GoPack's Yak

On this date in 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American player in baseball history. He wasn't the best player available, but probably the best one available to not only play but handle the hatred, the publicity, the heckling and the media pressure this move would undoubtedly bring to the forefront. His success translated into a generation of African Americans who dominated the game like Frank Robinson, Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. There was another generation of top African American talent led by Kirby Puckett, Tony Gwynn, Ken Griffey Jr and others. Today there are very few African American players in baseball with some teams not even having one on their team. I don't know exactly what Major League Baseball needs to do in the inner city to promote the game of baseball, but in order for this to remain the finest game on the planet we need to attract top African American talent as we have in the past. For whatever reason, African Americans are choosing football and basketball in droves over the game I love. Being a Brewer fan, I am blessed with seeing talented African American players on a daily basis such as Prince Fielder, Bill Hall and Rickie Weeks. When he gets off the DL, I will enjoy seeing Tony Gwynn Jr, and when he gets off suspension, Mike Cameron

Jackie Robinson 61 years later

In 1947, our population was around 144,000,000. Today, it's over 300,000,000.

Much of the open space that might have existed for parks in the cities need to be used for housing today. To play baseball, you need a large area. To play basketball, you don't even need a full court. You can play half-court. You can play basketball by yourself, or with any even combination up to 5-on-5.

To play baseball by yourself you need a hitting tee with a baseball on a string (or other specialized equipment). To play a real game you need 18 kids. It's hard to play 1-on-1.

Even football, you can play with as little as three people on a side.

How many basketball courts can you put up in the area needed for one baseball field?

Basketball also benefits from TV more than baseball. March Madness is huge.

College football is on TV constantly in the fall. And the bowl season? Wall-to-wall action for a month.

College baseball? Very few people follow it, even less watch it on TV.

The NBA and NFL drafts are followed by rabid fans hoping for the franchise player who will take them over the top. The MLB draft in June is followed by fantasy baseball players whose leagues allow minor leaguers.

The NBA and NFL have no real minor leagues. You go from college (or high school) to the pros. In baseball, very few kids go right to the majors. Most toil for years in the minor leagues before getting a shot in the majors. And if you're stuck behind a superstar, forget it. How many Yankee shortstops have languished in the minor leagues because of Derek Jeter? How many catchers are stuck behind Jorge Posada?

Most players in the NBA make millions. In baseball, you could be stuck making the minimum (still a nice salary to an average person) until arbitration or free agency kick in.

I don't know what baseball can do in the inner cities to overcome its obstacles, the biggest ones I think are space and the minor leagues. But that's the game...and I think going forward you're going to continue to see less players from the inner cites (of any race) and more from the suburbs or from areas of the world where there is more open space for ball fields.

Jackie Robinson 61 years later

I must say that I really enjoy the items you write about here. Not only do I agree but it warms me to know that other share this opinion. I feel that baseball has taken a back seat to the guaranteed dollars from football and basketball, even though the prospects are much harder for them in these sports. Access is the issue as you eluded to previously. Access is what makes baseball like hockey in many respects, golf as well. The difficulty in providing a positive experience in the size and scope that are necessary are much more possible in basketball and will continue to make it more difficult to cultivate inner city talent. The initiative also comes from baseball itself, in my opinion, as the owners and scouts can commit a guy from Latin America for pennies to the American Dollar. This discrepancy means that they can allocate more money to the cultivation of external talent rather than build our side. It really is sad. Either way, today is a great day for baseball and everyone should exercise a moment of reverence for the efforts of our bretheren who have endured numerous difficulties in their path for acceptance... not just for Jackie but for all those who have been affected by him, helped by what he has accomplished and for those who have shown the respect this game deserves.

Congrats!!!

Jackie Robinson 61 years later

Lack of space for full fields is not a factor in this. Kids have played stickball on NYC streets for years. The hand eye coordination of trying to hit something with a broom handle is incredible. And in the Dominican Republic and other Latin countries, there are people using cardboard to make gloves and a roll of duct tape to make a ball yet they play all day with a passion for the sport. In the US there are multiple sporting opportunities and basketball has been more accepting of the hip-hop culture that many young African American men are drawn to.

