AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > April > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBaseball’s still telling the ‘big lie’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
They kept coming. Hundreds of them. All of those African-American baseball players from just two youth leagues in Fulton County kept streaming out of the tunnel in the right-field corner of Turner Field on Sunday before the Braves’ game against the Florida Marlins.
Somebody’s lying.
Either that, or this was a mirage on what was called “Jackie Robinson Day” throughout the major leagues.
Then again, maybe those 350-something kids with baseball caps, team jerseys and wide eyes didn’t get the word: African-Americans don’t play baseball.
You also had that other scene representing many around the ball park. Within a hook slide of Hank Aaron’s statue on the plaza, Tony Mulrain, 38, squatted to give a hotdog to Morgan, his six-year-old son. They are African-Americans. “This is his first baseball game,” said Tony, glowing nearly as much as the younger Mulrain, who cheerfully wrapped his fingers around the largest bun he’d ever seen.
Guess the Mulrains from Marietta got lost along their way down I-75 to watch folks dribble or tackle.
Which brings us back to the biggest lie in the history of sports: Not only have African-Americans stopped playing baseball as youth, but they all prefer All Mighty Football and Basketball to the sport that Robinson used to become a baseball and civil rights icon. Worse, to hear proponents of sports’ Big Lie tell it, the primary reason why the number of African-American players in baseball has dropped from 27 percent in 1975 to 18 percent in 1982 to barely eight percent this season is because African-Americans don’t care about the game anymore.
With apologies to the late Jack Buck, I guess we aren’t supposed to believe what we just saw on Sunday.
“Wow. I’ll tell you what. I never even heard any of this stuff about African-Americans not liking baseball and preferring to play other sports instead of baseball until I got into the professional ranks,” said Dontrelle Willis, shaking his head in the Marlins’ clubhouse. He is their 25-year-old ace who already ranks among the game’s elite.
Willis also is an African-American from Oakland, Calif. Added Willis, “Where I’m from, everybody plays baseball. Latins. Whites. African-Americans. You think about C.C. Sabathia, and he is from the [San Francisco] Bay area. So is Jimmy Rollins, and Jermaine Dye. It’s really sad, because contrary to what is being said, African-Americans are playing baseball everywhere. Just not in the majors.”
For verification, there were the cold, blustery and gray conditions on Sunday afternoon at Turner Field. How appropriate for an occasion that deserved clouds instead of sunshine. There were as many African-American players in both dugouts combined as there were 60 years before when a Brooklyn Dodgers rookie slid by baseball’s color barrier.
One.
That one was Willis, the only one for the Marlins. In contrast, the Braves join the Houston Astros as the only teams in the majors with zero African-Americans on their 40-man rosters. Just 11 years ago, after the Braves won their only world championship in Atlanta, they started that season with 11 African-Americans on their 40-man roster. This contributes to the strangeness of it all: The Braves have made their fairly quick evolution over the years toward operating without African-Americans players in what supposedly is “the black mecca.”
John Smoltz, the Braves veteran pitcher, who usually has deep thoughts on everything, paused, and then he paused some more. “Uh,” said Smoltz, before another long pause. “You know, obviously, you have trends in baseball. … I actually have no idea. I don’t have any reasons. I don’t have a theory. I’m just going to remember this day for what it stands for, and not for maybe what it doesn’t stand for, if that makes sense.”
Well, it does. You have theory, and then you have reality. In theory, Robinson’s legacy still lives in the majors, with the game retiring his No. 42 and developing a few token initiatives supposedly to attract African-American players. In reality, baseball officials care more about promoting the Big Lie than finding African-American players.
Permalink | Comments (92) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Terence Moore
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By john
April 16, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
bull. I coached little league for 15years. we had 50% black/white. today there is less than 10% black participation. why? year round basketball and parents and coaches push the basketball.
By AMR
April 16, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
So let me get this straight. You’re saying there’s a conspiracy to ignore big-league-ready talent because of skin color, even though most decent players these days are not from the U.S.?? Get real. There’s too much money on the line for owners now to segregate players by skin color – they’re segregated only by talent and production.
