Barry Bonds: Finally, His Ball In The Hall!

Finally!

After negotiating and negotiating with Mark Ecko, the procurer of Barry Bonds record breaking ball, the Hall of Fame will be able to display the ball.

Supposedly, the point of contention was that Ecko originally wanted to loan it to the Hall, but the Hall will only accept unconditional donations. In other words, the Hall demanded to be the soul possessor of Bond's ball.

Certainly, we originally thought the hold up was this absurd 'trial' and all the rumors and innuendo that have contaminated Bonds' legacy. It's comforting to know that the Hall is not casting judgment or taking sides prior to a fair and reasonable resolution of Bonds' situation.

Our next concern was that the Hall was taking an opportunity to mitigate Bonds' accomplishment by making some sort of 'statement' through the display. But, the classy way that Mark McGwire's ball was displayed (with no insinuation or innuendo pointing towards his connection to the performance enhancement allegations) certainly lets us know that this is simply a museum documenting Bonds record.

Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of the entire process is Mark Ecko's personal tribute to Bonds. Ecko, a fashion designer with a flair for artistic design, added his very own personal touch to the ball. He branded it.

Ecko branded the ball with a unique star design, custom fashioned to symbolize the amplitude of Bonds' achievement.

Thank you, Baseball Hall of Fame, enshriners of alleged KKK members Rogers Hornsby and Tris Speaker, for making sure you gave Barry Bonds a special place in the Hall. And for taking the time to draw special attention to his most precious artifact...when you never took the time to do so for the so many pieces of memorabilia commemorating the achievements of caucazoid players who may or may not have engaged in questionable activities.

Barry Bonds: the true 'star' of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Josh Hamilton: Caucasian Love?

As we conducted our daily perusing of the internet to find injustice and topics for our educatory offerings; we came across a post on The Big Lead which got us thinking.

The post covered a discussion that took place on a radio show (on 850 the Buzz) hosted by former ESPN page 2 contributor Bomani Jones (Jones is hosting the show in June and July on weekdays from 3-6PM live_feed) . During a discussion about the great first two months of the season by baseball's Josh Hamilton (Hamilton is the former #1 pick turned drug addict, turned recovered potential superstar), Jones wondered if the press was particularly enamored and receptive to the story of Hamilton's redemptive quest and success because of his pale hue and rekindled devotion to Christianity.

Certainly, a fair question. And one that, we at NOIS had discussed amongst ourselves in the past.

In an effort for further clarification, we decided to ask Bomani Jones a few more questions about his take on the subject. And, we also decided to get the opinion of other another prominent Negro sports columnist, Scoop Jackson.

First, our discussion with Bomani (edit. this was a discussion format, so please, those of you that love to send us grammar and spelling corrections...this is unedited/as is....so save the the Ms. Crabapple act):

NOIS: First, there have been black athletes that have fallen, obviously, into a world of drugs. Darryl Strawberry and Doc Gooden come to mind quite quickly. And, both of those guys went thru periods in which it seemed like they had recovered. Was the media as supportive? As applauding? Positive? I seem to remember the media being skeptical....but that's my memory. The possibility of relapse to addiction is staggering. Is it not odd that the media isn't skeptical about what the future holds for Hamilton? That everyone is so sure that he is on the right road forever?

Bomani: I don't remember Strawberry receiving the same treatment, nor do I remember Gooden throwing a no-hitter for the Yankees being treated as a tale of triumph over adversity. But, I'm also young enough that someone could prove me wrong by doing the LexisNexis search that I'm too tired to do myself right now. The saddest thing about Strawberry didn't come from the media, though. It came from Tom Lasorda, Straw manager when he relapsed in Los Angeles, who refused to acknowledge addiction as a sickness and went out of his way to call it "a weakness."

What's striking to me is the humanity that Hamilton has been afforded the last couple of years. It's a humanity he absolutely deserves, mind you. I've never met a single person that wanted to be strung out, so I'm not about to wag a finger at him for getting hooked on drugs. I applaud him for rising up and reclaiming his life. The baseball thing is secondary to me. I'd be thrilled for him if he was working on a garbage truck and just quit smoking cigarettes.

I can't say for sure exactly why Hamilton's story has been treated as it has. I just know I've never seen a former crack smoker get this much love from anyone, and the sports media hasn't earned the benefit of the doubt on this thing (or much of anything when it comes to race, quite honestly). Never.

In Hamilton's story, he is the protagonist, and addiction is treated as the villain. The dragon isn't slain, but it's a beast that we're made to root against (as we should). In most cases, however, it is the addict that is treated as the villain. That is where this case is different than most i recall seeing.

Check the SI piece (which is well-written, I must say). Hamilton's father-in-law talks about how aware Josh is that "the devil" isn't far away. The Rangers have Jerry Narron with Hamilton as "a friend" and "a precaution," according to Hamilton. All very human stuff.

