Somebody else rips baseball’s Big Lie on black players
Baseball’s Big Lie will continue this season, stretching from Turner Field, where Garret Anderson likely will be the only African-American for the Braves on opening day, to elsewhere in the major leagues, where the number of African-Americans overall in the game will continue its silly 30-year plunge from 27 percent to maybe eight percent.
This is disgusting. I’m talking about that plunge, along with Baseball’s Big Lie, which suggests: Courtesy of the hip-hop generation, featuring His Airness and the Falcons’ No. 7 in the recent past and the current likes of LeBron, Kobe and Dwyane, African-American youth couldn’t care less about that tired game of Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron and the rest.
It’s just that C.J. Stewart is around to tell the truth. This former Chicago Cubs outfielder via the rough streets of Atlanta’s northwest side is in his second year of running an organization with his wife, Kelli, called LEAD (Launch, Expose, Advise, Direct). It gives free instructions on baseball, education and life to inner-city youth between the ages of 14 to 18.
Said Stewart, 32, “It’s definitely a myth that black kids don’t like baseball anymore, but here’s what’s happening. You go to the south side of Atlanta, and there are tons of kids who play, but the numbers begin to decrease. They get to a certain age where you have to have skills, because their competition elsewhere, such as in East Cobb, is being trained.”
Enter Stewart, holding tryouts this weekend for one of several teams associated with LEAD. Tryouts will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Maynard Jackson High School. Those interested can go to www.lead2legacy.org.
“Over time, our program is going to benefit the Braves the most, because most of the kids come in wearing Braves caps, and it’s their dream to play for the Braves someday,” said Stewart, which brings us to this: So who is C.J. Stewart again, and why should anybody care? Well, he’s a blessing, but only if you enjoy somebody with great passion for a cause when he has the credentials to look the other way.
For the past decade, Stewart has trained players of all colors for $100 per hour at his high-tech facility in Marietta. Many of his pupils are at major college programs such as Georgia Tech, and they often sign with the pros. Braves top prospect Jason Heyward sought Stewart’s help despite commuting from Henry County to Cobb County.
The more impressive journey is that of Stewart. While surviving Hollywood Courts housing projects, he became an honor student at Westlake High School. He later played baseball at DeKalb Junior College and Georgia State. Then he signed with the Cubs before serving as a scout for the Cincinnati Reds and forming his current Marietta business called Diamond Directors Consulting.
LEAD is Stewart’s heart, though.
“We’re going to make kids from the inner city skillful,” Stewart said. “It’s just a quick drive for them down to Turner Field, and there’s no reason why those numbers (of African-Americans in the game) can’t increase.”
Not unless baseball actually believes the Big Lie.
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122 comments Add your comment
Jackie Robinson Fan
March 24th, 2009
3:17 pm
Moore, you WISH you could live in Cobb County.
You are not worthy to speak Jackie Robinson’s great name, Moore. (Frankly, neither am I, but at least I don’t disgrace his name like you do to further some hatemongering agenda.)
Mister Obvious
March 24th, 2009
3:29 pm
Gee, it sure sounds like Terence has some SERIOUS issues with the law-abiding, clean-cut, non-tattooed, edcuated, baseball-loving citizens of Conservative Cobb County.
George Harris
March 24th, 2009
3:46 pm
The Big Lie is that there is a huge gap between “black” and “white” players, while completely neglecting the fact that many “black” players choose to be listed as Hispanic. Hispanic is more of a country of origin than a race. Remember, that when Andruw Jones was playing for the Braves, he was not considered to be a “black” player, but instead hispanic. In truth, he was a black, hispanic baseball player for the Braves.
GH
Ryno
March 24th, 2009
3:49 pm
Mr. Moore,
I’ll add another point to your article. I believe that Baseball needs to be marketed to urban youths as a means of getting a quality education. Football and Basketball are already well known as a means of getting a college scholarship – why not college baseball?
Georgia Tech (#3 nationally) and Georgia (#1 nationally) should take equal measures to reach out to Black Atlantans in hopes of further developing talent for their programs. Georgia is already known as an outstanding state for Football and Basketball recruiting – why not baseball too?
Thanks for all you do Terence!
All I'm Saying Is...
March 24th, 2009
3:52 pm
Great story, Terence! You raise a legitimate issue (the significant decline in African-American participation in Major League Baseball), you pinpoint the precise reason why (the training now starting at an early age almost required to be successful in baseball available to select youth but prohibitively time-consuming and expensive for most, particularly less economically advantaged kids) and you offer a solution (LEAD) — which is more than can be said for 80-90% of all folks in general and practically 100% of those who post a comment in response to anything you write. I happen to have the means to have my son participate in baseball but the time commitment is overwhelming and I know first-hand that you have to start them at the age of 4 or 5 and have that practically be their sole pursuit almost year-round.
Terence Moore
March 24th, 2009
4:08 pm
All I’m Saying IS . . .
Thanks for your insigthful words. Your points are even more credible since you are living this situation with your son.
Hopefully, your son will be the next-great-something in baseball — or beyond.
Terence Moore
March 24th, 2009
4:10 pm
Ryno,
I forgot to mention: Your points also are right on target.
Brad
March 24th, 2009
4:53 pm
When will the article about white kids not playing in the NBA be out for publications? Just curious? I don’t watch sporting events because of the players skin color. I watch because of the spirit and competition of the sport. Grow a life.
rickyt
March 24th, 2009
4:56 pm
Wow, great article! You get paid for that Terence? Who’s your editor? That’s great journalism. What are you writing on tommorrow, the lack of black swim coaches across the country. Is there no parks and rec in s. atlanta? How do you gain “skills”? You practice and work hard, it has nothing to do with money. These kids from the Dominican are way more poor than anyone in america and they hit rocks with sticks and come to a country at a young age where they don’t know the language and work hard in the minor leagues to get the priveledge of playing in the major leagues. Work hard= achievement. There are no handouts in sports, the best players play, they become the best because of hard work. Notice a theme here?
RAMBLE ON!!!
March 24th, 2009
5:32 pm
So this must be why TM hates GT and lies about them cheating in swimming, or having ND move to the same sidelines. Lies with no retractions.
The Jayson Blair of the AJC.
RAMBLE ON!!!
March 24th, 2009
5:36 pm
THE AJC’S BIG LIE, TERENCE MOORE
TommyP
March 24th, 2009
5:44 pm
Terence: I’ve coached for years ranging from baseball to basketball to football to volleyball.
I’ve coached in urban areas and rural areas.
I’ve coached kids from 6 years old up to seniors in high school.
At an urban school, I fielded a completely white team in baseball. A few African-American kids tried out but they were abysmal. I fielded some heat from a parent, a board member and the principal for this but told them they could fire me if they forced me to add an African-American kid for political reasons. (they didn’t)
On the flip side, I fielded a basketball team that was 95% African-American.
The truth of the matter is most of your African-American kids play football and basketball…that’s where their interests lie. From a very, very early age.
