Thoughts on Jackie Robinson Day

[rico43]

I appreciate that baseball retired No. 42 in honor of Jackie, but it is ludicrous this day every year when every player on every team wears that number in his honor. Having 42 hanging from every stadium seems like sufficient commemoration.

Heard this morning that three major league teams currently do NOT have a single African-American player on their roster, including the D-Backs and the Cardinals. The latter is particularly egregious because of their terrific history of Black Americans: Gibson, Brock, Coleman, Flood, Bill White, Ozzie Smith ... need I go on. The current management team should be chagrined, if not ashamed.

[bravesnumberone]

The bigger issue is why more African-Americans aren't playing baseball these days.

[NinersSBChamps]

I think it's pretty ludicrous that people still get up in arms about race. Yes the Cardinals are racist and so are the Diamondbacks. Give me a break.

[gilesfan]

There aren't many african american players left over when the Phils scoop them all up.

[The Chosen One]

Braves haven't had an African-American pitcher since Ray King if I'm not mistaken. Guess he ate them all up. I always wanted LaTroy Hawkins on our squad.

[NinersSBChamps]

There aren't many african american players left over when the Phils scoop them all up.

Howard, Rollins, D.Brown, Mayberry, and Gwynn Jr

Yeah they have a decent amount and I am sure I left someone out.

[gilesfan]

Rever, Byrd

[Dunit24]

The bigger issue is why more African-Americans aren't playing baseball these days.

I have a ton of black friends. They all tell me the same thing when i ask them why arent their more black baseball players. They all say its not an exciting sport to watch or play...

No clue as to why this is always brought up.

[thethe]

The best athletes go to basketball and football because its a faster way to get paid. These guys drafted outside of the 1st round might not make over a million dollars a year for another 6-8 years.

With the nba/nfl that can happen after 2-3 years.

[The Chosen One]

MLB contracts are the biggest guaranteed money in sports. I think the max deal you can get in NBA is 125 million assuming you're still with the same team and not signing with another team.

Football can be over 100,000,000 but you can get cut instantly and all you get is the signing bonus.

Cabrera just got an insane amount, and he won't have to deal with the tough physical toll of an NFL or NBA game.

[thethe]

MLB contracts are the biggest guaranteed money in sports. I think the max deal you can get in NBA is 125 million assuming you're still with the same team and not signing with another team.

Football can be over 100,000,000 but you can get cut instantly and all you get is the signing bonus.

Cabrera just got an insane amount, and he won't have to deal with the tough physical toll of an NFL or NBA game.

Think about how long it takes to even get to over a million a year though.

[gilesfan]

You can go outside and play football and basketball at virtually no expense. Not only that, you can just walk up to a hoop and play by yourself. (soccer applies to). It's isnt that easy for baseball.

[Hawk]

Think about how long it takes to even get to over a million a year though.

I mean, the league minimum is $500K. The pension plan is robust. Lifetime healthcare.

I don't buy that baseball is losing black athletes because of the money.

[The Chosen One]

Think about how long it takes to even get to over a million a year though.

No denying that. But if you're great like Simmons then you can get quick bucks after your first whole season.

NFL has ridiculous signing bonuses out of the draft. Vince Young got like 50 million guaranteed I think it was. NBA has a better rookie cap, NFL has one now too because the veteran players were complaining I think.

Still though, for most players in baseball you get a 4 month vacation, and you travel to just about every major city in the country.

[thethe]

I mean, the league minimum is $500K. The pension plan is robust. Lifetime healthcare.

I don't buy that baseball is losing black athletes because of the money.

Thats when you make the majors. What about how long it takes to even make it to that level? These minor leaguers make peanuts.

[thethe]

No denying that. But if you're great like Simmons then you can get quick bucks after your first whole season.

NFL has ridiculous signing bonuses out of the draft. Vince Young got like 50 million guaranteed I think it was. NBA has a better rookie cap, NFL has one now too because the veteran players were complaining I think.

Still though, for most players in baseball you get a 4 month vacation, and you travel to just about every major city in the country.

They changed the rookie scale in the NFL a few years back but you get much more instant gratification in the NFL/NBA than you do in the NBA. Sure, when you are established there is nothing like playing baseball.

[stpeteirish]

I mean, the league minimum is $500K. The pension plan is robust. Lifetime healthcare.

I don't buy that baseball is losing black athletes because of the money.

agree, its not the money, its just not something they want to pursue anymore, at least not in a big way. And if they don't want to play, its hard to change that.

[Krovahn]

I would be fine with allowing players to wear 42 on this day as they wish; not being forced to. Like how it originally was when Griffey Jr. asked to wear it (I think that is how it started).

[The Chosen One]

It's a culture thing. It's awful when I play tennis at public courts, and the football field is right next to us. All of the 20-30 year old dads who think they're NFL coaches making their 8 year olds do 30 laps around the field and such.

[MadduxFanII]

I'm not saying the Diamondbacks are racist, but if they wish to avoid some sneaking suspicions, they might not want to trade Justin Upton while whispering darkly about his attitude and the need to add "grit" to the team. Sometimes code words are just stupid words stupid people say, but they have their connotations for a reason.