EMAIL us your comments, insights or whatever

  • NOISportsblog@gmail.com

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Braves Sold: Aaron to Have Bigger Role

The sale of the Atlanta Braves has been approved.

We posted several days ago about Rainbow/PUSH's meeting with Braves' management. The meeting was to bring attention to the fact that Braves' roster was virtually African-American free.

Of course, we weathered a storm of anger from some of our less enlightened readers. Screaming nonsense about "ability dictates the roster" and "there just aren't enough African-Americans that are good enough". All this, despite the fact that several teams have rosters that contain "good enough" African Americans.

Well, this sale of the Braves may change all that.

We are the first to admit that we have scolded Hank Aaron for his disinterest and standoffish attitude towards Bonds' record quest. We even accused him of being in the back pocket of Commissioner Bud Selig.

But suddenly, the picture is becoming much more clear.

"Hank Aaron is going be a critical part of all this. It was very important to me, and I know it's very important to Terry and to Bill," commissioner Bud Selig said at a news conference with McGuirk and Braves chairman emeritus Bill Bartholomay. "I'm sure there will be an increased role for Hank."

Could Hank be standing down from the Bonds stuff in return for Selig's support here?

And, could Hank be doing it with the ultimate goal of addressing the declining numbers of African-Americans on the Braves and in baseball?

"Which brings us to the primary reason Aaron is returning. “I’m going to stay around long enough to raise people’s attention on some things, because there are a bunch of things that I want [baseball and the Braves] to do,” said Aaron, referring to the ridiculously low number of African-American players in the game. Until the Braves promoted Cairo’s Willie Harris from the minors this week, they were one of two teams in the majors with no African-Americans on their 40-man roster."


"...said [Braves president] Terry McGuirk, who likely will hold his current position when Time Warner sells the team to Liberty Media. “It’s pretty neat to know Hank personally and to have him in your presence. I want him around forever.”

So, the commission AND the team's execs are fully supportive of Aaron coming aboard with the intention of addressing some of these pressing issues. Certainly, they wouldn't be supportive of Aaron assuming an operational role if they also didn't recognize and concur that the Braves inability to identify and field Negro talent was not a pressing issue that needed fixed.

We want to congratulate Rainbow/PUSH on this impressive result.

One has to wonder if the Braves would be taking such initiative if Rainbow/PUSH hadn't had the fortitude to stand up to them and make that meeting happen.

We also have to admit our surprise and respect for Selig and for the Braves' executives on this issue. It is not often that a league and team will admit they have not been running a fair business and take the necessary steps to correct the problems.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

is there nothing Jesse Jackson can't accomplish!

Anonymous said...

A. Sharpton -

Scoreboard!

J. Jackson

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

Rev, The link your handle leads to is a gem.

Anonymous said...

how come the jesse jackson website doesnt have any picts of him when he was shaking down Coca Cola so they would give his son a free distributorship?

rstiles said...

Hank Aaron is da man

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"how come the jesse jackson website doesnt have any picts of him when he was shaking down Coca Cola so they would give his son a free distributorship? "

Sir, don't hold Jesse responsible for the general "white guilt" that the corporation must have felt.

All Jesse did was point out injustices.

The reaction of the corporation was clearly their way of acknowledging their history of transgressions.

Anonymous said...

The reaction of the corporation was clearly their way of acknowledging their history of transgressions.

or a shakedown payment...notice how Jesse or jesse's family always gets richer off these so called transgressions. Jesse just sued a bakery cause he found a black and white cookie with too much vanilla frosting on it...racist cookies.
You racist...pay me!!

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"notice how Jesse or jesse's family always gets richer off these so called transgressions."

Sir, while your opinion on this subject, in which you weren't present for any of the discussions and have no direct path to Jesse's mind to understand his thought process, is of the utmost value; all we have to do is look at Coke.

A huge corporation with a myriad of legal resources. Have they ever taken action legally against Jesse? Have they ever accused him of, as you so assuredly put it as "shaking down"? One would certainly think that a hugely profitable and resource rich corporation would be capable of both defending itself legally and voicing displeasure; if in fact they felt they were "shaken down".

We get it, sir. You read the book "Shake Down" and, despite the fact that much of the info is nonsubstantiated and the author is writing with a clear agenda; you take it as gospel.

We, sir, as our readers will acknowledge deal in facts and real actions.