You can call this “The Big Lie” (please me more friggin’ original than this, though) but that’s your prerogative.
How DO the Dominican kids make it without money, Terence?
Is LEAD being marketed to urban white kids?
Why aren’t there more Asians in the NBA? Hispanics in the NFL? Are you trumpeting their causes?
Just asking…..
pete kelly
March 24th, 2009
6:07 pm
Terrence,
If you really want to do something about black kids playing baseball,tell the Atlanta Public School System to get off their butts
and help out.They do absolutely nothing.Grady High has to travel
across town to practice and play games.Thanks for nothing APS!
CJ Stewart
March 24th, 2009
6:17 pm
Hello Tommy P. My name is CJ Stewart and I am the person that Terrence speaks about in the article. I want to answer your question in regards to L.E.A.D. being marketed to urban white kids. I am the founder of L.E.A.D. but also the president/CEO of Diamond Directors which has been based in Marietta for over 10 years. It has always been and will continue to be my goal to increase the quality of the game of baseball through quality instruction. An educated player (both on and off the field) has unlimited opportunities in life both on and off the field.
I love my job and I simply want to help kids and families achieve their goals using baseball as the anchor. We have helped families from all races through Diamond Directors (my for profit business) for quite some time but it has always been a dream of mine to give back to the community that raised me. I was born in the inner city of Atlanta and baseball has afforded me some awesome experiences. L.E.A.D. focuses on increasing the number of inner city players that are playing competitve baseball for the purpose of receiving scholarship dollars so that they continue their education. Players in the inner city aren’t playing competitively because they lack the professional instruction necessary to convert their raw talent to the skills required to compete at a high level. Professional instruction is expensive and most kids in the inner city can’t afford.
So I am basically bringing the success of my company Diamond Directors (www.diamonddirectors.com) to the inner city through L.E.A.D. But L.E.A.D. is more than baseball on the field. L.E.A.D. based on the foundation of service in the community and enrichment. We are creating a new generation of players. One’s that are civically engaged and skillful enough to be afforded the opportunity to advance to the college ranks so that they can receive a college education.
L.E.A.D. and Diamond Directors will continue to provide quality baseball instruction to the city of Atlanta and the U.S. for the love of the game.
Thank you TommyP for sharing your comments.
Baracked the vote!
March 24th, 2009
6:25 pm
I think Stewart’s heart might be in training players at $100 an hour.
TommyP
March 24th, 2009
6:26 pm
CJ Stewart: I appreciate your love for what you do and wanting to help ALL kids of all races.
I just wish Terence could feel the same way.
gp295
March 24th, 2009
6:28 pm
Black baseball player get turn down when they are getting into the sport in south ga. there is enough talent around to supply major league until they become teenager.
BillMc
March 24th, 2009
6:46 pm
Having become familiar with L.E.A.D. recently, I think it is inportant to point out that the mission is about more than just baseball. CJ Stewart (and his wife Kelli) have crafted three-pronged programming. Yes, CJ’s expert baseball instruction does help to build a player’s skills. Additionally, L.E.A.D. participants must demonstrate civic engagement through community service projects and must maintain certain academic performance in high school to particpate in the program. The goal is to increase the participants’ chances of continuing their education at the college level with the sport of baseball as part of the equation. CJ and Kelli are doing L.E.A.D. from the heart, pure and simple..and they are positively impacting the lives of many young people in the process.
bass stringerfish
March 24th, 2009
6:49 pm
Mr. Moore, unlike a lot of the opinion here whenever you write something (shoot you could do another piece about how great The Hammer is and people will still say nasty things) I take what you write for what its worth in that piece. And frankly I just don’t follow this thought process – and to be sure, its not just you. This comes up all the time in one way or another. My question is why is this a question that continues to come up, but you (or others) never write about the lack of other races in other sports. Its ALWAYS why aren’t there Black Coaches, why aren’t there Black this or that. Why is it that we continue to perpetuate this? I don’t get it. Lets face it. Its hard to get 15-18 folks to go play a game of baseball, its easy to get 2 for BBall or a few for football…it’s easy to put a hoop on a tree and play, not so much hitting a baseball…but I for one am sick and tired of reading this kind of piece. Hispanics LOVE baseball. White kids love baseball because they are physically better at that than perhaps football or basketball – call it like it is, white kids CAN’T jump! Black kids can..they are – as a whole – much, much better than – as a whole – white kids at basketball. Why are people afraid to say that? If you are going to ask “why aren’t there any more blacks…” then you should also ask why aren’t there any more (XYZ)…the reasons are going to be the same…..we keep beating a dead horse….nature will adjust at some point….
bass stringerfish
March 24th, 2009
7:21 pm
…And Mr. Stewart, I appluad your efforts…congratulations on your success. Baseball was very good to me as well and continues to provide enjoyment for my family (all girls!) on a daily basis. It still brings us together. As a fan of the game, I want to see the best athletes competing on the field and if you can harness some of the talent in our inner cities or from other areas that would not have the opportunity, then that would be fantastic. Best wishes for continued success.
130on2
March 24th, 2009
7:25 pm
Where is your outrage about the lack of whites in basketball??? And by the way, are the black basketball players being trained or could it be they are just talented?
Kelli Stewart
March 24th, 2009
7:41 pm
As the Executive Director of L.E.A.D., Inc., I am happy to see the dialogue that Terence’s blog has generated. We appreciate this forum and look forward to sharing ideas that L.E.A.D. to solutions.
There’s only so much space allotted in print, so let me provide a little more info on what L.E.A.D. does: We use baseball to help inner city African American youth access college by preparing them to compete for baseball scholarships. Why African American youth? Because currently there are less than 3% of African Americans playing at the college level. More important than a disappearance from the game, this statistic represents lost chances to earn a college degree which could create life changing opportunities for these youth and their families. We also promote civic responsibility and engagement amongst our players because we want them to be invested members of this great city and world. May sound like a lot of fluff, but that fluff is what made my husband, C.J. Stewart, the great husband, loving father, respected professional and passionate philanthropist he is today. Not too long ago, C.J. and his family were in the same shoes as the youth and families we serve through L.E.A.D. and if it were not for strangers (of all colors) he would not have had access to all of the opportunities that baseball has afforded him.
To get to the point, the decline of African Americans in baseball is due to:
• Lack of development. Everyone is so hasty to build fields and buy equipment with no regards to who’s going to teach the players how to effectively use the equipment. That’s equivalent to sending a child to school and providing all of the state of the art teaching tools, brand new textbooks, but no qualified teacher. The teacher is the professional resource that makes all of that classroom equipment make sense. That’s one of the things we do with L.E.A.D.; we bring proven, professional development resources to the inner city through our non-profit.
• Lack of financial resources to access development. The fact of the matter is the families we’re reaching out to wouldn’t be able to afford this kind of program any other way, just like C.J.’s family years ago. To effectively develop and expose a student athlete’s talent it costs on average 10K-12K annually. No matter what the reasons are surrounding the socioeconomic status of inner city families, I’m sure we can all agree that kids don’t get a chance to choose their parents and thus shouldn’t be penalized from being able to effectively compete for college scholarship opportunities.
