Undertow
05-03-2010, 11:38 AM
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?id=5148772
Once again, there's more hand-wringing over the so-called Disappearing Black Baseball Player. Earlier this month USA Today reported that the number of African-Americans on 2010 opening day major league rosters fell to 9.5 percent (71 players), down from 10.2 percent in 2009, which had produced baseball's first increase in 15 years. In 1975, that figure was 27 percent.
Through MLB's Diverse Business Partners initiative, Robinson would also know baseball is making gains in working with minority- and female-owned businesses. In 2004, MLB reportedly spent $64.8 million with such firms, and that amount was likely much larger last season when MLB reported record revenues of $6.6 billion. There are undoubtedly other businesses in every major league city that could also share in those spoils.
Once again, there's more hand-wringing over the so-called Disappearing Black Baseball Player. Earlier this month USA Today reported that the number of African-Americans on 2010 opening day major league rosters fell to 9.5 percent (71 players), down from 10.2 percent in 2009, which had produced baseball's first increase in 15 years. In 1975, that figure was 27 percent.
Through MLB's Diverse Business Partners initiative, Robinson would also know baseball is making gains in working with minority- and female-owned businesses. In 2004, MLB reportedly spent $64.8 million with such firms, and that amount was likely much larger last season when MLB reported record revenues of $6.6 billion. There are undoubtedly other businesses in every major league city that could also share in those spoils.