Only 6.8% of the players in MLB are Black, one of the smallest percentages of African-Americans in the sport since baseball was fully integrated in 1959. JackieRobinsonDay from usatodayopinion
“This means so much for our family, helping carry his legacy forward,’’ says Sonya Pankey, the eldest and only grandchild who met Robinson before he died in 1972. “This generation can learn from Grandpa Jack, reminding them about the social change he brought, and understand the sacrifices he made.
The only Black GM or head of baseball operations today is Ken Williams, vice president of the Chicago White Sox. “He was a heck of a leader, a heck of a man, and meant so much to so many people. I remember asking Jim why did Jackie die from so young? He told me, 'Jackie died of a broken heart.’’’ There is one Black person in charge of baseball operations, two Black managers and 66 African-Americans among the 975 players on opening-day rosters and injured lists.
“I’m a Black man who gave everything I could do for the game of baseball. I damn near died on the field. I’ve been operated on 13 times because of baseball.MLB cites its diversity youth outreach and amateur baseball development programs. It formed a partnership with the Players Alliance, pledging to contribute as much as $150 million over the next 10 years. It recently appointed Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr.
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