• Lack of service amongst past, present and future players. Latin players are getting better because the professional players and other keepers of knowledge in their society understand the importance (and the duty) they have to the next generation of baseball players. That’s why in the off season you’ll find pro players going back to their native countries and developing (a.k.a. investing in) their future players.
So let us please stop giving so much credit to Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. They are very talented and accomplished individuals but they can in no way erase the rich legacy that African Americans have in baseball which dates back to the 1800s. Inner city kids are having success in basketball and football because there is an abundance of qualified instructors showing them how to succeed. Not the case in baseball, so that’s why the players have abandoned the sport; they don’t have the guidance to help them make that college connection. Well, they didn’t until now- until L.E.A.D.
To end, we have people black AND white who support L.E.A.D. and who come from all walks of life because they recognize this as a community issue and not just a black/white issue. If after reading this post and visiting our website at http://www.lead2legacy.org you feel compelled to get involved, please reach out to us at support@lead2legacy.org.
Joey Porter
March 24th, 2009
8:23 pm
who cares. it is a filler until football season.
Andy Cuppia
March 24th, 2009
8:44 pm
Unfortunatley, most are missing the point here concerning LEAD. The resources, not interest, for baseball drops off considerably after the 8th grade for inner city youth. LEAD, through CJ and Kelli, provide resources to these young men through instruction and exposure to college coaches and pro scouts by getting the Ambassadors into the various marquis baseball tournaments, such as Perfect Game. Travel ball is very expensive and these young men “pay” their way through community involvement and service. Civic stats have more bearing on their development than baseball stats. Though playing in the majors is the ideal end game, LEAD’s emphasis is to develop civically engaged young men, while providing exceptional baseball instruction, so that they are better prepared to attend college when offered college scholarships through the exposure provided by LEAD. 77% of the eligible players received college scholarship offers during LEAD’s rookie season because of LEAD’s total package. As a non-profit organization, LEAD can only do this with community support and private resources. CJ’s goal of giving back to his community is a noble goal. It has nothing to do with Cobb County versus Fulton County. It has nothing to do with any MLB conspiracy. It is only about developing youth using baseball as a catalyst and providing a broader base of talent to choose from at both the college and pro levels.
Eddie K
March 24th, 2009
8:47 pm
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, great responses. Your responses show your true heart for helping young people and the drive for helping them be successful by learning and developing skills much more than Mr. Moore’s article (which once again seems to raise people’s blood pressure more than hit the nail on the head). Not too many young people of any race have the ability to cough up a $100 an hour to learn the required skills needed to achieve their desired dreams in any sport. Good luck and continued success!
Navigator
March 24th, 2009
8:49 pm
You just have create controversy, but your statistics are very one sided. You make a case for baseball blacks, but ignore all black players from outside the US. You also fail to mention the long time decline of white players in basketball and football. I can’t figure out whether you’re damaged by your years living, or whether you write negative things to get attention. In any case, I’ve decided not to read your column any longer, for your failure to provide facts or truth.
Not again....
March 24th, 2009
9:28 pm
Why do you continually post on racier issues (pun intended) when you should know that more than half your readership could give two sh*ts?
Ryan
March 24th, 2009
9:31 pm
I was wondering what happened to Terence Moore b/c he hadn’t pulled the race card in a few days. Glad to see you are back to your old, tired, and bitter ways.
Mark Windsor
March 24th, 2009
9:53 pm
I just wish people just be people no matter what color they are.Its silly here it is 2010 and a professional writer is writing about color of people…I mean I like most of your writings..this is silly,,,and so,,,,,,Boring….I wish more people had purple hair…
Old Dawg
March 24th, 2009
9:58 pm
Well, TM, there you go again. Race, race, race. You and Cynthia are forever trying to find anything you can to further the race card. No wonder the AJC is in financial trouble. You two should be ashamed to continue to be the race card twins. If a black kid has the talent, he/she can play baseball in any league, any time. Just ask Hank Aaron. He was a talented kid from Mobile, AL, of all racially biased places, who made it to the big leagues in a time when it was truly tough. It just takes talent and desire. Oh, I might ask you why there are more black basketball players in college and in the NBA. Any good answers TM? Guess not. Oh well, guess I played the wrong card!!
mike lum
March 24th, 2009
10:17 pm
East Cobb white boys don’t excel at baseball because they work harder. They have parents that fork over the dough so they can play over 100 games a year, pay the personal trainers, and drive them all over the SE. I know, i live in East Cobb. A poor inner city kid doesn’t have a chance.
smitty
March 24th, 2009
10:35 pm
It almost like clockwork. There are two articles you can come to expect from Terrence Moore EVERY year. 1. Ken Griffey coming to Atlanta 2. Not enough African American players on the Braves.
I think the main issue is that urban schools don’t think of Baseball as important, whereas there is always an emphasis on Basketball and Football. You need to invest in the programs for young kids T-Ball and Little League. If you have strong feeder programs you will see success later.
Brad
March 24th, 2009
10:42 pm
Terrence, I agree completely with you that programs like LEAD and the others around the country are a great way to bring baseball exposure to black children who may not otherwise receive that opportunity – but the issue here is not Major League Baseball’s issue (I say Major League Baseball because it is the authority in the world on the sport and “Baseball’s Big Lie” can only be attributed to them, despite the fact you don’t name the league specifically; very tactful of you Terrence), the issue is that of the communities that are not providing those opportunities for the children to play baseball. All children in the United States receive an appropriate and equal amount of exposure to the game from the highest levels. Areas like East Cobb that have better programs and have received more funding have generated that funding from within – not from Major League Baseball. Any additional subsidies they may receive from outside sponsoring organizations has come because they have a proven track record of producing quality talent and any other community that begins to produce to that level will eventually receive the recognition and the outside funding they seek, but it starts within the community first. Individuals like Stewart who start programs are the ones who will help to bring back the “numbers” of black baseball players by starting programs themselves within the communities where black children may be more prevalent. If the participation within these communities dwindle when they reach an age that East Cobb players start to dominate, then those communities should only use that as motivation to work harder at it, not to expect people to come in from outside and help boost them up. If you want your child to play baseball, find others within your community who also want to play or seek a program just outside of your community and don’t be afraid that areas like East Cobb (you said it yourself, Jason Heyward commuted to Cobb from Henry county for his instruction) to get the experience you need.
So… what is the “lie” you are really speaking of? Is it the lie that Major League Baseball is not supporting the development of black children in baseball or is it the lie that the communities themselves are not providing the opportunities for their own children?
