By Sports Business Journal
Photos: YouTube Screenshots
Major League Baseball, which is celebrating Jackie Robinson Day today, “desperately could use an infusion of young players to curb the erosion of African Americans in its leagues,” according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY.
The Cardinals are MLB’s lone team to “have three everyday Black position players under the age of 25 this season” — RF Jordan Walker, SS Masyn Winn and CF Victor Scott II.
According to a USA Today Sports study, the Black population on opening-day rosters and injured lists this season is just 5.7%, the “lowest since 1955.” Five teams do not have a Black player on their roster, with 10 others “just having one player.”
For the first time since 1952, there is not a single Black player on either the Cubs or White Sox, despite playing in a city with the “largest Black population in the country.”
MLB, which has had three Black players called up to the big leagues since opening day, is “encouraged there are 23 other Black players on 40-man rosters who are in the minors.” The league has also had 74 Black players “participate in their Spring Breakout games.”
Missouri Sports HOF broadcaster Mike Claiborne said, “We have this generation playing in an era where African American participation is stagnant. To see these young guys come along, and the way they’re so engaged, they’re going to be great players and role models not just for the Cardinals, but for all of baseball.” He added, “They are exactly what the game needs.” READ MORE…
