Race in professional sports

Beautiful post. I couldn't have said it any better. 

I don't now if there was an implicit accusation of racism, but there certainly was no explicit claim of racism in baseball.  The article, as I read it, simply noted that despite the fact that fewer african americans played MLB, a greater proportion were now represented in management. 

Knowing the history of baseball, we must assume that these statistics are kept and are likely reported every year or two.  I don't see any claims of bias in the article.

I think its pretty clear why African-Americans (and others too) are gravitating to careers in pro football and basketball. In basketball you can become a millionaire at 19 and football two or three years later. In baseball, you probably can't get to the max-money level until you're at least in your late 20s.  Unless you're someone like A-Rod, you have to put in your time in the minors and work your way up.

If you want to collect your chips real quick, baseball isn't your sport.

err.. where did anyone claim racism in terms of players.  The article simply states that there are fewer black players while the proportion in management has gone up. 

In terms of management, there is a strong history of discrimination in baseball, ergo why they keep the stats.

That you picked 20 years in your post means you know some of the recent ugly history of MLB mgt.  Let's not forget it was 20 years ago (1987) that Al Campanis, the head of Dodgers personnell, gave us his insights (have fun googling).   i assume some of his ilk have learned that you can think and act on it, but not advertise these thoughts in an ABC interview.

If bias or discrimination were not implied why would this be an issue?  Wouldn't it be as news worthy to write an article, or many articles, about the lack of white players in the NBA?  What if Hubie Brown, just an example, used his position on TNT, like Joe Morgan does on ESPN baseball telecasts, to lobby for the increase in white  american participation in basketball to more closely resemble the percentage it reflected in the 70's?

  It would be irresponible of me to ignore the years of bigotry and racism that existed in the past and may still exist today in some places.  But because Al Campanis made racisist comments on nightline twent plus years ago does that still mean that racism and bigotry are pervasive in the upper levels of MLB management?  I don't know, as I am sure few others do either.  By this logic wouldn't that make all african american reverends racist and bigoted towards whites based on the past sermons of Rev. Jeremiah Wright?  To say that, and demean the majority of african american clergy that love, respect and value the white americans that they share the country, city and country streets as well as possibly share their Sunday service with would be equally irresponsible.