Coca Cola was involved in the situation. They took no legal action and voiced no concern that they felt they were being "shaken down".

We'll side with Coke on this, and disregard your "insights" into the matter.


(Note to self: add "CEO of Coke" to this guy's list of expertise)

Anonymous said...

A huge corporation with a myriad of legal resources. Have they ever taken action legally against Jesse? Have they ever accused him of, as you so assuredly put it as "shaking down"? One would certainly think that a hugely profitable and resource rich corporation would be capable of both defending itself legally and voicing displeasure; if in fact they felt they were "shaken down".

Nothing is more valuable than image to a company like Coke...with their financial resources it made much more sense to just pay off jesse and have him go away. He gets rich..coke doesnt have their imaged soiled by him and the black community..well they get nothing but at least jesse can afford to buy expensive suits for his next tv appearance.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Nothing is more valuable than image to a company like Coke"

Sir, these are YOUR feelings.

We'd expect that, as with all corporations, nothing would be more important than their integrity.

Coke has used legal means in the past many times when they have felt that competitors or others have infringed upon their rights or tarnished their name or image.

You are simply giving YOUR take on the situation. We are giving Coke's actual ACTIONS.

You whined and bitched about Rainbow/PUSHES meeting and contentions in relation to the Braves.

The Braves verified Rainbow/PUSHES concerns and enacted a plan of action which will, in essence, address them.

Let's just say your track record of interpreting large corporations intentions and feelings is not good here.

Fair enough?

As we stated. Coke never voiced any displeasure or insinuated they felt "shaken down".

Your comments are hyperbole and speculation on your part.

You've proven, with your performance on the Braves thread, that you aren't capable of reading into things.

So just stop.

You embarrass yourself. But more importantly you embarrass our blog with your wrong presence.

Just stop.

Anonymous said...

Sir, an apology to you I owe.

I was merely trying to brag on my accomplishment to a fellow bro.

This action sparked comments by 'anonymous' that have made rage flow.

It is apparent that his reasoning is slow.

When we overcome the racist nature of society, those who mock us will be dining on crow.

Though you are shackled with the heavy oars of enlightenment, through the ocean of racism, I encourage you to continue to row.

For in this struggle, all we have is our fellow bro.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"For in this struggle, all we have is our fellow bro. "

Sir,

Like a candle in midnight dark, we see your insights glow.

We share your pride in change, although progess is slow.

To you, we say, Allahu Akhbar, God is great...but this YOU know.

From you, no apology is necessary, in Peace you go.

Anonymous said...

Coca Cola was involved in the situation. They took no legal action and voiced no concern that they felt they were being "shaken down".

it is cheaper and less of a headache to do what they did...the way people like you throw around the term "racist" shows how easily a company or brand can be labeled that way....perception only counts when it suits you.

Anonymous said...

As we stated. Coke never voiced any displeasure or insinuated they felt "shaken down".
Wake up!!! if they voiced displeasure Jesse would be the first to label them racists...that is how the game works...you see it but cant admit it because it would destroy all of this crap you are trying to build up. Jesse wont stop racism because he needs racism to make money...he is the ultimate hypocrit...a man who goes around making anti-white and anti-jewish statements but labels others racist....so just stop defending this clown at any cost cause he sure dont give a damn about you...not unless he can squeeze a buck outta ya.

Anonymous said...

I was merely trying to brag on my accomplishment to a fellow bro.

This action sparked comments by 'anonymous' that have made rage flow.

It is apparent that his reasoning is slow.

When we overcome the racist nature of society, those who mock us will be dining on crow.

Though you are shackled with the heavy oars of enlightenment, through the ocean of racism, I encourage you to continue to row.

For in this struggle, all we have is our fellow bro.

the poem "shake em down Jesse"

Call the whitey a racist say he is full of hate,
threaten to destroy their reputation and things will be great.
They will pay u lotsa money to just go away
It is hard to put back your reputation, but it is easy to pay.
Whereever there's a dollar is where I'll be...I am planning another press conference in Hymietown, NYC.
My lifestyle will never get old...
racism to me is worth its weight in gold.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"perception only counts when it suits you."

Sir, and reality means nothing to you.

We seriously doubt that a huge company like Coke would let some blow hard Negro minister punk them.

Get real.

You have said Jackson is worthless, meaningless and a schister.

You say that everyone KNOWS he's a shakedown artist.