By Howard
April 16, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
Terrence…it’s not a racial thing, which I’m sure is what you wish for. It’s about how to make the big bucks the fastest way…and ML baseball is not it anymore. Consider…the turnover rate in MLB is low…players stay around forever with those millions in guaranteed contracts. Have a hangnail? Take six weeks off… Have a stiff neck? Go on the DL for 2 weeks… Have a blister on your finger? Stay out three months… Then throw in the DH and players can stay on that gravy train until they’re 50 years old. Besides, MLB has found a great talent source in the Hispanic and Oriental countries where kids play the sport year round and are good at it. These kids live in real poverty…not like in this country. A kid from Haiti or Dominica or a rural Chinese village or a Japanese town probably thinks making $500 a month, living four to a room in a motel and taking an 8-hour bus ride to play before 500 people in a delapidated old Class A or rookie league park “paradise!” And look at most baseball stars in high school and college…regardless of how rich their contract, very few make it to the big dance before 4 or 5 years aned labor in places like Medicine hat or Amarillo. Look at the NFL and NBA…while the odds are long for a black kid to make there…to them it’s no different than playing the lottery. Also basketball is a sport where you really can better yourself with only yourself and ball…or football where the same applies…maybe another person makes it even better. The turnover rate in these leagues is greater too…those sports are physical and brutally demanding on people’s bodies. Plus in those two sports you don’t produce or play…you’re gone…unlike MLB. Also…which jerseys sell the most? MLB?? Hardly…but look at the NFL and NBA clothing and such!! Also a kid from high school can go straight to the NBA making millions…a kid from college only needs to go 3 years and then they’re gone to the NFL!! I could gone on and on…but it boils down to the NBA and the NFL offer the best chance to make the big bucks quick and reap a little of the glory that doesn’t come from laboring in Bluefield, WV for $500 a month for 4-5 years.
By H-town listener
April 16, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
WOW, how much more can black Americans be Victims? Why does everyone have to come to Black Americans? Look, everyone that made it in this country, made it b/c they worked hard for it. If Black Americans want to play baseball, they have every opportunity as everyone else. You dont see the NBA hanging around the country club and trailer parks do you? Its a business and they will pick the best players no matter what.
Black Americans, please stop listening to guys like the author, believe me, they will hurt you more in the long run. You are not victims and you will no be GIVEN anything, you have to take it!
By JT
April 16, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this
Could you attempt to write one article in which race was not an issue? For all the good that MLB tried to bring the sport yesterday, you just pulled a “Sharpton” and killed it. Way to go.
By Mike
April 16, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
If the dwindling number of black MLB players is such concern, then why aren’t more people distressed over the declining numbers of whites in the NBA and NFL? This should be a non-issue. No teams or leagues are discriminating on race or nationality anymore. The best players will play in the highest leagues of each respective sport. There is no “Big Lie” Terence. I guess black players just aren’t good enough to make the major leagues. That is the same exact answer I would get if I asked why there aren’t more white players in the NBA.
By Dan
April 16, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this
The big lie is that it is an issue The us has a population of about 300M about 12.3% of whom claim to be african american. So first of all a labor group that contains less than 1000 players at the major league level is clearly not indicative or representative of any segment of society. Even if it were logically speaking the historical % of 27% and 18% are far more of a statiscal anomaly than the current just over 8%. Your complaint is a classic example of a manufactured “issue”
By AJ
April 16, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this
Terence, please follow up this brilliant reasoning with a column on how the NBA has failed to develop programs to attract white players into the league in recent years. I feel certain it is a CONSPIRACY by the league to keep whites out (unless they are from Europe of course).
Wake up. In today’s dominant black hip-hop culture basketball is the “accepted” sport. That isn’t the fault of white people.
By Ray
April 16, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this
So you are saying that finding a black player is more important than finding the best possible player ?? As usual , you and your crutch are only making things worse.
By jbirdawg
April 16, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
There is always a conspiracy with you Terrence. I have been coaching youth baseball for 4 years now and never had more than one Af-Am player on my teams. This year I am not coaching and my kid plays on a team with two Af-Am coaches and there are 3 AA kids on the team. When I look around I don’t see a lot of AA participation. I can’t tell you why. It can’t be expense. The leagues are inexpensive. I would have to agree with another poster here that there year round programs for other sports that may be preferred. I know that the pressure to excel in baseball now requires almost year round participation. To make it onto a HS team in Cobb County you just about have to have played serious travel ball to have a chance. The spots available are not kind to the shear numbers of players.
By mike
April 16, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, instead of whinning, make some solid suggestions.
By Steve
April 16, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this
There is obviously a vast conspiracy among the 30 team owners to keep the best athletes off their teams; so much so that not even one is willing to break ranks in an effort to win a championship. They all know that winning is not a priority and if you want to add to the bottom line you have to import your talent from Latin America of the Far East. That is what really brings in the fans. Does any of that make sense? – I didn’t think so.