Chuck Freedman
March 24th, 2009
10:52 pm
I would like to second the comments of Andy Cuppia and endorse those of CJ and Kelli Stuart. Regardless of what one thinks of Moore’s sociological premise, his promotion of L.E.A.D. is dead on target. I am a 64 year old white guy still playing baseball. I have coached all ages for over 40 years. I have also been privileged to have a respectable career in private industry and in State Government. I was drawn by the multiple missions of L.E.A.D. to use the game I love as the vehicle for assisting and encouraging young men to define, develop and achieve their academic, professional and community goals. I have recently joined the organization and begun devoting my time to it. My observations are that the Stewarts are the real deals and that L.E.A.D. will eventually be recognized as an Atlanta treasure.
Here we go....
March 24th, 2009
11:01 pm
Anyone who buys into Terrance’s babble is racist. A true, non-racist American would also write a story on the 79% black NBA and 66% black NFL.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 24th, 2009
11:21 pm
I don’t particularly care about whether or not black kids play baseball, but if you think this article is motivated by racism, you are a bumbling fool. I’m neither white nor black. I read this article twice and nowhere did I see any hint of jealousy towards East Cobb residents or any attempt to stir up race for the sake of controversy. I just saw Terence Moore trying to highlight what he sees as an inadequate attempt made by Major League Baseball to provide opportunities for underprivileged children — who, in America, are disproportionately black — to play baseball.
And to those people wondering why Hispanics of African descent are not considered, you’re missing the point of the article. At least from what I can tell, Terence Moore doesn’t want to see more black faces in MLB uniforms as much as he wants to see black American children have access to the training and facilities needed to have a realistic shot at playing professional baseball. I’m not necessarily agreeing or disagreeing with him, just pointing out that most of the people blasting Moore are completely missing the point. I’d be willing to bet many of you saw “Terence Moore” and “African-American” and didn’t even bother reading the article before posting your idiotic responses.
charles
March 24th, 2009
11:21 pm
Is it really a problem if African American kids are more drawn to football and basketball than baseball? Because at least they’re getting involved in something.
I hate all these “well there’s no white people in the NBA/NFL so that’s racist too!” arguments. In case you haven’t noticed, there’s not nearly as many whites living in poverty. The point of this issue is to keep kids off the streets and more involved in activities
Here we go....
March 24th, 2009
11:40 pm
Re-read the article. The theme is not about providing “opportunities”, black poverty or getting kids off the streets..it’s focus is about one African-American on the Atlanta Braves and the dwindling number of African-Americans in the MLB. The “opportunities” portion is Terrance’s analysis of why there is an imbalance. What logic is there, Charles, in the argument that fewer whites in poverty has any relationship to the racial breakdown of the NBA or the NFL?
BnB
March 24th, 2009
11:42 pm
You wrote this same article, more or less, in the 80s during the Andres Thomas era albeit without the story about LEAD. Truth is, baseball is less popular with all kids now. If you want to compete you almost have to play travel ball which is–as someone else said–expensive and time consuming. Aside from the truly premiere athletes, a kid has to focus almost completely on baseball from an early age to hang and that is a roll of the dice. FWIW, one of my best friends (he is black) has a son who has always been an exceptional athlete and loves baseball (just like his dad) and has been afforded the chance to play travel ball, compete in the Cooperstown Classic, etc. Were it not for the generosity of erstwhile strangers this probably would not have come to pass. His father does what he can but is not in position to spend the money it takes to do all this stuff. He’s a good kid and his dad is a good guy and people recognize this. It’s not “Baseball’s: fault. There is no Big Lie. It just is what it is. Life isn’t fair. Some people have means. Some people have genes. Some people have both.
Dennis
March 24th, 2009
11:54 pm
The efforts of any organization to get any young person, regardless of color, involved in sports is laudable. I applaud the efforts of the Stewarts to provide an opportunity to inner city youth. I do think there is an element of truth in the explanation that inner city kids are not as interested in baseball as they are in other sports. That is a fundamental truth I believe. I don’t think there is necessarily something wrong with that, but Mr. Moore seems to take exception. While many here use the lack of white players in the NBA as a means to prop up their own perceptions, there is a kernel of truth in what several say. I think white kids are not encouraged to participate in basketball just as black kids are not encouraged to participate in baseball. I think there needs to be more programs to encourage kids of all races to participate in all sports and not be hindered by the public perception of what sport “belongs” to what race. I look forward to the day when a white kid will be the first pick in the NBA draft and the NHL is fielding more and more black and hispanic kids. I think the Stewarts do great work and Terrence Moore is counterproductive in his approach.
Ken Stallings
March 24th, 2009
11:56 pm
Seriously, Terence. When are you planning to write your article lamenting the significant drop in American-Whites playing in the NBA? When are you going to substantiate that whites from Europe and South America “don’t count?”
Your obsession on race is the single area where I disagree with you. I deplore racism in all forms. But your slant on this issue is singular. I don’t watch basketball asking myself, “Gee, where are all the white guys!”
I just wish you’d stop analyzing baseball lamenting where are all the “black” guys. I put black in quotes merely becaue there are many blacks in baseball. But most are Latin.
While I fully support expansion of baseball youth programs of all sorts, I don’t do it out of some racial motivation. I do it because I love the sport and wish all kids to have the chance to play the game.
Seems to me, Terence, such a philosophy would serve you far better.
aswingruber
March 25th, 2009
12:10 am
Someone please explain how Latin American players, who’ve had to deal with far more difficult circumstances as a whole than blacks in this country, excel in the game of the baseball. There’s been a lot of rallying around this idea that underprivelaged black youth don’t have the opportunities to excel at the sport because of their socioeconomic situation but this COMPLETELY CONTRADICTS the ability of Latin American players who come from third world countires to be hugely successful at it.
I’ve got an idea. Baseball is actually important in Latin American culture.
BAMA STAN
March 25th, 2009
12:14 am
Interesting article – and very interesting responses!!!!
I actually agree with several arguements – but let me explain:
Natural baseball players will only get so far without proper instruction and huge amounts of time and discipline – and baseball is an expensive sport – field maintenance, equipment, number of players to field a team, etc. etc.
Basketball – natural athletic ability can get you only so far – until you get proper coaching. But all you need is a ball and a rim – and you can spend hours shooting hoops – or find a friend and go at it one on one. You don’t need an entire field – just some moderate space.
What is relevent to my above statements about baseball and basketball is this – Economics drive both sports. It’s cheaper and easier for black kids to p/up basketball – you can play in 365 days a year. Baseball is a totally different investment and needs more organization and kids available to pull it off.
Hank Aaron and his generation grew up playing sandlot baseball – Well – you don’t see many sandlot ball fields anymore – Basketball has taken over.
Neither sport is being “RACIST” or “PREJUDICE”. Look how much money the Major League Baseball spends scouring the world for talent. IF there is a Black Kid or a White Kid that has talent – shows great potential – a team will snatch him up in a New York second.
As for Andrew Jones being Black – yes, he is black and Hispanic. Terrence point is about black kids in the United States. Yes, Hispanics are crazy about 2 sports – soccer and baseball. YOU will find plenty of sandlot fields that are the early training grounds and there are plenty of kids that are eager to play in weather that is condusive to year round games and practice. It’s the culture – just like basketball has become the culture to black urban kids.
