MLB: Black History Month

[Chuck]

I saw this picture online of the 1989 All-Star Game of some of the games best black players including Bo Jackson, Ozzie Smith, Tony Gwynn, Barry Larkin, and many more.

The 1989 All-Star Game featured some of the best black players of all-time. #BlackHistoryMonth

Check out our own Devon White. 

[eligrba]

I forgot about Kirby Puckett.  I loved watching him play.

[Second Base]

It's good to start to see more African American players return to the game in the past few years. Guys like Puckett, Gwynn, Bonilla, Bonds, Griffey....I really miss. 

I'm hoping to see guys like Buxton, Adell, Trammell, and Adams usher in a new era of exciting baseball. 

I know I'm leaving a lot of guys out like Hunter, Upton, and currently Betts, but I hope in the future to see African American involvement in the game reach the levels it was in the 80's. 

[Taylor]

17 minutes ago, Second Base said:

I know I'm leaving a lot of guys out like Hunter, Upton, and currently Betts, but I hope in the future to see African American involvement in the game reach the levels it was in the 80's. 

I agree. Solving the problem of poverty in urban communities would do the trick. It's so much more accessible and affordable to play basketball or football than it is to play baseball.

[Second Base]

1 hour ago, Taylor said:

I agree. Solving the problem of poverty in urban communities would do the trick. It's so much more accessible and affordable to play basketball or football than it is to play baseball.

I partially agree with that. Yes, poverty and it accessibility definitely come into play, but those were both factors in the 70's and 80's too and that didn't prevent them from playing. But the RBI program is making inroads for sure. 

Edited February 12, 2021 by Second Base

[ten ocho recon scout]

5 hours ago, Chuckster70 said:

I saw this picture online of the 1989 All-Star Game of some of the greatest including Bo Jackson, Ozzie Smith, Tony Gwynn, Barry Larkin, and many more.

The 1989 All-Star Game featured some of the best black players of all-time. #BlackHistoryMonth

Check out our own Devon White. 

As a huge bo jackson fan, I dont really think he should be included as "one of the greatest"

He was a beast at running back. At baseball i think he was kind of overrated. Reminds me of puig. Lots of tools and talent, but i think more potential to be great than actually was great. 

 

And i loved the guy

[Lou]

8 minutes ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

As a huge bo jackson fan, I dont really think he should be included as "one of the greatest"

That was my immediate reaction.

[ten ocho recon scout]

1 minute ago, Lou said:

That was my immediate reaction.

Im a huge, huge fan. He was by far my biggest hero growing up (meh, maybe tied with magic). 

I really thought he was great when i was a kid. But looking back at him now, I think it was more that he was a phenom athlete in a sport that had very few.... he was a pro athlete in a fat guy league, pretty much. 

So he wowed everyone with his physique, speed, and power.... but he still didnt put up the fat guy numbers....

In football i argue the opposite. Had he played full time, and not gotten hurt.... who knows how many records he'd hold today.

[ten ocho recon scout]

5 hours ago, Chuckster70 said:

I saw this picture online of the 1989 All-Star Game of some of the greatest including Bo Jackson, Ozzie Smith, Tony Gwynn, Barry Larkin, and many more.

The 1989 All-Star Game featured some of the best black players of all-time. #BlackHistoryMonth

Check out our own Devon White. 

Also, from the pic. Was scratching my head why they had pirates bonds and older, thicker SF bonds.

Kevin Mitchell

[Bronson]

Also, has anyone ever noticed there are WAY more black position players then pitchers? I always found that interesting. 

[Second Base]

4 hours ago, Bronson said:

Also, has anyone ever noticed there are WAY more black position players then pitchers? I always found that interesting. 

More Japanese pitchers than hitters too. Koreans too. 

I just think African Americans are exceptionally athletic, and so we see them play a lot of skill positions where they can change the game. 

Similarly, Japanese are methodical and detail oriented. Perfectionists. And these traits suit them as pitchers. They don't need to overpower as much as they need to pitch smart, make the ball move and hit their spots. 

I know it sounds racist, but it is not meant to be. It's just a true observation. Like to saying there are more women working in early elementary education. It's isn't sexist, it's simply a fact. 

Edited February 12, 2021 by Second Base

[Bronson]

2 hours ago, Second Base said:

More Japanese pitchers than hitters too. Koreans too. 