By Diogenes
April 16, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this
Holy smokes, Terrence, this is a new low, even for you. I can just imagine the nightmares you must have of all those scary white people with guns lining the foul lines, keeping the little black kids off the field so they won’t play baseball. So now, what … you want to drag those same little black kids onto the filed, and tell ‘em they have to play baseball just so they can be like the little white kids? Do you even THINK about any of this stuff before you write it?
By mike
April 16, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
Maybe it’s just that with the obvious majority of the NBA being African American and the NFL being a majority as well that maybe just maybe it’s a preference motivation and not racial……Thats just guessing though.
By Richard
April 16, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
The blacks have the same opportunity as everone else. Like everything else they want you yo give it to them.
By Greg
April 16, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
If there is ever a sequel to Dumb and Dumber ……….please audition!
By Trae Nolin
April 16, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
I cannot believe what I just read. Leave it to Terrance Moore to make it a racial conspriracy. If this is the case with MLB, Then the NBA and NFL are in big trouble. What is the white to black ratio in those leagues. You have always been a disgrace to Journalism.
By SBH
April 16, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
Way to drag the past out for negative drama instead of for something good which is what MLB was trying to do. Maybe YOU should stop seeing the color. Isn’t that what Jackie was trying to establish anyway? You also choose to only point out the Braves small number of African Americans this year but don’t point other teams that may have a larger number. All things come in high waves and low waves throughout time…11 years from now there may be just as many African Americans on the Braves as in 1995-96. One more thing: are you judging and discrediting Andruw Jones, Willy Aybar, Rafael Soriano, on the fact that they were not born in American and therefor not “dark skinned” enough to wear number 42 if they so chose to do? Not only are you judging and discrediting them, but also the 350 kids that walked onto the field. Get over yourself.
By ron leslie
April 16, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, I am a volunteer middle school baseball coach this year at a predominantly black school. Our first day was unbelievable. Most of our students had never played the game. Virtually all of them have fairly refined basketball skills and many play youth league football. They are choosing the sports in which they want to compete.
By Steve
April 16, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this
Yeah, so major league teams want Latinos, Mexicans, Cubans, and Asians…but the Black people are out. It doesn’t matter how good a player is because if he is Black the major league’s don’t want him. There is a conspiracy to keep Blacks out of baseball because baseball has all of the minorities it can handle. The poor Black’s. They just can’t catch a break. I’ll bet John Schuerholz has himself a Black quota…he can only draft so many. And I’ll bet other teams do that as well. There are major league (Black) caliber baseball players just wandering the streets of this country looking for a job. Those damn (rich) white guys are killing this country. When’s a good Black guy gonna catch a break?
By Tom
April 16, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
Terence, please keep the race baiting off the sports page. What’s next…not enough minorities playing hockey.
By A.G.
April 16, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
Terrence, get real my brother.
By Rando
April 16, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
Good article Terrance. The only thing you omitted was the link to Duke.
By David
April 16, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Question: Why does it matter what % of African-American’s play baseball? It’s not the same when they were prevented from playing.
And you don’t hear people saying—how do we get more whites into NBA” or hispanics into football?
As a league MLB should market more because it makes better business sense, but as long as the culture of a large part of African-American is marketed as rap culture, they will continue to flow to the NBA and NFL and stay away from baseball.
By Diogenes
April 16, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this
Aw, Terrence, man … you know I’m really jumping on the “healing” bandwagon after this whole Imus thing. How can we help you “heal” and get past these paranoid, delusional fantasies? You want to get your glove and play catch with me? Would that help?
By Larry
April 16, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
Major League Baseball does not owe African American players any more advantage than any other ethic group. With all the huge salaries being paid, the most talented athletes will aspire to get them. Do you thing that the Atlanta Braves ignore African Americans who are talented? I think not. It is a bigger issue than that and it is sad that it has become a racial issue. Can anyone recall the first Latin player?
By George Mires Sr
April 16, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this
I for one am getting sick and tired of being told that someone deserves ANY position because of the color of his or her skin.
I am 75 years old and played amatuer baseball and basketball. We chose players because of their ability. If the black community would concentrate on becoming the best at their trade the opportunities would be endless.
Why are black Americans called African American?? I have many black associates and friends,none of which were born in Africa. I am an American. Not a European American even though my ancesters were born in Germany.
I think you get the point. Or maybe not
George Mires Kingsland Texas
By Mark Lemke
April 16, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this
what is the big lie? and how do you propose MLB to fix it?