I applaud the Kelly’s for making a living being intructors – and by trying to give back to the community. Kelli is accurate to the reality of the situation. However, the only issue that bothers me is they are strictly targeting “African Americans” to help. What is there is a white kid that could use the same assistance???
One last question – Why are people concerned about the number of blacks, asians, hispanics, or whites participating in a particular sport??? I root for the Hawks – could care less of the make up – could be all RUSSIANS on the team (oops – that would be the THRASHERS!!)- and I would root for them because they are my team. I root for the Braves – my hero’s growing up were Hank Aaron, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Roberto Clemente, and Willie McCovey. I could care less about their race or country of origin.
Yes – the Race situation is overplayed.
welikebaseball2
March 25th, 2009
12:27 am
Ken Stallings:
Who’s says EVERYONE has to fight EVERY CAUSE? Different things touch different people in different ways. Maybe T. Moore’s passion isn’t to right the “wrongs” in the vast percentage of African-Americans in the NBA & the NFL (on a side note: how could you touch that without considering there are “non-blacks” in plush offices making a killing off of those guys…their employees?). Just because you don’t have an issue with the African-Americans in the NFL & NBA (who, from a financial leverage standpoint, aren’t necessarily running things & calling the shots in their leagues), does that mean T. Moore can’t raise the issue of MLB’s negligence? Are you actually denying the validity of the issue he raised? Please note that he very clearly said that his problem is with the fact that there are not enough AFRICAN-AMERICANS (specific) in MLB…not “blacks” (general)? You’re right, there are lots of blacks of Hispanic orgin in MLB…AND THAT’S WHY T. MOORE ISN’T COMPLAINING ABOUT THE LACK OF “BLACK” PLAYERS BUT AFRICAN-AMERICAN PLAYERS. Are you sure you read the whole article?
intellibird
March 25th, 2009
12:28 am
I don’t mean to get off topic, but I’ve read Mr. Moore write in a positive way about Bud Selig. To me, as a baseball fan, he is public enemy number 1. There is so much wrong with baseball today. Lack of salary cap which results in unequal competition. Declining popularity among all people (youth in particular). All nightime World Series games (and playoffs). Steroids mess, etc.
Seems as if we could get a REAL Commisioner who has higher thoughts and standards, that he could do so much to lift up the game of baseball regarding these very serious problems. As things stand now, I do not believe that these issues are being considered or addressed in any way.
It seems that no one group of people is better situated to start a dialog about these issues than America’s sportswriters. If we’re going to save baseball from itself then something has got to be spoken (or written) about it. For all the kids’ sake.
In the meantime, good luck to the L.E.A.D. program.
welikebaseball2
March 25th, 2009
12:33 am
Bama Stan:
T. Moore’s is more fed up with the fact that MLB “representatives” are lying about the reason for the lack of African-American players. They say that African-American youth simply aren’t interested. I’ve seen articles in which he’s complained about the lack of African-American players in general, but this article is a lot more pointed. He specifically calls out the MLB’s “Big Lie” that African-American kids are not interested in the sport. I don’t know about you, but as a seeker of truth, I’m not perturbed as most of you all are about someone being called out for a lie.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 25th, 2009
1:17 am
Terence, the dearth of black or (African-American athletes) in ML baseball has very little to do with the sport itself, and everything to with the grass roots of our society.
As some have already very ably articulated, the problem lies deep within America itself. Parents and the athletes themselves choose to pursue other sports such as basketball and football. The sad part is, only the very elite end up playing in the NBA or NFL. There are literally thousands of young, highly skilled black athletes who end up going nowhere fast in their chase for sports glory.
It is up to the parents and coaches down at the little league level and yes, in High School to steer these kids into baseball or whatever sport the child chooses. I’m speaking from experience. So many kids look at big league teams and see what? A sport dominated by predominantly white, Hispanic and now Asian players. They look at the NBA and see Lebron, Koby etc. The influence is obvious.
Until the black community itself addresses the imbalance, ML baseball will be less of a sport due to the lack of truly great athletes from all colors of the rainbow.
Here is a little tidbit of history that is enough to make you just want to cringe.
Bo Jackson was originally drafted in 1982 right out of High school by the New York Yankees in the second round. His mother persuaded Jackson to attend Auburn University on a football scholarship. I can’t argue for or against her choice. But looking back, how different history would be today if Bo Jackson had been afforded the ability to make his own path in professional sports…. right from the beginning.
Bo hit .401 with 17 HR’s and 43 RBI in 1985 for Auburn. This would be his only collegiate experience in baseball before playing in the big leagues and the NFL.
Casual Observer
March 25th, 2009
1:33 am
Enough of the TM bashing already. He brings up a few good points. As a Dad of a ‘BLACK’ 12 yr old Travel BB player I see firsthand of what he speaks. My son also played football for the GFL where only 5 of his teammates were black. The GFL itself is made up of approx 60% white kids. White kids have the same opportunities in FB and Basketball as any other sport. Baseball however is another animal altogether. The skill-set is irrevalent. The economic picture paints more to the success/failure rate than anything else. Take a trip to your local park and find the answers for yourself. Not sying its right or wrong but it is definitely something to be looked at.
scottbravesfan
March 25th, 2009
2:40 am
Terrance,
I think you need to list that white American players numbers have decreased as well due to the influx of latin players. Plus add in Asians and Australians and it’s getting a more diverse group of players every year.
Black kids still play little league in the south, that notion is something made up in the North. There are rec centers all over the south in inner cities that have little league teams, really good ones at that playing every spring and summer. Unfortunately once they get older and into high school a lot of them choose to play football, for obvious reasons, fame girls and a higher chance to get a college scholarship and since football has spring practices now they usually end up dropping baseball. You mentioned Michael Vick, Vick played baseball all his life till high school. He did not play past the 8th grade and yet was drafted by the Colorado Rockies after he graduated high school. True story.
Drexel Gal
March 25th, 2009
3:01 am
Mr. Moore’s article, while trying to debunk the myth of the decline of interest in baseball in the “Communities Of Color”, actually supports it. Perhaps he’ll reconsider his faulty logic while he is in the line at the Piccadilly Caferteria on US-41 this weekend. (And that Bluetooth headset in your ear does NOT make you look “important”.)
hop
March 25th, 2009
5:25 am
the one sided theme of terence continues to support the double-standard we have in this nation.
if a white sports writer were to bemoan the fact that whites are only a minority in basketball and football, he would be considered a racist,but if a black writer writes about not enough blacks in baseball,it’s okay.
there are many blacks who do indeed play baseball, only they are classified as spanish.
this type of shallow reporting is constant with everything he writes and always has racist favor.
it is amazing why ajc is losing readers because of this type of reporting.
fansince66
March 25th, 2009
6:08 am
To think that whites have the same opportunities in basketball is delusional. As a middle school coach for 29 years, I can tell you that the deck is stacked against whites trying out for the team. There is taunting, not sharing the ball, and plain bullying going on, and the coaches (who are black) seem oblivious to all this. My High School who is 65% white has not had a white player of any significance in over 20 years and the girl’s team has not had one at all. I also bet if you would check, the black children that excel in baseball almost always had a male parent in their life who nutured their experience.
