Growing up a Yankee fan in my early years, I knew nothing about winning. Bobby Murcer, Thurman Munson, Roy White were my heroes, even though our season ended in September. The Oakland Athletics took over the post season with dominance during the early seventies. But it was okay; we had Horace Clarke, Jerry Kenney, and Mel Stottlemyer to root for, along with manager Ralph Houk. Every moment was exciting as we listened to Phil Rizzuto, Frank Messer and Bill White on Channel 11. It wasn’t about winning or losing, it was about rooting for our heroes.
With the death of George Steinbrenner, we will undoubtedly hear endless stories about the imperious nature of the man who called himself The Boss. He was in the words of one writer, "every worker's nightmare, the satanic CEO, a fanatically controlling overlord who borrows his warmed-over rhetoric from Vince Lombardi and his managerial style from Stalin." One of Steinbrenner's favorite lines was, "I don't get heart attacks. I give them."
Major League Baseball is preparing to host its All-Star game Tuesday, and roughly one-third of the players who will be in Anaheim are African American and Latino. Hispanic and African American players typically make up a third of all those playing major-league ball, with hundreds more in the minors. Given the diversity of today's game, it is especially frustrating that baseball Commissioner Bud Selig remains silent about the nightmare next year's All-Star game could pose for millions of Americans.
Major League Baseball is scheduled to play its 2011 All-Star Game in Phoenix, where discrimination and racial profiling will effectively be sanctioned by SB1070, Arizona's controversial new immigration law. Unless the league acts, next year our favorite all-stars could enter a hostile environment, and the families, friends and fans of a third of the players could be treated as second-class citizens because of their skin color or the way they speak.
This law isn't about solving the immigration issue; it's about scapegoating, an established practice in Arizona. For years, law enforcement agencies have criticized the Maricopa County sheriff's office for not serving felony arrest warrants in favor of conducting "saturation" sweeps in which hundreds of Latinos have been indiscriminately arrested in order to find undocumented immigrants. Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon has stated that "citizens are being stopped because they are brown," and in a letter to the Justice Department he asked for a federal investigation into Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio based on his "pattern and practice of conduct that includes discriminatory harassment, improper stops, searches, and arrests." And this was before SB1070 became law.
What is happening in Arizona is a regression from the freedoms we hold dear and a violation of our civil rights and fundamental values. We are not asking Selig to weigh in on immigration policy; we are asking him to take a stand against bigotry and intolerance. Despite being petitioned by numerous members of Congress and civil rights, labor and social justice groups, Selig has not adequately addressed the issue.
Thanks to the clause in the league constitution that directs the commissioner to act in the "best interests of Major League Baseball," Selig has enormous latitude in taking steps to preserve the integrity of the game. He should recall key moments from our shared history: It was in the best interests of baseball that led MLB in 1947 to defy widespread bigotry and the institutionalized racism of Jim Crow laws and sign Jackie Robinson, finally integrating the game.
Surely the "best interests of baseball" include protecting players and millions of fans of color, not allowing MLB to be perceived as condoning blatant discrimination and injustice, and taking a stand for fairness, equality and other values that Americans and baseball hold dear. Selig should stand up for these players, these fans and these values.
COME OUT TO CITI FIELD JULY 30th, 2010 6:00PM
Such a move would not be unprecedented. The NCAA does not allow post-season events, such as the Final Four, to occur in states that fly the Confederate flag. Years ago the NFL stood up to Arizona over its refusal to recognize the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday and moved the 1993 Super Bowl. Those sports institutions defended their players and fans, even though there was no direct threat to their safety. The Arizona law, however, is a direct threat, and Selig ought to take action.
If MLB wants to maintain the right to call baseball America's favorite pastime, and preserve the legacy of Jackie Robinson, the All-Star game should not go to Phoenix next year. Commissioner, for the sake of baseball players and millions of fans, move the game.
Wade Henderson is president and chief executive of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Janet Murguia is president and chief executive of the National Council of La Raza, the largest U.S. Latino civil rights and advocacy organization.
Angel Pagan's locker with the Retire #21 sticker. (Photo LSV)
Nueva York, NY: Angel Pagan might have been a "nonentity" a year ago with the Mets, but the Fast & Furious centerfielder has been growing not just on the field and at the plate with a .302 BA but with himself. In Spanish we have a saying: No hay mal que por bien no venga (There is nothing negative that happens that something positive can not come from it) and with Carlos Beltran out most of this season, enter Angel Pagan, a Boricua who is on the money & also wants Roberto Clemente's #21 retired. Go Angel!