By Tyrone
April 16, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
The major league teams are run by a bunch of racists who could care less about attracting talented african-american players to the game. They need to do a lot more, and give a lot more money to inner city programs instead of this do-nothing attitude. Al Sharpton needs to get involved in this to get these teams moving.
By jimo
April 16, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
Here we go again! Just blame all the problems of the world on the White Man and get it over with. Please don’t look in the mirror because you might see there’s enought blame for everyone. Get over it and get a life.
By Carl
April 16, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this
Terence, I just read the 21 comments to your article above. Not one agreed with your assessment. Well, let me make that 22. So MLB is required to go out and develop a program that will ensure AAs matriculate to the “BIGS.” How can a smart man like you come up with such a load of baloney. Of course that could be my wrong assessment. You made it to the “BIGS” in journalism because you are black, not because of your talent and your desire.
By Larry
April 16, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
Terrance,
I think that there is room for you in the Al Sharpton organization ot maybe Jesse Jackson’s. Maybe there you could address REAL racial issues.
By Larry
April 16, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
Whoever Carl is…Thanks..
By sj
April 16, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
I didn’t even read past the headlines, but I have read each and every response. The responses here remind and reassure me that one day our country will eventually out-last the nuclear winter of simple logic and fairness that political correctness created. One column from you I would read- The principles and practice of accountability in the US 1964-2007, the personal benefits of self-reliance.
By rrg
April 16, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
To add on to what Howard has said, I think there are more career opportunities today for the young African American men. People can make a better living than what they get paid in the minors and choose a career over toiling at A or AA, hoping to get the call up to the bigs. There are more on-ramps to the the middle class and better highway of life than 30 to 40 years ago.
By Eric from MO
April 16, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
Moore when is the last time you complained about there isnt any whites in the NBA. Why is it o.k. for no whites in the NBA but not ok for no blacks in baseball. With all of the foriegners there are just going to be less blacks. There may be only 8% of blacks in baseball but there is 32% of foriegners in baseball. Blacks are a minority there is suppose to be less. Get over it and stop being racist.
By rip
April 16, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
You sound more like Ms. McKinney everyday.
By Scott Case
April 16, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this
If you are black or white, please dont use the term African American as it is is lame. If are white and say it you have actually never met a black person and are trying to prove you are not a bigot. If you are black and say it you are just trying to p** off the establishment and alienating the white people who really don’t give a rat’s a* weather you are black or white as long as you don’t act like a moron.
By Gary Sinyard
April 16, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore; once again you are so full of b******. Your columns are always racial when they dont need to be. Thats why I quit reading your column and why I`m gonna start not reading it again.
By Jeff
April 16, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
I thought Jackie Robinson Day was about integration, Terrence. Nobody in the 1950s could have envisioned what the major leagues would look like today. Japanese, Venezuelans, Koreans, Mexicans, Domincans, inner city kids, country kids, poor kids, rich kids, black, white, yellow…I think it worked!!
By DonCoburleone
April 16, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
I do believe not one person who responded agrees with Terrance on any level (does that tell you something TM?)… I don’t either (I think). I really don’t know what he’s trying to say here, I guess that black players are playing baseball at a young age and white owners are simply refusing to put them into the Major Leagues? Cuz if that is what you are trying to say Terence, then it is utterly ridiculous. Previous posts bring up very good points about white football and basketball players; I mean, who currently in the NBA today is the best American born WHITE player? Kirk Heinrich? Jayson Williams? Wally Sczerbiak? I mean come on, give me a break… What happened to guys like Stockton, Mullin, Hornacek, Bird, West and Cousy??? OOOOOHHHHH, that’s right. White people can’t talk about that because if we did we’d be labeled as racists… Or how about the fact that the number of American-born white players in MLB has been steadily declining since the 70’s also? It’s called DIVERSITY! You know that thing equal-rights advocates have been seeking for decades? In 2007, there are a greater number of MINORITY groups in baseball than ever before (and that is an indisputable fact). So shouldn’t we be celebrating the fact that a greater number of Latino and Asian born players are getting a chance to play in the big leagues rather than looking at 1 incident of 1 individual minority group and then just claim some racist conspiracy? And how about some FACTS to back up your point that African-American youth’s in this country are in fact still playing the game? You see a few hundred black faces at a Braves game and from that 1 observation you have enough information to conclude that MLB is lying to us and owners are conspiring with each other to keep Af.Am’s out of baseball? Wow, what journalism…
By Jeff
April 16, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this
Terrence, I am amazed you are allowed to continually stir the racial pot, especially when race is NOT even an underlying issue in MOST of the areas for which you write. Not only that, but I am amazed that the AJC allows you to continually publish such trash for the sake of controversy over professionalism and truth. Both of you should be ashamed, but obviously good bed fellows.