One To Question
March 25th, 2009
6:26 am
Mr. Moore,
Do you believe there should be more programs to increase the number of white players in the NBA? Should we look to improve the “skills” of white DB’s and RB’s to increase their numbers in college and the NFL? Or is the NBA and NFL a BIG lie?
Mr. Skynyrd
March 25th, 2009
6:43 am
Yawn.
ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz…………………
Shut up Terrence
March 25th, 2009
6:54 am
Terrence, you never said what the Big Lie is. Is it whitey’s fault that blacks don’t play? You need to come out and say whatever it is you’re trying to say. You start the second paragraph with “This is disgusting.” What’s disgusting? I’m not sure what your point is and who your beef is with – blacks for not playing baseball, or the tired old “whitey is holding darkie down” case.
Either way, you’re a ******* idiot.
Greg
March 25th, 2009
7:23 am
Mr. Moore: Since African Americans are less than 13 percent of the American population, why is it such a tragedy that African Americans make up 8 percent of baseball? African American players dominate basketball and are the majority of NFL players. I certainly respect and honor great African American players of the past and present, but baseball is becoming a Latin game, just like America is becoming a Latin country. Also, while your commentary whines about the special training that upper class and upper middle class white kids receive, it doesn’t mention the disadvantage of working class whites who can’t afford such programs either. I wish I could send my kid to baseball camp, but I’d rather pay the mortgage.
Mr. Skynyrd
March 25th, 2009
8:05 am
Waaaaaaaaah! I’m a victim.
Help me! Help me!
Somebody please help us, we can’t help ourselves!
Obama…..Tom Cruise….Oprah…….Sweet Baby Jesus………HELP!
richbrave
March 25th, 2009
8:06 am
Way off base here TMo. Your takes on Racism in America are divisive whether relevant or not. This country’s going in another direction not in yours. Enjoy your life, but get ready for a different America where the color of your skin finally is overmatched by the personality that you are.
Allen
March 25th, 2009
8:09 am
I applaud CJ and Kelli Stewart not for what they are doing with baseball, but because they are married and CJ is being a live at home father to his children. If you want to talk about what is happening with the african american culture in this country, write an article about the complete and absolute demise of the family unit they continue to perpetuate. Kids need families and role models and young black men need older black men, just as kids of all races need, i.e; fathers in the home to teach them what is right and wrong, and how to be a productive contributing member of our society.
Andy Cuppia
March 25th, 2009
8:18 am
To aswinruber: Great question! I would offer that the vast majority of Latin American players give back to their communities in big ways in the off season. Baseball was their meal ticket out of poverty and they give back to their communities with fields, equipment and arguably the most important, excellent instruction on the game. This is why the civic engagement is so important to the Stewarts. CJ and Kelli are instilling a sense of community to these young men and encouraging them to give back after they make it through college or get into MLB. Give time, money or both. Become positive role models through your actions back to your community. In the simplest of terms, this is what CJ and Kelli are doing. There was a CJ in CJ’s younger life that mentored him and unselfishly provided the time and resources for CJ to succeed. He has never forgotten that and is now doing the same. This is a microcasm of both the problem and the solution.
Eric
March 25th, 2009
8:31 am
Enter your comments here
Eric
March 25th, 2009
8:40 am
Well, we agree to disagree one more time. You know I am sick of black this and black that. The hell with it. In his famous I have a dream speech, Dr. King pressed the issue of a day when skin color did not matter. YOU can trumpet the RACE CARD till the cows come home Terrance but the fact is there are many players of color, and as was pointed out above by other posters, many “BLACKS” list their ethnicity as “HISPANIC”. Why , I don’t know you tell me. But this I do know, blacks, hispanics, whites, et al are fed up with the trash you put out every year about “BLACKS” and baseball. Write about baseball. If you want to write about politics then get your column moved to the political section of the paper. And in closing, FYI the other person who commented on the “THUG” and “TATTOO” issue, he was dead on. Professional sports owners are feeling the crunch like everyone else and they are making huge investments. They are not spreading the money around just because of color. They are looking for good kids, with solid character, not Mike Vick’s and Pac Man Jones’s et al. But all you can see is skin color. Take a day off and go back and relisten to Dr. King’s I have a Dream speech. No I am not liberal, and I am not a democrat. But I can tell you this if Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Jeremiah Wright and yourself would spend more time focusing on the Character issue rather than the race issue, you would see the world and its choices much clearer.
VICK SUPPORTER !
March 25th, 2009
8:43 am
VICK IS THE MAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
fansince66
March 25th, 2009
8:53 am
This blog is rigged. I posted a comment @ 6:30 am and saw that it was posted. The comment stated the bias against white basketball players beginning in Middle School and how my 65% white high school has had no white players in the past 20 years. The powers that be chose to delete my post, I assume because it was the truth and the truth has no room on Mr. Moore’s blog.
Getaway
March 25th, 2009
8:56 am
Quick notes:
Don’t get into baseball if you’re trying to get a free ride through college. Programs only get 11.5 scholarships to build a team. Very few get full rides. Div III schools get no athletic scholarships.
My son is a very good baseball player, largely due to the coaching he has received. Volunteer coaches are great for giving their time, but few have the skills to help individuals optimize their talents.
Coaches like Mr.Kelly here are godsends for talented youths wanting to get better. I’m fortunate that my son’s coach only charges about $25 for half an hour a week, but I still had to give up cable TV. I’ve spent hundreds of hours studing the game, reading books, videos, training programs, none were as effective as just one 1/2 hour session with a pro.
I love baseball, and I am very proud that this sport has people like Mr. Kelly that are willing to devote their time and gifts to help kids that want to get better.
Even though my son, doesn’t play at East Cobb, I’m grateful for that program as well, because it is directly responsible for scouts finally paying attention to baseball in Georgia. That wasn’t always the case.
fansince66
March 25th, 2009
8:57 am
I apoligize as I went back and checked again and saw it was posted at 6:08 am and is still there. However, I stand by my statement about the truth on this blog.
Doug Carrow
March 25th, 2009
8:57 am
Mr. Moore, when was the last time I read a white reporter lamenting the 85-95 percent black athletes in football and basketball. You really should do a better job of shielding your racism. Of course it is white ownership who is at fault here. I get so sick of your self righteous indignation I could just puke! If pay phones still cost a quarter I would give you one!
Andy Cuppia
March 25th, 2009
8:58 am
To fansince66: Your comment is still posted in my string of comments. Not sure why you are not seeing it, but it is still there.
Getaway
March 25th, 2009
9:01 am
Where I said Kelly above, I meant Stewart. Apologies.
No More Moore
March 25th, 2009
9:05 am
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!
Jim
March 25th, 2009
9:06 am
The point of the article–that there are too few blacks in major league baseball–raises three questions; 1. What is the correct number of blacks; 2. by what standards is that number to be determined; and 3. if there can be too few, can there also be too many? I would like to hear Mr. Moore’s answers to these.