Read the following article for additional understanding on Angel Pagan.
Ubaldo Jimenez has a 9-1 record and a0.88 ERA. (Getty Images)
Sí estuviesemos en el otoño sín duda alguna el ganador del Premio Cy Young de la Liga Nacional lo seria unanimemente Ubaldo Jimenez.
No estamos tan siquiera en el verano y al mes de Mayo ese gran honor va con pasos de propiedad del dominicano perteneciente a los Rockies de Colorado.
Su marca, al escribir estas lineas, de 9-1 con 0.88 de efectividad no hay adjetivo concreto ni completamente correcto que pueda describir su magnificencia y grandeza en el monticulo en lo que va de esta temporada.
Siempre recuerdo que atras en la época primaveral varios periodistas de Quisqueya me lo dijeron que esta campaña Ubaldo iba ser lo mejor visto de su país desde Pedro Martínez a principios de esta década.
En verdad no se equivocaron.
Su esplendor desde la lomita de los suspiros lo debe hacer al momento el que sea escogido por el Dirigente Charlie Manuel de los Phillies de Philadelphia a abrir en el Juego de las Estrellas este año por la Liga Nacional.
Este año el partido de las luminarias se celebrará el 13 de Julio en Anaheim.
Para Ubaldo seria algo historico para su propio resumé y uno para América Latina.
El jovenzuelo de los Rockies se convertiria en el séptimo latinoamericano en abrir un Juego de Estrellas. El ultimo latino en abrir en un Clásico de Verano por la Liga Nacional lo fue en 1983 el dominicano Mario Soto.
El ultimo latino en abrir en un Juego de Estrellas lo fue por la Liga Americana en el 2003 el méxicano Esteban Loaiza.
De su terruño de Duarte otros quetuvieron ese gran honor lo fueron Pedro Martínez y el gran Juan Marichal.
Junto a Ubaldo Jimenez indudablemente deben estar otro sín número de latinos en ese gran partido en la casa de los Angelinos.
Recientemente en el primer conteo de votos están adelante varios latinos en sus respectivas posiciones.
En la Liga Americana, al momento de escribir estas lineas, ganando el favoritismo de los fanaticos lo son el intermedista Robinson Cano, el bateador designado Vladimir Guerrero y el guardabosque Nelson Cruz.
En el circuito nacional, a estas fechas, adelante en las votaciones en sus posiciones lo son el receptor Yadier Molina, el inicialista Albert Pujols y el antesalista Placido Polanco.
Las votaciones para elegir los regulares al partido de las estrellas cierran el primer día de Julio. Así que hay tiempo paraseguir votando a favor por nuestros latinos.
Como muchos de los asiduos y seguidores del béisbol con pronto el Juego de las Estrellas andan siguiendo a nuestros latinos bien de cerca aquí va mi segundo listado de ‘rankings’ de esta temporada 2010 de hasta la fecha nuestros 15 mejores latinoamericanos.
JUGADORES 1. Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers de Texas 2. Miguel Cabrera, Tigres de Detroit 3. Adrian Beltre, Medias Rojas de Boston 4. Robinson Cano, Yankees de Nueva York 5. Alfonso Soriano, Cachorros de Chicago 6. Magglio Ordoñez, Tigres de Detroit 7. Alexis Rios, Medias Blancas de Chicago 8. Albert Pujols, Cardenales de San Luis 9. Nelson Cruz, Rangers de Texas 10. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins de Florida 11. Placido Polanco, Phillies de Philadelphia 12. José Bautista, Azulejos de Toronto 13. Kendry Morales, Angelinos de Los Angeles 14. Jorge Cantu, Marlins de Florida 15. Adrian Gonzalez, Padres de San Diego
LANZADORES 1. Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies de Colorado 2. Livan Hernández, Nacionales de Washington 3. Carlos Silva, Cachorros de Chicago 4. Jaime Garcia, Cardenales de San Luis 5. Rafael Soriano, Rays de Tampa Bay 6. Johnny Cueto, Rojos de Cincinnati 7. Fausto Carmona, Indios de Cleveland 8. Yovani Gallardo, Cerveceros de Milwaukee 9. Francisco Liriano, Gemelos de Minnesota 10. Luis Atilano, Nacionales de Washington 11. Johan Santana, Mets de Nueva York 12. Anibal Sanchez, Marlins de Florida 13 .Ervin Santana, Angelinos de Los Angeles 14. Carlos Marmol, Cachorros de Chicago 15. Mariano Rivera, Yankees de Nueva York
The issue of the Arizona SB 1070 law that is anti-immigrant and will definitely lead to racial profiling is not going away anytime soon, especially for baseball. The fact is that the office of the Commissioner, Allan “Bud” Selig has a moral obligation to come forward and say something on this ridiculous and unjust law.