By Charles
April 16, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
Essentially, this article is a lot of ranting without you making one SINGLE point…here’s a challenge for you, Terrence: if you can provide facts of some huge logjam in the minor leagues or college baseball where blacks aren’t getting a shot to make it to the ML, I might lend one ounce of credibility to your article…alas, you won’t find such facts. Know why? Cuz young black Americans are opting to play basketball and football…and there’s not a thing wrong with that.
I suppose you’ll be writing about the disproportionate # of white dudes in the NBA next, huh, Terrence?
Quit trying to stir up controversey where there is none. There is nothing holding black Americans back from making the ML other than themselves. I know playing the race card is your MO a lot of the time, but there have been times in the past where you actually made me think on an issue.
This one’s cut and dry: MLB would love to have more black-American players…I’m sure we all would love to see that…but it ain’t gonna happen because in order to be a pro, you have to give your heart and soul to the game. Sure, these kids play when they’re 10-years-old…we all play 3 sports then…
But when its time for them to choose that one sport—you know, those special few who have the ability to compete in the athletic arena—black or white—the majority of our black Americans are choosing basketball and football. That’s the way it is…it ain’t a conspiracy, bro.
By Seagle
April 16, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
You’re right Mr. Moore…The Braves, for instance, aren’t looking for the best players they can get to win baseball games…they just want to keep blacks off the team. You’re a bigger idiot than I thought….no, that’s not possible Virgil Seagle
By steve
April 16, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
Possibly some operative variables: 1) Unfortunately, to play baseball you need a very large space. To play basketball you need a 10’ hoop only. Consequently, there are more ‘local’ opportunities to enjoy basketball and develop interest and skill. 2) To get to the baseball field you typically need to have a set of parents interested enough to engage you in the sport and then drive you to daily after school practice and weekend games. 3) This also assumes there is a reasonable spacing among siblings. 4) Also, the very nature of baseball does not lend itself to self-promotion unlike the primitive displays of gorilla-like chest thumping after a TD or a slam dunk. Now please tell me how and why the inner-city black child choses baseball?
By bk hawk
April 16, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
Is this the same TM who said “don’t fire Imus”.
By KR
April 16, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
Terrence, If a white person wrote or said the things about blacks that you saw about whites, you and the racists black groups would demand that they be fired!!!!!!!!! I think its time for you to go away…….. Shame on the AJC for allowing you to keep a job.
By Phil
April 16, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this
Terrance, I generally agree with you on social/racial issues. But, for once, your Bubba and non-Bubba readers are right. Your “Big Lie” column is silly. I see very few black baseball players on college baseball teams or on high school baseball teams, even in areas of a large black student body. (Not many potential professional players are going to be drafted from performance in youth leagues). In any event, in two years of coaching little league baseball, in an area with a large black population, I saw only 1 or 2 black players per team. I don’t know enough to know why this situation exists, but I think it’s silly to cast the blame with major league baseball; not that I see the league as progressive. Do you really believe league owners are more bigoted than they were in 1976. Has John Scherholz become a bigot since the early 90’s, when the Braves had more black players?
By Charles
April 16, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this
I suppose we can expect an article on the disproportionate # of whites in the NBA tomorrow, huh, Terrence?
This article is nothing more than a bunch of ranting without making a single point.
Tell you what, Terrence…you provide me with some #s on some logjam in either the minor leagues or college baseball proving that black-Americans are not getting a shot at MLB, and I might lend one ounce of credibility to this nonsense. Alas, you can’t and assuredly won’t.
Sure, we all play 3 sports when we’re 10…but when the chosen few who have the ability to compete in the athletic arena—black or white—reach a certain age, it becomes decision time…and blacks routinely choose basketball or football. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
But hey, keep stirring up controversey where absolutely zero exists…sells papers, right??
By Bravos
April 16, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
This is the dumbest article I’ve ever read. I find it hard to believe that you are actually allowed to voice your opinion on such a prominent site as the Braves’. I’m not sure there is a single positive comment posted in regards to your story, and that’s indicative of just how ridiculous you sound writing this article. You’ve turned a great day into another round of the blame game, and if anyone is at fault, it is you. You say that there is only one African-American player on the field on this particular day, and make this into a race issue. If it is a race issue, then why do the Braves starters include Edgar Renteria and Andruw Jones, and the Marlins starters include Miguel Cabrera, Hanley Ramirez, and a number of others, all who have something other than a “white” tone to their skin? Stop writing this nonsense.