Hollywould
March 25th, 2009
9:07 am
Good article T. I say there are 3 reasons at least that perpetuate this problem. One is money. As the father of a 10 year old baseball player we pay 150 to play, 100 for uniforms, 50 for this and 50 for that and this is not travel just rec league. I understand that many black kids
do not have the money to throw around but that is of reason #2. WHERE ARE THE DAMN FATHERS? They just keep spitting them out with no regard for the kids, moms, or society as a whole. #3 baseball can be boring
for this hip-hop generation as they are used to basketball and football
If you are going to play baseball you have to work at it. It is a little bit harder to hit a baseball than shoot a basketball.There are many downtimes on a baseball field. I appreciate what the Stewart’s are doing and good luck but I seriously doubt there are “tons” of baseball players in South Atlanta. There are tons of wannabe basketball superstars. My brother coaches high school baseball in 4a here in georgia and he always says it is laughable when they go play a predominately black team. There might be one kid who can play. Baseball is tough and I don’t believe most of these kids want to take the time.It is what it is.
Poorjeff
March 25th, 2009
9:18 am
Good call Coach (Skip & Pete will be missed). You’re right on!
AJCrap
March 25th, 2009
9:20 am
Jackie Robinson Fan, Moore does live in Cobb County!
JB
March 25th, 2009
9:21 am
No offense but did Terrance get his palm greased for the article. It seems by the Stewarts comments they are using this for a personal ad for their business. There is nothing wrong with that at all, it’s their job, just be honest that your main objective is $$$$$$$$$$.
Note to everyone I wish everyone would quit asking why Terrance he doesn’t give equal treatment to other races. Wake up! he’s black!
AMIR ALEX
March 25th, 2009
9:22 am
Congratulations CJ and Kelli and Thank You Terrance!
I can not say that I always agree with you Terrance but you really do one thing well – get people to talking. Albeit you get ALL kinds of people talking (idiots included) at least they are talking.
Members of communities all across Atlanta that have volunteered with LEAD appreciate the dialogue and welcome more of you to join LEAD or visit the site to do the same and find out more.
I have 3 kids in baseball one of which was a LEAD Ambassador and received a scholarship offer for college. I know the expense of the game (time, travel, training). I also know it is about more than desire and raw talent because I have seen great players in rec ball that no longer played after 6th or 7th grade because they couldn’t afford the travel team or the middle and high school didn’t support the program (if they even had one). I have also seen some of these same kids in trouble a little later in life.
I cant blame this on the MLB or white people for that matter. WE HAVE TO TAKE OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR KIDS BACK! We can talk about East Cobb (and it is an awesome facility) or we can duplicate it and have the same in our community. It starts with the community and our local leaders and getting INVOLVED!
Through consensus, communication and commitment we can raise the numbers of minorities in higher education – cause at the end of the day that is what it is about – creating more productive citizens for the world.
From reading this and other blogs I think we have two of the three already. We agree there is a decline (regardless of reason) in the numbers and we agree the interest is there. CJ, Kelli, Terrance and countless others have started the communication and created an avenue (LEAD) to support and direct our youth.
Now take a moment to visit LEAD and make a committment to join the program!
paintman
March 25th, 2009
9:25 am
Hey CM,it appears you don’t/can’t do alot of thinking on your OWN,so let me help. In a couple of weeks the Masters will arrive in Ga. How bout a column on how impossible it is for a black kid or the whole race for that matter does not have a chance to make it in the world of GOLF. That one surely has never been done before, besides, I would love to see the rascist slant you could put on that subject. By the way,who’s gonna GIVE you a job when the AJC goes belly-up ???
Tim
March 25th, 2009
9:32 am
Terrence — good article and I mostly enjoy your columns. However, if there is a “Big Lie” (and I’m uncertain if there is one) then perhaps you should expore discussing the “Big Truth”?
James Kaplin
March 25th, 2009
9:53 am
Will your next article tackle the issue of why the’re not that many European Americans in the NBA, excluding the ones born native to Europe. What is the big lie for the NBA? Why is it that white kids in America can not make it to the NBA. How do you fault parents who have the means to pay out these huge sums of money to help their child become better in what they love to do best. My parents shoveled tons of money out the door to give my sister ballet lesson for years and it made her a very well rounded adult who now is a wonderful teacher of this discipline in our community. She is not a professional ballerina but she loves the art of dance. Why is Major League Baseball at fault in the reason why people do not choose to play their game. It seems that you need to have a passion to want to play is the reason why you make it to the big leagues. Every high school has baseball as much as football and basketball. We all grew up playing little league but it takes volunteers to be able to teach the game. This is pure example of class baiting because somebody has the means and other don’t and it is not fair. Well get over it because life in not fair and if you can’t afford the trainers then you need to probably need to think of another angle. Go to the trainers and ask them to take them pro bono because if they train somebody who has less means and they become a big leaguer then they can use that person for their resume’ and then they can get more clients and find more talent that only have one thing against them that they are poor. These things need to be figured out at the community level and that is why we need volunteers and little leagues to find the talent but the most important thing is that it teach life’s lessons. The truth of the matter is that one should not use sports to elevate oneself out of poverty but education. If you have an educated parent who has the means for their child then it doesn’t matter what color you are because you will be able to give your child the training that the so want in their endeavor.
Erskine Martin
March 25th, 2009
10:07 am
I don’t normally respond to blogs, but this one just ripped me. How come you never report about the disportionate number of blacks that are on NBA and NFL teams? I guess if anyone complained about that they would be labeled as bigoted. I am a Falcon and Brave fan. I don’t care who plays as long as they give 100%. Terence, when are you going to quit playing the “victim”?
todd
March 25th, 2009
10:12 am
i read the first paragraph and stopped reading. i’m through reading this crap from terrence moore. i’ve had it. i won’t read anymore of his crap. ajc get rid of this guy!
Don't Lose Focus
March 25th, 2009
10:15 am
After checking out LEAD a little deeper, looks like they’re more concerned with helping African American inner city kids use baseball to get money to help pay for college than helping them make it to the Majors. This Stewart guy came from the same place that these kids do and knows the obstacles they’re facing so he’s doing something about it. Seems like to me this helps everybody, the more people we have in this country that have a college education benefits our country’s competitiveness; last time I checked we all still lived here together.
Instead of bashing Moore why not everyone stroke a check or hit the donate button or sign up to volunteer with Stewart like I did.
All talk and no action…
gspoindexter
March 25th, 2009
10:20 am
Terrance, this isn’t 1960, stop screaming racism every other column you write. I can’t believe the AJC employs you, they must be scared to fire you. Knowing you’ll sue them for racism or something along those lines. Get a life and stop reporting Black White “issues”, if people stop feeding racism, it’s more likely to go away.
Blair
March 25th, 2009
10:28 am
The ironic thing is that Moore COST the Braves a black player in Ken Griffey Jr. with his “Junior to become a Brave” junk sourcing and reporting.