The following is another interesting and informative article on this very important issue.
We predict that this Los Suns Jersey will become a hot commodity (Photo PhxSuns.com)
MVP Award to Los Suns For Taking Action on Controversial AZ Law
In a time when most professional athletes are afraid to take on independent decisions and statements on issues outside of their game, it was refreshing to see what occurred yesterday at Phoenix when the Suns became the first major league sports franchise to collectively take a position against the Arizona anti-immigrant law that has become the #1 issue on both the immigration agenda and on the desk of baseball commissioner, Allan "Bud" Selig's desk.
The Suns decided to honor the 5 de Mayo national holiday by wearing a special jersey with the Spanish name: "Los Suns." The decision to wear the jersey stems from the law passed by the Arizona legislature and signed by Gov. Jam Brewer that has outraged Latino organizations and civil-rights organizations that say it could lead to racial profiling of Latinos.
Baseball Commissioner, Allan "Bud" Selig is getting it from all sides, they want him to take a position on this flawed state law and to move the 2011 All-Star game scheduled to be played in Arizona to an alternative city. The fact that MLB has the largest proportion of Latino players than any other league sports in the country is the reason why people are waiting for "Bud" to do the right thing for the approximate 30% of his players. Unfortunately, MLB has been silent on this controversy that is not going away and will continue to intensify.
It should not take commissioner Selig too much analysis to make the move. In fact, it should be a bit easier now that the Major League Baseball Players Association took a position just a few days ago against the Arizona law. We understand that the All-Star game is the Crown Jewel for MLB, but he is not being asked to cancel it, but merely to threaten to move it to another city. Just imagine what would happen if Arizona legislators would actually buckle and consider changing the law. MLB has a lot of pull than just the All-Star game, they also have 15 teams conducting their Spring Training in the state every year. The faster Bud Selig makes the decision to do the right thing the easier it will be for his staff to organize an alternative city to host the 2011 All-Star game. Hey, here's an idea, bring it to NYC, to Citi-Field, to the city that broke the color barrier in 1947 and allowed the first player of color, Jackie Robinson to play. The Mets have dedicated their entire main entrance to Jackie Robinson with a giant #42, a number that should make it easy for you to make the decision and do the right thing.
The Arizona Diamondbacks will be coming to NYC to play the Mets at Citi-Field on July 30-August 1, 2011. Perhaps we should start spreading the buzz to get people out on one of those days to urge commissioner Selig to do the right thing and consider our suggestions.
The heat continues to be put on the Commissioner of Baseball. Just when baseball commissioner, Mr. Allan "Bud" Selig thought it was going to be a quiet season free of all the previous scandals of "buscones" in the Dominican Republic forging birth certificates for potential players, or the issue of steroids another issue has arisen that is making the heat in the dessert seem quite cool. That issue is whether Mayor League Baseball should move their "crown jewel" event, the 2011 All-Star game from Arizona Diamondbacks stadium to another less heated state?
It seems that many folks have a problem with having such an important venue in the state that has just passed the most draconian immigration piece of legislation anyone can imagine. A law that will impact direcly on the growing Latino community. With MLB having approximately 30% Latino players and many Latino reporters coming from Latin American countries to cover the All-Star game the commissioner can not remain silent for too long on this issue.
The following article written by our friend, Wiliam Rhoden which appeared in the New York Times is another point of view that we would like to share with our readers.
OK, we need all of you readers who are down with this cause of letting the Grand State of Arizona know that we are not down with this anti-immigrant, racist & ridiculous legislation to vote. Let your voice be heard. Go to the following link and VOTE.
Are crowds like this only for BIG Markets city teams, or teams that are marketing themselves better to the community? (Photo Bill Menzel)
Is there a problem with attendance to this season's baseball games? I gues it depends on where you are looking from and what team your talking about. The following article raises some interesting points on this years fan attendance in ball parks throughout the USA & Canada.
What do you think, do you agree? Give us your feedback below.