I just think African Americans are exceptionally athletic, and so we see them play a lot of skill positions where they can change the game. 

Similarly, Japanese are methodical and detail oriented. Perfectionists. And these traits suit them as pitchers. They don't need to overpower as much as they need to pitch smart, make the ball move and hit their spots. 

I know it sounds racist, but it is not meant to be. It's just a true observation. Like to saying there are more women working in early elementary education. It's isn't sexist, it's simply a fact. 

No I get what you’re saying. And most young black kids are not just playing baseball, they’re probably playing basketball or football also and playing center field or shortstop is probably more fun and more akin to what they like to play then standing on a mound and pitching. 

[Junkballer]

15 minutes ago, cals said:

Second Base the Greek!

Al Campanis the Second!

[mtangelsfan]

18 hours ago, Second Base said:

More Japanese pitchers than hitters too. Koreans too. 

I just think African Americans are exceptionally athletic, and so we see them play a lot of skill positions where they can change the game. 

Similarly, Japanese are methodical and detail oriented. Perfectionists. And these traits suit them as pitchers. They don't need to overpower as much as they need to pitch smart, make the ball move and hit their spots. 

I know it sounds racist, but it is not meant to be. It's just a true observation. Like to saying there are more women working in early elementary education. It's isn't sexist, it's simply a fact. 

But can they swim?

[ten ocho recon scout]

This reminds me of the movie Three Kings, when theyre talking about Warren Moon

[Lou]

48 minutes ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

This reminds me of the movie Three Kings, when theyre talking about Warren Moon

Doug Williams took the Redskins to the Superbowl and won. 

[ten ocho recon scout]

1 hour ago, Lou said:

Doug Williams took the Redskins to the Superbowl and won. 

I knew youd have my back here. 

I just wish some of these other people knew that classic.

[Lou]

4 minutes ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

I knew youd have my back here. 

I just wish some of these other people knew that classic.

That's just bad parenting.

[Second Base]

3 hours ago, mtangelsfan said:

But can they swim?

Elementary school teachers? Yes, I know this for a fact. 

[ten ocho recon scout]

2 hours ago, Lou said:

That's just bad parenting.

No other way to put it. 

[Second Base]

4 hours ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

This reminds me of the movie Three Kings, when theyre talking about Warren Moon

I watched it shortly before my first deployment. It taught me some important lessons. Stay inside the wire when not on patrol, stay on the road, and don't talk to the effing media.

[tdawg87]

Love GA and Howie. Also Torii. 

As Scotty said, we have Adams and Adell who both have all the upside in the world. Adams is just a freak athlete.

I'd love to see more black dudes in baseball. Some of the greatest players in history have been black. Barry Bonds, Griffey, Hank Aaron, Mays, Gwynn, Reggie Willits, Satchel Paige, Rickey Henderson etc...

There's so much talent out there just waiting to be tapped into.

[Stradling]

@pettis 

[oldguy]

On 2/10/2021 at 6:58 PM, Chuckster70 said:

Doug White had qualifications, where did that get us?

Meanwhile Harry Ralston (Bud) Black went from a playing career on the mound to a successful pitching coach & solid manager.

Jered Weaver is just as qualified as arguably the best pitching coach the Angels have ever had in Bud Black.

 

On 2/11/2021 at 5:44 PM, Second Base said:

I partially agree with that. Yes, poverty and it accessibility definitely come into play, but those were both factors in the 70's and 80's too and that didn't prevent them from playing. But the RBI program is making inroads for sure. 

Where are they going to play?  Back in the 60s, 70s, and 80s you could walk to the local public school and play baseball on the varsity field.  Nowadays they are all locked up, due to vandalism and/or liability concerns.  You NEVER see kids playing games like "Over the Line" anymore.  Its tough to play baseball when you can't find an open area.

 

[Second Base]

7 minutes ago, oldguy said:

 

Where are they going to play?  Back in the 60s, 70s, and 80s you could walk to the local public school and play baseball on the varsity field.  Nowadays they are all locked up, due to vandalism and/or liability concerns.  You NEVER see kids playing games like "Over the Line" anymore.  Its tough to play baseball when you can't find an open area.

 

I agree with you there. And if you have an answer to vandalism or legalism, let me know.