LOL! Well done again Terence!
bakerman
March 25th, 2009
10:28 am
What we really need to focus on is the lack of Eskimos in all sports. Get on with life folks.
Jerry
March 25th, 2009
10:38 am
I applaud any person that wants to help out any community.
What the heck is an African-American? You’re either an african or an american.
I don’t hear of any Panamanian-americans, Chinese-americans, European-americans, Mexican-americans or Australian-americans.
Hosea Williams said it best when he said that young black men must take responsibility for their own actions and pull themselves up by their own boot straps.
How many black and white baseball players are giving back to their community? How many black and white basketball players are giving back to their community? How many black and white football players are giving back to their community?
I’m sick and tired of African this and African that. You’re americans.
Love it or leave it.
I do applaud L.E.A.D though. They are trying to make a difference.
When doors are slammed in your face what do you do? Do you go to the next door or do you quit? For alot of Americans; black, white, yellow, red or green it is easier to quit and blame someone else for your own shortcomings.
Come on L.E.A.D. Keep going to those doors. One day it will make a difference. A difference for all Americans.
BILLY JACK
March 25th, 2009
10:51 am
Brad great post- you never hear T Moore talk about the NBA being non white-what a racist jackass.
East Cobber
March 25th, 2009
10:53 am
When did we start letting HIS KIND in here?
No wonder the property values are plummeting!
Slugger
March 25th, 2009
10:55 am
All -
CJ was also my hitting instructor and a very good one…
Everyone should thank CJ for helping to pass the great sport of baseball to people who might not have the disposable income to compete otherwise.
As good as the metro-ATL is with baseball, there’s still so much talent to be found.
Thanks, CJ.
-Ryan
Griffey Fan
March 25th, 2009
10:58 am
Yes, it was indeed Terence Moore’s overinflated ego and “journalistic” incompetence that cost the City of Atlanta a first-rate ballplayer and even better human being in Ken Griffey, JR.
Thanks Bunches, Terry.
Ryan D
March 25th, 2009
11:06 am
Why isn’t anyone talking about the falling numbers of white players in the NBA and NFL? The NBA is over 80% black and the NFL is about 67% black and both show trends heading that way. These numbers are way disproportionate to the general population. Why isn’t Moore addressing this issue as well?
The UNDISPUTED Truth
March 25th, 2009
11:13 am
I realize that the race-baiting hack who wrote this column works in the sports department; therefore, he comments on sports-related issues.
Having said that, this must be pointed out: in the overall scheme of things, the number of black baseball players is among the least significant problems facing blacks in particular, and America in general.
I mean, if every MLB player was black, that would account for about 750 men. What about the millions of others? Is our Halfrican American president going to propose a gazillion dollar stimulus package that promises every minority male a job as a professional athlete?
No, before getting all worked up about how many “bruthas” are playing for the Braves, the race-baiting hack who wrote this column (and those of his ilk) ought to do something about the out-of-wedlock births, crime, STDs, deadbeat “fathers”, rampant crime, and high school dropout rates that plague the black community in disproportionately large numbers.
Along those same lines, I get a kick out of the people who bemoan the “unfair advantages” that some white kids supposedly have – as if coming from a family that has the financial means to afford “private lessons” guarantees success on the baseball field.
According to the race-baiting hack who wrote this column, blacks kids have to “earn” their way, but everything is “given” to white kids. Such an opinion is an outrage and an insult to the youngsters who bust their butts to maximize their potential.
Of course, maybe more black kids could afford “private lessons” if so many black “men” didn’t disappear as soon as they found out they were about to become a “baby daddy” (again).
When is the race-baiting hack who wrote this column going to address THAT issue?
In the meantime, I look forward to the continuing demise of the liberal rag that employs the race-baiting hack who wrote this column.
Thank you all, and may God bless America!
cityofdecatur
March 25th, 2009
11:14 am
congratulations and best wishes to L.E.A.D. it’s founders and those that receive it’s help. BUT T.M. the big lie come on now. Economics culture and peers have more to do with Blacks in America not playing baseball than mlb keeping em down. There are times you can be insightful and informing. Half your article is the other premise ‘the Big Lie’ is a myopic passion of yours that frankly is just PLAIN WRONG. Keep up the good work Stewarts and Terence well just keep believing your big lie.
datominator
March 25th, 2009
11:14 am
I am of Asian ancestry (spare me the Asian-American crap), and after reading this I just awoke to the fact that Asians are under-represented in baseball! Don’t more Asian kids want to play MLB? Of COURSE they do! Its not because they’re not interested – that’s just a big lie. Give me a break. I just remembered why I dropped my AJC paper subscription down to Sundays only – for the coupons.
Bo
March 25th, 2009
11:15 am
Terence:
The term LIE means that someone is saying something they KNOW to be untrue. Who is that someone? Your refer to Baseball as though it has a name and address. Specifics, please. Is it your buddy Bud Selig? If not, then who?
Also, your accusations and disgust insinuate a collective effort by MLB owners and managers to deny A/A children the right and opportunity to play baseball. They care about only one thing – money. Why would they collude in the manner you suggest.
The lack of minorities in MLB may in fact be a legitimate issue that’s of interest to some. Unfortunately, you lack the journalistic skill to drive that dialog. You engage in flamethrowing rhetoric that accomplishes nothing, aside from proving many posters’ points about the lack of qualifications your employment suggests.
Matt
March 25th, 2009
11:38 am
here are two problems for me:
1) how are they going to make baseball less expensive for black youths?
2) Why aren’t you counting Latinos who are black (not necessarily African-American) in your numbers?
Wasn’t the WBC to showcase how diverse baseball has become?
College Bound
March 25th, 2009
11:44 am
CJ cares a lot about baseball and knows a lot about it too. I’m one of the guys whose parents had to pay in order to learn from CJ, but when my mom lost her job it became real hard to justify the lessons. But he didn’t turn me away, we came up with other creative ways that I could earn my instruction like volunteering with his inner city team and cleaning up at his facility. He cares about his students and not just about making money. Those lessons helped me get a baseball scholarship to college. Now that only my dad is working, that scholarship means the world to my family.
Thanks, CJ.
Oh yeah, by the way, I’m white.
Old timer
March 25th, 2009
12:00 pm
All of your racial %’s are trivial. The real problem is there are NO athletes over 60 in baseball,
basketball, or football.
$$$???
March 25th, 2009
12:03 pm
Am I the only one who finds these glowing posts about LEAD somewhat fishy? Also, $100 per hour?!?!? How many poor families can afford that? Sounds like a scam to me.
Chuck Freedman
March 25th, 2009
12:10 pm
To $$$???:
I admire your skepticism. I encourage you to personally attend any and all LEAD events, become engaged and draw your own conclusions.
Also, to Old timer:
Try Atlanta Mens Senior Baseball League. Season starts Sunday weather permitting. Plenty of openings in the 55+ division. If you can pitch, contact me directly.