That's also stuff that, depending on who's behind the keyboard and who's under the microscope, could have been written differently. Narron could have been cast more as a supervisor, someone to make sure he behaves himself. I already talked about stuff like the addiction as "the devil." The question is simply this -- why does Josh Hamilton get such treatment and others don't?

Race certainly isn't the only factor, but you have to consider it. This country has put a black face on it's nonsensical "War on Drugs" from Day One, a strategy that is certainly more about being "tough on crime" than it is about helping anybody, considering that drugs aren't any harder to find than they used to be but these policies haven't undergone much change. Check the history, and you'll find a significant reason that cocaine was made illegal was to protect society from "cocaine crazed Negroes." Policies and perceptions, when it comes to drugs, have always had a racial component.

So people are going to try to tell me that Josh Hamilton, a middle-class white guy, isn't getting different treatment than a black person would? Anyone that says that white drug addicts are not treated with a different level of sympathy than black ones is either stupid, or must think I am, if I'm expected to believe that. If you don't question whether race had something to do with how a story of a white drug addict is reported vis-a-vis a black one, it's only because you don't want to.

Now, as for media skepticism about Hamilton, I'm sure it's there. It has to be. I haven't seen it vocalized much, and maybe that's because doing so interferes with the story (I was accused by many listeners of tainting the story, one I praised on air a few dozen times). It's expressed when you see people talk about all the steps Hamilton takes to avoid temptation -- not going out with teammates, not taking per diem money, etc. -- but that stuff seems to be framed as a testament to his dedication and to the power of the devil.

My frustration, however, is not with how Hamilton's story is being treated. It's the stories that don't get this treatment that make me scratch my head. The depths of Hamilton's addiction, considering that he emerged from them, were unique. Addiction, however, was not, nor is overcoming it.

I can think of addicts with backgrounds that made it far more likely they would get strung out than Josh Hamilton The sordid tale of Chris Washburn, who was shamelessly used his whole basketball playing life, immediately comes to mind. Washburn is a punch line when people talk about cocaine-addicted basketball players, and that's foul.

I just don't think stardom or whiteness or anything else need be coupled with a neat story should be required before treating a recovered addict with respect and humanity.

NOIS: Forgotten in all of this is the fact that Hamilton DID what he did. Certainly, we are a very forgiving society. Do you think that young black athletes, like Pacman Jones, who has been reckless and a poor decision maker...do you think that if he is able to make better decisions, mature and become a solid citizen, that HE will hailed by the media as a 'hero'? Or can he look forward to people saying that the only reason he stopped his reckless behavior was the money?

Bomani: As a hero? Hell no, he won't. Pacman's haunted by demons, and we all know it. It's also worth noting that Pacman hasn't talked to many people about said demons (through a mutual friend that I've known since I was 16, and that he's known his whole life, I was turned down for an interview last year). Would he receive such treatment if he was more open? Mayhaps.

Another part that can't be ignored is that there hasn't been a line of people running to say what a great guy Pacman is or was before. Again, I know people that will vouch for him, and they're people I trust for totally non-business reasons. Most people don't. If people thought he was a bad guy before -- and most did -- then they won't be but so happy to see him succeed. On my show, I had all kinds of people that knew Hamilton from various points in his life talk about what a great guy he is. That is a significant point if Hamilton and Jones are going to be compared with one another (something I did on my show, and something a few of my listeners astutely pointed out, though I don't think this is the only real difference between these two guys).

I know this, though -- a storyline of training camp and beyond with Pacman will be whether he falls back into his bad behavior. It will come up early, and it will probably come up often. Hell, he isn't even really reinstated yet, as they make sure he can get through training camp without sneaking strippers in or something. Can't blame anyone for that, either. It's hard to stop being a knucklehead, even if we're dealing with a knucklehead young enough to grow out of a lot of his problems (like Josh Hamilton did).

If Pacman has four interceptions and a return touchdown in his first five games -- which, ballparking here, is an equivalent start to Hamilton's torrid pace -- you will not see "The Redemption of Pacman Jones" on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Of that, I can guarantee you. But, how much of that will be because Pacman won't be talking? Or because he's not as magnetic as Hamilton? Good questions.

I think Pacman's as haunted by his past as Hamilton was by whatever told him to keep getting high. If he succeeds, he's overcoming, too (and honestly, some would argue that Pacman overcame just by living this long). How do we decide whose triumph over adversity, whether self-inflicted or not, is noble and whose is just a matter of cleaning up his own mess? By whether we like them or not? There's got to be a better standard to use than that.

NOIS: From all accounts, Hamilton came from a fairly solid, stable background. Yet he fell into drugs. No one blamed his 'culture' or background for what happened. Yet, when a black athlete makes poor decisions, many in the media want to drag his 'culture' down with him. No one says, 'josh hamilton fell victim to the ills of his middle class white upbringing...and that is why he had those horrible few years'.....yet, regardless of the background of a black athlete who makes bad moves, 'black' culture is called into question...when a white athlete falls, it is simply an indictment of the white athlete....when a black athlete falls, it is an indictment of the athlete, his upbringing, black society and anything else that can be thrown in.....(I guess that wasn't a question....it was just a rant....sorry.....lol)

Bomani: The curse of blackness is as follows -- nothing good you do represents anyone but you, and it barely does that much. The bad you do represents every single black person on this side of Senegal AND the culture they subscribe to. Now, the killer is that black culture is treated as separate from this larger culture that is America.