By matt
April 16, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
I sent an email to you Mr. Moore when you wrote an almost identical article a couple of weeks ago, with no response. Why is this MLB obligation and responsibility to make their sport more appealing to the black youth? Is it eventually going to be the NHL’s responsibility and obligation to do the same? Why is it not possible that baseball just isn’t as appealing to the black youth as it once was? Why is that to easy of an answer for you? Who do black youth look up to? Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Terrel Owens, Reggie Bush, Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb, Tracy McGrady? This is who they aspire to be like. The hip-hop culture caters to these two sports as well and serves as a direct link between them. Video games market their games around them as well. NBA games, NBA street games, NFL street are all marketed towards black youth as their primary consumer. The fact that you dominate 2 of the 3 major sports isn’t good enough. You need to whine because their isn’t enough blacks in baseball. It’s hard to progress as a race if you’re always concentrating on the negative.
By michael
April 16, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this
Don’t blame mlb for the low percentage of african-americans in baseball. We are not playing the game. Our kids are more interested in basketball and football. It is our job to fix up our communities where our kids can play the game.
Michael
By ILL-logical
April 16, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this
Thanks for calling out JS the GM who swore he didn’t sign K’s with no trade clauses(see M Hampton); didn’t re-negotiate K’s before the expired(see B McCann) and didn’t know that his son -a marginal player -signed a $2 million K with his team. As JS’s former boss and co-conspierator once said: we are trying to get closer to our natural constituency.
Does the A on the Braves caps now stand for Aryan ?
By mark
April 16, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
Are you saying that their are black players who are capable and waiting and are not being given the chance to be called up? What music to black youths listen to? HIP HOP! And what sport/sports are most closely associated through videos, apparel and certain athletes wanting to be hip hop stars? THAT’S RIGHT!!!! FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL BABY!!!! You view this as some injustice that is being done towards blacks. You never stop to consider that maybe, just maybe, MLB can’t compete with the NBA and NFL in marketing their product towards black youth. The NBA has the easiest and quickest road to millions. You can turn pro straight from highschool. Even if you go to college you only have to stay one year! Minor league baseball players make next to no money and have a VERY small chance of making it just surely based on how many other players there are. Lebron and Vick are the sports icons for those kids, not Griffey Jr. and Ryan Howard. Keep whining though, i’m sure Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton will come calling and sooner or later we’ll have hip-hop night at the Ted!!
By steve
April 16, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
I had baloney for my stomach for lunch and baloney for my brain with this column. The funny thing is that I didn’t know or ask if the person who made the baloney or sold the baloney was black or white. I didn’t care, but then again, I was hungry. I think your problem actually is white people. Because of the collective guilt they are being saddeled with from the media about slavery many have actually swallowed the real BIG LIE and have allowed people like you to spend a creer pontificating about discrimination. I think you do a very large disservice to ‘your’ people. Just eat the baloney sandwich and enjoy it. Who cares who made it?
By smitty
April 16, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
What is MLB doing to reach out to white and hispanic kids???? If they don’t want to play that’s their fault.
By Jim
April 16, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
I don’t understand, playing baseball is a choice, and if fewer African-Americans choose to play baseball why is MLB at fault? African Americans are not barred from the sport, Little League and youth baseball programs are pletiful in areas that have large African American populations, and there are many positive role models past and present for young African-Americans to look to. Implying that MLB is racist because it is not attractive enough to African Americans is ludicrous and detracts from the many non-cosmetic battles that African Americans must face. I have yet to read anything from any serious sportswriter decrying The lack of whites playing in the NBA. In the intrests of diversity, equality, or just plain fairness can I look forward to a column on that subject anytime soon?
Also your own prejudices are clearly laid bare here in your refusal to recognize the (for lack of a better term) blackness of the many Latino players who are of African descent. Honestly, who died and made you the arbiter of who is African American and who isn’t? Just because a player was born in another country and speaks Spanish means that he will never qualify for your fraternity? Next time you meet Andruw Jones tell him that you have decided that he is not, nor ever will be, African American and see how he reacts.
By Frank
April 16, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
I don’t watch basketball because you have idiots playing the game.I love baseball and could care who plays from where as long as they know how to be professional!
