson while being restrained by White Sox slugger José Abreu and infielder Gavin Sheets. Yankees: RHP Chad Green (strained right elbow) was placed on the injured list and could be headed towards surgery.
wftv.comJackie Robinson’s All-Star Game bat sells for $1.08 million
Jackie Robinson: What you need to know (NCD)The bat Jackie Robinson used in the 1949 All-Star Game sold Sunday for $1.08 million. That bat sold for $1.265 million, ESPN reported. This year marked the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking MLB’s color barrier in 1947. >>Related: Jackie Robinson broke modern MLB color barrier 75 years agoThe auction also had a 1951 game-worn home jersey worn by Jackie Robinson. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 15 Through the years Jackie Robinson, in military uniform, becomes the first African American to sign with a white professional baseball team.
wftv.comMajors celebrate 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's debut
Today MLB celebrates Jackie Robinson Day, in honor of Robinson, who was the first African American to play in the major leagues. 42, as they have since 2009 on April 15 — now known as Jackie Robinson Day. We have a better world because of Jackie Robinson, but we still have a lot of work to do.”Before their home opener at Citi Field, the Mets unveiled a long-awaited statue of Tom Seaver a few steps from the ornate Jackie Robinson Rotunda that serves as the ballpark’s main entrance. Canó and teammate Francisco Lindor, who went deep from both sides of the plate, wore special cleats for Jackie Robinson Day. “You do something special on that day.”The first 25,000 fans received a Brooklyn Dodgers Jackie Robinson T-shirt, and Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars went down the handshake line with Mets players on the field during pregame introductions.
wftv.comA look at Jackie Robinson’s historic Daytona Beach game that hit color barrier out of the park
On April 15, 1947, at 28 years old, Jackie Robinson put on his first Brooklyn Dodgers uniform and stepped on to the diamond. He became the first Black player in modern baseball history and broke the major league baseball “color line.”
Jackie Robinson broke modern MLB color barrier 75 years ago
Jackie Robinson Day Baseball This image provided by Major League Baseball shows the new logo of Jackie Robinson's No. 42 in Dodger blue that will celebrate the 75th anniversary of his breaking the major league color barrier. What seemed like a casual act was actually a groundbreaking moment in Major League Baseball. >> Read more trending newsOn April 15, 1947, Robinson broke MLB’s modern-day color barrier as the Dodgers hosted the Boston Braves. The 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier is upon us.
wftv.comLEADING OFF: MLB celebrates Robinson 75 years after debut
Jackie Robinson A jersey of Jackie Robinson is displayed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, commemorating the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's integration of Major League Baseball, Thursday, April 7, 2022. Robinson became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball breaking the baseball color barrier on April 15, 1947, when he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (Manuel Balce Ceneta)A look at what's happening around baseball Friday:___JACKIE ROBINSON DAYPlayers across the majors will don Jackie Robinson's No. 42 — and all of them in Dodger blue this year — for the 75th anniversary of Robinson's big league debut. Guardians right-hander Zach Plesac (0-0, 0.00) will then face Giants lefty Carlos Rodón (0-0, 1.80).
wftv.comKoufax to join Jackie Robinson with statue at Dodger Stadium
On Monday, March 14, 2022, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced that Koufax is joining fellow Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson with a bronze statue of his own at Dodger Stadium, with an unveiling planned for June 18, 2022, before the team hosts Cleveland. (AP Photo/Danny Moloshok, File) (Danny Moloshok)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Sandy Koufax is set to join fellow Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson with a bronze statue at Dodger Stadium. The Los Angeles Dodgers said Monday the unveiling will be June 18 before the team hosts Cleveland. Koufax’s statue will be sculpted by Branly Cadet, who also created the Robinson statue, which was unveiled in April 2017. Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
wftv.comJackie Robinson 1947 debut ticket stub sells for record $480K
DALLAS — Jackie Robinson broke down barriers as a major league baseball player. A ticket stub from his first game 75 years ago smashed a memorabilia record Sunday morning. The ticket, sold for opening day at Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field, was the highest-graded of all of the first-game stubs known to exist, the website reported. Robinson went 0-for-3 in his debut but walked and scored a run in the Dodgers’ 5-3 victory. It was Walker’s only year in the majors, and no Black player had been on a major-league roster again until Robinson debuted in 1947.