So....why wouldn't big ole Coke put its foot down? Why give in to KNOWN schisters? Certainly a large company like Coke wouldn't worry about their image, when under attack from a known shake down artist.

Or, maybe they, like the Braves...genuinely accepted the criticism and wanted to correct it?

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"the poem "shake em down Jesse""

Sir, while we applaud your effort:

i. your meter is off. no beat.

ii. you didn't stick to the same rhyme for the entire discourse.

We await a more inspired submission.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"so just stop defending this clown at any cost cause he sure dont give a damn about you"

Sir, we look elsewhere for the Negro voice.

The white media looks at Jesse.

Blame (so to speak) his "success" on yourselves (whites). They are the ones that take him seriously and cave in.

:)

Anonymous said...

So....why wouldn't big ole Coke put its foot down? Why give in to KNOWN schisters? Certainly a large company like Coke wouldn't worry about their image, when under attack from a known shake down artist.

Because the black community is misguided and reveres jackson as a leader. Let me ask..why are YOU able to speak as if you know what the coca cola company was thinking? oh i forgot you are allowed to spin..you do it well.
The company FEARS being labeled racist and the black community trusts in all that jesse says..hence it is a major threat to their business. It is alot cheaper and less painful for them to pay jesse off...he goes away and they dont get the negative air time. Jesse claims victory for blacks everywhere and then goes and buys expensive suits.

Anonymous said...

Sir, we look elsewhere for the Negro voice.

The white media looks at Jesse.

Blame (so to speak) his "success" on yourselves (whites). They are the ones that take him seriously and cave in.

HAAHAAA...you write posts praising him but you look elsewhere for the negro voice..are u the negro voice cause it seems i am the only person who listens to anything you say. I get it ..whites are to blame for everything...you are a joke man. i will say this your stupidity is entertaining.

Anonymous said...

i. your meter is off. no beat.

ii. you didn't stick to the same rhyme for the entire discourse.

are u saying i have no rhythm..you racist...i bet you cant swim..sink like a stone.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Because the black community is misguided and reveres jackson as a leader. Let me ask..why are YOU able to speak as if you know what the coca cola company was thinking? oh i forgot you are allowed to spin..you do it well."

Sir, NO.

The white media reveres Jackson as the leader of Negroes. Talk to some Negroes, you will be surprised.

We simply have reported Coke's ACTIONS. Which YOU disregard and try to explain away. We did a search and found they have taken legal action against other parties that they felt damaged their name. They didn't take action against Jackson.

Comprende?

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"the black community trusts in all that jesse says.."

LOL.

This is the personification of your disconnect with Negro America.

You have completely exposed yourself.

LOL.

Meet some Negroes. Please!

Read some "black" writers. LOL

This is your all time dumbest and most racist generalization.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"are u saying i have no rhythm..you racist...i bet you cant swim..sink like a stone."

Sir, no.

I'm saying you are a lousy poet/writer.

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"HAAHAAA...you write posts praising him but you look elsewhere for the negro voice..are u the negro voice cause it seems i am the only person who listens to anything you say. I get it ..whites are to blame for everything..."

Sir, we are supportive of some of the results he has achieved. What's wrong with that?

We don't support Bush, but we appreciate certain results.

It's called being open minded. Try it.

Whites are the ones that publicize Jesse and cover his every word. And that cave in to him.

Look in the mirror and blame yourself.

Unsilent Majority said...

this is too much fun

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"this is too much fun"

Sir, we agree.

Educating others is its own reward, for us.

Andrew said...

Truly, an educational experience sirs.

Now I know how not to be such a lame poet.

And I know it! YAYS!

Foxxy Brown said...

"Meet Some Negroes. Please!"

Sir,

Have we not suffered enough?

Best,

The Negroes

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Have we not suffered enough?

Best,

The Negroes"

Ma'am, you point of order is dually noted.

:)

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Truly, an educational experience sirs.

Now I know how not to be such a lame poet.

And I know it! YAYS! "

Sir,

Your poetic inspiration is off to a roaring beginning.

YAYS is fine use of the tool of onomatopoeia. Well done!

Anonymous said...

Sir,

Your responses are as powerful as a plate glass window.

Chuck

nation_of_islam_sportsblog said...

"Your responses are as powerful as a plate glass window. "

Sir, fall through one. And see what happens to you.