By pepper
April 16, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this
Come on Mr Moore, you can think, write, and expound better than this column. You like the number one (1) since it supposedly supports you lack of black players in baseball, yet I read or heard nothing from you on 4.2.07 right here in ATL when there were 9 black players and ONE (1) Caucasian for the NCCA finals. Please understand - I AM NOT a racist or bigot, but like you, one who respects balance, fairness, and due diligence for ALL mankind regardless of race or creed.
By Eric Shelander
April 16, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
T, as usual you have managed to eat both your feet at the same time. PLEEEEEEEESE!!!! Enough with the VICITIMESE!!!!! You line of reasoning is asinine and stupid. Truth of the matter is find a black pitcher can through three major league pitches, and win 15 games a year, and any one of the teams will sign him right now. Heck they might even sign HER right now whether they are black, white, or yellow with pink polka dots. It is not about color, it is about ability. T, get a life and get over it. Life is passing the victim by. And sadly, you have made yourself a victim.
By Toby Cash
April 16, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
Could it be that Black youngsters are being led down the basketball and football route by their peers and parents? I have never seen a sign on any little league or High School baseball tryout that said “no black apply”. I think you are reaching the bottom of the barrel when you come up with an article like this one. How many whites do you see in the NBA or NFL..They are not preaching discrimination.
By FIRE HIM
April 16, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
FIRE TERRENCE…. For racially inflammatory statements. You are being a racist!!! And that should not be allowed no matter what your race!!
By Chrisq
April 16, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
Did Bo pick baseball first? Did Deon pick baseball first? They both played both but what contract was signed first?
By ED
April 16, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
Mr Moore, Bill Cosby called, wants to talk to you!
By ms schuerholz
April 16, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
You have done it again. Kernel of truth, extrapolated wildly to a badly flawed conclusion.
Af. Americans = 12% u.s. pop
Af. Americans = 8% mlb players
That’s because the % of white players is down since 1975, too.
Reason? Rise of latin and asian players, wildly higher than it was 30 years ago.
What should the latin/asia reduction initiative be Terence?
By steve
April 16, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this
Newsflash! Only one black woman is on the women’s gymnastics team at UGA. There are 17 active team members and 8 of them are blond. Do we need a redhead? Call Al and Jesse and boycott until either someone dyes their hair or we get the pc correct percent of redheads? Oh, one more thing….The head dawg (AD) is black and there is only one of them. Please tell me the discrimination story in this?
By A Government Worker
April 16, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Why don’t I get a day off for Jackie Robinson day?
By TRobb
April 16, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
Oh, yeah, a*******hole, it’s a conspiracy. Free market at work is more like it. Black folk want to do other things with their time. I’m OK with that; why aren’t you?
Big Lie. Conspiracy. Please. God, I am sick of idiots like Terence Moore destroying any attempts at reconciliation and progress with his race-baiting crap.
By JUST LISTENING
April 16, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
Terrance, you have so outsmarted all us Bubba’s who have responded. I realize that the AJC directed you to write such a biggoted, raceist collection of dribble in order to get a response, any response to see if they still have any Terrance Moore readers left. We have responded so I guess you get to keep your job.
By DJISTHEGREATESTQBEVERTOPLAYINTHEHISTORYOFFOOTBALL
April 16, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
Moore, your a racist pig.
By bfred
April 16, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
I’m sure Andruw Jones would be pleased to hear that he doesn’t qualify as a black player in Terrance’s eyes because he was born in Curacau instead of Atlanta. Do you think if he were not a major league player he would be treated any differently on the street than an “African-American”? This column is not only lazy, it is insulting to every other minority that is not part of Moore’s permitted victim’s list. Latino, Asian and other foreign-born players are replacing whites as well - can we spin that into a conspiracy? No wonder I have to settle for an office job, a Dominican took my roster spot!
Does anyone on the AJC editorial board read the responses to these columns? Is there any hope that job performance will ever be a criterion for who is employed by this paper?
By DJ
April 16, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
VICTIM, VICTIM, VICTIM, VICTIM, VICTIM, VICTIM, VICTIM, VICTIM, VICTIM, VICTIM, VICTIM, VICTIM!!!!!
Sorry, Just writing the headlines for Terence’s next 12 articles.
By bfred
April 16, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
And by the way, while the “easier to play basketball in an urban setting” argument might hold water for basketball, explain football, which takes at least as large a space, more people on a team, and a lot more equipment than baseball. Just because you repeat something often enough it does not automatically become true.
