Why are Hunter and Sheffield making a huge deal about RACE?!?

Question

in the last week, both tigers OF gary sheffield and twins OF torii hunter have made comments about the lack of african-american players inthe MLB

and they (especially hunter) blamed it on the accesibility of Hispanic ballplayers who sign contracts for much less than an african american would??

are their argument valid or is it something else?? i wanna know wut everyone else thinks about this issue

Answer 1

If you haven't noticed, its not just those two. Throughout this past "year" race has been an issue in baseball. Adande, Wilbon, Marriotti, everyone on espn is talking about this!

Besides, both Hunter and Sheffield made great reasons of why.

Didn't you see that chart yesterday night on espn??? I was surprised myself as well!!!

Answer 2

There is an old saying regarding baseball that goes something like this, "No matter where you play, if you hit for a high enough average, the major leagues will find you." Meaning, that baseball isn't about who you are or where you come from, it's about what you can do on the field. I'm suprised to hear this from Tory Hunter, Sheffield has always run off at the mouth with ridiculous comments. I've never cared much for him and quite frankly think he is one of the most over-rated players of all time. Does MLB has a prejudice against black players? Come on, get real... they just spent millions promoting Jackie Robinson's anniversary and there have been several black managers in recent years. The best players make the field... period. I suggest that Hunter and Sheffield need to focus on helping their teams win and leave the inane whining to Jesse and Al.

Answer 3

Hunter and Sheff make valid points, but they're leaving a LOT of details out. For starters, it's not race alone. Any young American player with a lick of talent is going to seek the most money they can get. From a business standpoint, it's brilliant to seek out equally talented players who will play for less. I don't want anyone knocking me on that theory, because we're not talking about minimum wage here. Players get good money to play baseball in the states. Even minor leaguers get enough to where working half the year and playing ball half the year could put them well on their way to owning a nice home in a nice neighborhood.

And hey! Anyone wanna be like Mike? Inner city kids do, but not entirely by choice. Jordan started it all. The ultimate sports superstar. He's flashy, he's got class, and he wins. Marketability? Off the charts! And the fact that he's a minority attracts an unheard of migration from other sports to the NBA's front doorstep. Most inner city kids don't have fields or even sandlots to play on. If they did, baseball equipment (glove, balls, bat, helmet, cleats, etc.) would be awfully expensive compared to a single basketball. And it's much easier to maintain a gravel, dirt, or asphault court with a couple hoops than it is a field.

Nobody should be blaming Latinos for this. They get golden opportunities to make money playing the game they'd play for free anyway in their native country. I'd much rather see players like that than greedy Americans any day. MLB has plenty of minorities, but Hunter and Sheffield are right, there aren't many black players. How to resolve it?

a) Put fields in downtown locations. Heaven forbid that precious allies are destroyed in the process.

b) Provide equipment for kids. Baseball is expensive for anyone below middle class in America, and kids of all races, not just blacks, have trouble playing because of it.

c) It pains me that this is necessary in the first place, but baseball needs a black superstar hitter if blacks are to regain any interest in the game. Young black kids see baseball and they see white people, Hispanic people, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Venezualan, etc. etc. They can't envision themselves as Major League players as easily because they can't relate to the players (the same is true of the NHL). And NO Bonds is not the answer. A player that's like Guerrero or Pujols (with integrity) who just mashes the ball and puts up huge HR and RBI totals is exciting for young kids. Crawford stealing bases is nice, but it won't get the young kids back in the game.

Bottom line: Hunter and Sheffield make valid arguments, but they left out the full story.

Answer 4

Sheffield is always spouting off about something,he just can't help himself. He's trouble wherever he goes. He likes to hear himself speak. It doesn't matter that there's a lack of interest by african-americans to play baseball,Sheff just needs something to moan about. Hispanic players play ball everyday in there home countries which is why they are so sought after. I can't speak for Hunter as I don't know too much about him. I do know I wouldn't mine having him come play for the Yankees!

Answer 5

They both make a good point. As you saw in the draft yesterday, a black player was taken first in the draft. Now, the Devil Rays must pay him around two million dollars. The thing is, if he is a bust, you are out two million dollars but if you go get a Latino player, you only have to pay them very little so if he is a bust, you don't lose too much money. You could get 10 Latino players with equal talent as one black player and pay the Latino players less. It is not because black people are selfish or greedy, it is because the Latino baseball players won't get any baseball down in Central America. They need to come to the USA to play baseball. They will come to the United States of America for no money just to play baseball.

Answer 6

It's so much hot air. These are 2 men who like to cry "racist" when things don't go their way. Sheffield is an admitted slacker with a terrible attitude. He admitted that he dogged it while with the Brewers.

Society cries for "diversity". When they get it, then they cry because one group is not represented "enough".

Answer 7

They are making great points. There are definetly decreasing numbers of black players in the majors, and an increasing number of latin american players. Sheff got Tigers teammate Carlos Guillen to agree with him. I think more people are reflecting on that idea, and it is an interesting topic.

Answer 8

I think they are somewhat valid. If anyone would know they would. I just dont like how they can say this and not really take any heat for it, but if a white player said something along these lines he would be a racist and attacked in every paper and on every radio and television sports show.

Answer 9

There is always big hype around Sheff and the Media...they need to leave him be already. He's talented and intimidating...that's where people get envious and want to try to ruin his image.

GO Sheff...keep hitting those home runs & helping my team!!! :)

GO TIGERS!!

Answer 10

I think it's much more of a Basketball and Football thing, than it is a racist thing.