Turning around that cultural preference to get more kids interested in baseball is a difficult challenge. The bottom line is that MLB needs to find the best players, whatever their backgrounds.

Big_E Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Jul 6, 2007	Posted on: April 15, 2008 10:32 am Score: 95 Jackie Robinson 61 years later In 1947, our population was around 144,000,000. Today, it's over 300,000,000. Much of the open space that might have existed for parks in the cities need to be used for housing today. To play baseball, you need a large area. To play basketball, you don't even need a full court. You can play half-court. You can play basketball by yourself, or with any even combination up to 5-on-5. To play baseball by yourself you need a hitting tee with a baseball on a string (or other specialized equipment). To play a real game you need 18 kids. It's hard to play 1-on-1. Even football, you can play with as little as three people on a side. How many basketball courts can you put up in the area needed for one baseball field? Basketball also benefits from TV more than baseball. March Madness is huge. College football is on TV constantly in the fall. And the bowl season? Wall-to-wall action for a month. College baseball? Very few people follow it, even less watch it on TV. The NBA and NFL drafts are followed by rabid fans hoping for the franchise player who will take them over the top. The MLB draft in June is followed by fantasy baseball players whose leagues allow minor leaguers. The NBA and NFL have no real minor leagues. You go from college (or high school) to the pros. In baseball, very few kids go right to the majors. Most toil for years in the minor leagues before getting a shot in the majors. And if you're stuck behind a superstar, forget it. How many Yankee shortstops have languished in the minor leagues because of Derek Jeter? How many catchers are stuck behind Jorge Posada? Most players in the NBA make millions. In baseball, you could be stuck making the minimum (still a nice salary to an average person) until arbitration or free agency kick in. I don't know what baseball can do in the inner cities to overcome its obstacles, the biggest ones I think are space and the minor leagues. But that's the game...and I think going forward you're going to continue to see less players from the inner cites (of any race) and more from the suburbs or from areas of the world where there is more open space for ball fields. [ Reply to Comment ]
Horrible Loser Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 1, 2007	Posted on: April 15, 2008 6:35 pm Score: 94 Jackie Robinson 61 years later I must say that I really enjoy the items you write about here. Not only do I agree but it warms me to know that other share this opinion. I feel that baseball has taken a back seat to the guaranteed dollars from football and basketball, even though the prospects are much harder for them in these sports. Access is the issue as you eluded to previously. Access is what makes baseball like hockey in many respects, golf as well. The difficulty in providing a positive experience in the size and scope that are necessary are much more possible in basketball and will continue to make it more difficult to cultivate inner city talent. The initiative also comes from baseball itself, in my opinion, as the owners and scouts can commit a guy from Latin America for pennies to the American Dollar. This discrepancy means that they can allocate more money to the cultivation of external talent rather than build our side. It really is sad. Either way, today is a great day for baseball and everyone should exercise a moment of reverence for the efforts of our bretheren who have endured numerous difficulties in their path for acceptance... not just for Jackie but for all those who have been affected by him, helped by what he has accomplished and for those who have shown the respect this game deserves. Congrats!!! [ Reply to Comment ]
NE2WA Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 13, 2008	Posted on: April 15, 2008 6:57 pm Score: 56 Jackie Robinson 61 years later Lack of space for full fields is not a factor in this. Kids have played stickball on NYC streets for years. The hand eye coordination of trying to hit something with a broom handle is incredible. And in the Dominican Republic and other Latin countries, there are people using cardboard to make gloves and a roll of duct tape to make a ball yet they play all day with a passion for the sport. In the US there are multiple sporting opportunities and basketball has been more accepting of the hip-hop culture that many young African American men are drawn to. Turning around that cultural preference to get more kids interested in baseball is a difficult challenge. The bottom line is that MLB needs to find the best players, whatever their backgrounds. [ Reply to Comment ]
lazybones721 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Oct 14, 2006

GoPackGo226

Jackie Robinson 61 years later

Jackie Robinson 61 years later

Jackie Robinson 61 years later

Jackie Robinson 61 years later