By fred
April 16, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
I thought we were all “equal folks”!!!The goal is to provide “opportunity” and let EVERYONE compete.
You want “equality by race”———duhhhh?
Try Russia.
Fred
By Will
April 16, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this
No African-Americans? To be fair (about the Braves)… There are only 18 (White)American players period… Thats less than half. The decline could be attributed to rising numbers of foreign players coming in and playing.
By noneya
April 16, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore,
You can’t be serious. A few “hundred” little league players coming out of a dugout at Turner Field or what went on in Dontrelle Willis’ neighborhood 20 years ago does not tell the full story. Take a look at these little league players then come back 5 years from now and see if they are still playing. I guarantee you a lot of them will drop off. A lot of little league ball players are “guided” into playing little league sports by their parents when they are real young but as they get older they start to make their own decisions about what sport they want to play. Baseball lags behind.
By josh
April 16, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
Terrence Moore is an idiot.
The NBA needs to have more white players. It’s a conspiracy I tell ya.
By WhineyA$$RacistTerrance
April 16, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
Although your logic is flawed Terence - I will be glad to tell you something - something you already know.
THE WHITE MALE RUNS THIS WORLD AND WILL CONTINUE TO RUN THIS WORLD AT LEAST THROUGH YOUR LAST PATHETIC BREATH!
Knowing this is the only consolation I have after reading your dribble and that is that I will NEVER have to worry about your sorry as* telling me what to do or making decisions for me. You will NEVER be more than a mouthpiece for the racewhores Al and Jesse. You are ALL a bunch of pathetic, whiney-a* racists.
By Rex
April 16, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
80 % of america is white and 13% of america is black, 60% of mlb is white and 8% of mlb is black
By UNBELIEVABLE
April 16, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this
Absolutely blows me away to read such an idiotic story! Not that it really matters but I along with all my family and friends will definitely no longer subscribe or even purchase the AJC. Just plain ridiculous and outraging.
By Ed
April 16, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, I will bet that 8 x 4 chip you are currently carrying on your shoulder is “white oak”. C’mon, get real. I am sure guys like Bonds (SF)and Howard (PHI) made their decisions to play ball based on their skills not their race, MLB works the same way.
By MizzouGuru
April 16, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this
Hey, you guys back off Terence! He is serving his appropriate business function for the AJC as they have a large African-American base and Terence keeps them happy with stories of the white man with forked tongue.
By A White Person
April 16, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
Diversity sucks.
By Heather
April 16, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore,
You’ve got “them” hooked! Who cares if all your readers fight you and don’t believe what you say…the point is they’re READING and by reading, they’re questioning, and that’s enough to get the conversations started. You said enough to provoke the response! Loved the article! It was great!
By Ed G
April 16, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
Jackie Robinson - one major step forward. Terrance Moore - two steps back. Pitty!
By Marc
April 16, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this
None of you people can spell worth a damn. Now it’s done, now it’s out in the open.
By Kevin
April 16, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
Terrance, we all know you are black, get over that its not 1960 anymore. It is you, Al Sharpton, and the race mongers that continually stir up racial tension and conflict. Its okay for black people to poke fun and say cracker jokes but whooooooaaa watch out. When a cracked out white person says “nappy headed hos” man he is racist and a bigot. PLeasseeeeee, your an idiot. Your race degrades your own race with the word “n****” and never once is anything said. Never does the black community make a focused effort to teach their kids not to say those things. Grow up and quit playing the race card in every aspect of our and your lives. I am tired of it. and the world is too.
By D Baugh
April 16, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
In case you didn’t notice Terence, The Tour de Georgia (its a bicycle race Terence) started today without a BLACK - GASP! Kinda like swimmin’ huh?
By A White Person
April 16, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this
I like hoes.
By Jim
April 16, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
Why is this a one sided story? What about the declining numbers of whites in basketball and football? The issue goes both ways.
By Bill Campbell
April 16, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
I think we need to try to integrate the projects a little more, and introduce white people to those areas around the Georgia Dome.
By jrwadsworth
April 16, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this
Articles like this are not helping the issue of racism today. Manufacturing racism like this hurts both whites and blacks alike. It makes the African American population believe in issues that are not legitimate issues while at the same time making real race issues out there today watered down into no more than “the boy that cried wolf” issues. And no Terrance “boy” was not used in a derogatory manner there; it is a figure of speech used for decades not a racist inuendo. Find something legitimate to write about Terrance and stop fueling the racism fire with non-flammable arguements.