wftv.comRoad to major league baseball’s integration runs through Daytona Beach
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — If you’ve ever taken a trip to the “World’s Most Famous Beach” you probably have driven past a piece of major league baseball history and not realized it. Situated near the corner of South Beach Street and Orange Avenue on Daytona’s City Island is the home of the Jackie Robinson Ballpark. READ: ‘Icons before their time’: Meet civil rights pioneers Harry & Harriette MooreOriginally named The Daytona City Island Ballpark, the stadium opened on June 4, 1914. Jackie Robinson Ballpark (Jackie Robinson Ballpark)Scattered throughout the park are several plaques detailing the ballpark’s past and place in history. Jackie Robinson Ballpark (Jackie Robinson Ballpark)The ballpark is currently home to the Daytona Cubs and Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats baseball teams.
wftv.comJackie Robinson’s path to integrating baseball ran through Sanford, Daytona Beach
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Before becoming the first African-American to play Major League Baseball, Jackie Robinson made history with the minor league system in Central Florida. Daytona Beach is home to the Class A Cincinnati Reds affiliate Tortugas baseball team, and Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Jackie Robinson with Branch Rickey Jackie Robinson with Branch RickeyAt the time, Plessy v. Ferguson segregation laws controlled the south. There was no federal ruling that allowed Jackie Robinson to play here.”George Bates, now 86, was a 12-year-old batboy witnessing it all as Jackie Robinson took the field. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." #StandWithTheJack1/4 pic.twitter.com/ocu79G09hZ — Daytona Tortugas (@daytonatortugas) February 22, 2021Schumann says it had a cultural impact for people to see Jackie Robinson play baseball in Daytona Beach.
wftv.comVandalized plaque honoring Jackie Robinson to be displayed
Vandalized Jackie Robinson Plaque FILE - Jackie Robinson, infielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers, swings his bat in this action pose at Ebbett's Field in Brooklyn, N.Y., on May 9, 1951. A plaque honoring baseball legend Jackie Robinson that was vandalized in Georgia is coming to Kansas City's Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to be put on display. The sign was erected in 2001 outside the birthplace of Robinson near Cairo, Georgia. — (AP) — A plaque honoring baseball legend Jackie Robinson that was vandalized in Georgia is coming to Kansas City’s Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to be put on display. The plaque is expected to be permanently loaned to the Kansas City museum for regular display.
wftv.comFox News edit of Biden comment removes racial context
NEW YORK — (AP) — Fox News Channel edited video of President Joe Biden on Friday to remove context from remarks that some could judge as racially insensitive. In Veterans Day comments made Thursday, Biden told an anecdote that referenced baseball player Satchel Paige, who had pitched in the Negro Leagues before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. On “Fox & Friends,” Rachel Campos Duffy said Biden was “facing backlash” for comments at Arlington National Cemetery. In this case, the edit is not at all clear, he said. A Fox spokesperson noted that the full remark was used when the story was repeated two other times on “Fox & Friends,” and said the one-time edit was made because of time constraints.
wftv.comMacArthur aims to help people with disabilities find work
Although philanthropy has taken steps to increase the flow of grant dollars to people with disabilities in recent years, disability advocates say the broad push among foundations to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion in their work has largely left people with disabilities out, both in terms of grants and representation on foundation boards and staff.
Pro baseball in Daytona turns 100 | MARK LANE
The first Florida State League game on City Island was played 100 years ago. Neither the Florida State League nor the Minor League Baseball organization has set a 2020 season start date. Online reports that the whole minor league season would be canceled have been denied by Minor League Baseball but without further details. Major League Baseball has proposed dramatically shrinking the number of minor league teams. Minor league baseball did not resume in Florida until 1936.
news-journalonline.comDaytona Tortugas Respond to Major League Baseballs Plan to Eliminate The Team
The following joint statement was issued by the owners and staff of the Daytona Tortugas minor league team in Daytona Beach. We are shocked and disappointed to learn that Daytona is one of 42 cities on Major League Baseballs contraction list as part of the 2021 proposal. Contraction is Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfreds euphemism for a city that has apparently outlived its usefulness to our national pastime. Minor League Baseball has been played in Daytona Beach for 100 years. Jackie Robinson, if he were alive today, would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year.
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