Michael Moore did a movie called "Roger and Me" a long time ago, a film about life in Flint, Mich. after a plant closing. Long of the short -- General Motors did those hard-working Americans dirty, and leaving town was part of why crime began to skyrocket. It's a fair point Moore makes.

When I think of Flint, I think of some hard ass ghettoes and gangs. I know black folks from Michigan, so I think of the things they tell me about the place (I've never been there). The way I see it, gangs thrive in situations of poverty, the kind of poverty that comes when a blue-collar industry that employs vast swaths of people goes away. In other words, I doubt the gang situation in Flint would be what some say it is had automobile industry not pulled out. It's the same way Baltimore wouldn't have become what it is now -- now that, I've seen -- had the shipping industry not died.

Dollars to donuts says when people see those boys bangin' in Flint, they blame black culture, the same way they do when they see boys selling dope in Baltimore. If they see struggling white people in Flint, they want to spit on General Motors.

See what I mean?

I personally long for the day that I am afforded my God-given American right to not give a flying fuck about anybody else when I do something, whether it be good or bad. I long for the day when my mistakes are my own, and I'm not expected to represent 20 or 30 million people with every word I say. That's a luxury white folks have that other groups don't, and it's something they should feel really grateful for -- the comfort in knowing that the behavior of people you've never met has absolutely no effect on your life. I really wonder what that's like.

Certainly, some folks who listened to Bomani's show, or have heard others mention that Hamilton is getting more positive media support because of his sun-starved skin naturally jumped to the prerequisite conclusion that Jones and others were simply playing the 'race card'. Complaining and mentioning race as means to gain attention for themselves. Or, are so race fixated that they see racism at every turn.

If you read Jones' comments here, you would understand that it is much deeper than race. It is respect and humanity. It is compassion. The question is, is it easier to be more compassionate to one of your own?

As we mentioned, we wanted other thoughts on this topic. So, we turned to ESPN.com's Scoop Jackson.

NOIS: Any thoughts on whether the feel good buzz and attention on Josh Hamilton's rise from the ashes would be as closely covered and widely applauded if he were not of a pale hue?

Scoop: i just read the SI joint and WAS THINKING THE EXACT SAME THING!!!!


Again, The question is, is it easier to be more compassionate to one of your own?

Stephen A. Smith: Falling In Line

Not long ago, Stephen A lost his newspaper writing gig. A little while before that, he lost his TV show on ESPN.

For a while, Screamin' Stephen wasn't particularly visible. One can imagine that losing outlets to 'perform' would certainly weigh heavy on the ego.

Now, as Smith is contributing more to ESPN magazine, one wonders if the fear of losing this position is forging his views and formulating his opinions.

On Willie Randolph: The Mets' own cable network was covering him negatively because he's black? The suggestion seems the epitome of stupidity.

The notion that Willie Randolph was the victim of a concerted effort by team controlled media to shed a negative light on him...in an effort to turn the public against him to provide ownership a smoother avenue to dismiss him is stupid? Really? The notion that management wanted him gone because it had little patience for a struggling Negro is that far fetched, Stephen?

From them, we can glean another rule: Always come across as one who appreciates your good fortune, especially in front of media members who don't share your hue. Only then will fame arrive, along with wealth and a favorable image. Forget to do this, and you will become extinct.

Smith essentially is saying that Randolph would have been better served to shut up, repress his inherent need to expose the vicious racism that was being perpetrated against him and collect his paychecks.

If only it were so easy. For minorities in sports, paranoia is grounded in a reality that cannot be ignored. You can't ignore the paucity of African-Americans and other minorities in high-profile positions of authority. You can't ignore that even reporters who recognize this feed the impression that minority managers and coaches and GMs should be more grateful for their jobs than their white contemporaries. And you can't ignore that minorities in these positions may interpret a reporter's body language or facial expression or comment as betraying something more insidious—a questioning of the legitimacy of their accomplishments.

And, certainly, falling into the trap of allowing paranoia to move ones lips would only further the harm of the situation in general.

It (paranoia) is what caused Willie Randolph to show such faulty reasoning as he broke the unwritten rules. Paranoia does funny things to a man.

Indeed. Paranoia exposes faulty logic, irrational thought and poor judgment. To wit, Smith's reaction to being fired by the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, fired a week ago by the Philadelphia Inquirer for job abandonment, shot back at the newspaper on Friday, saying in a statement, “What they have done to me is malicious, intentional and vindictive.”
"I put my life and all that I have into the Philadelphia Inquirer first as a reporter and then as a general columnist. I was raised to work hard and play by the rules. That is what I have done. I’ve worked hard and earned every single promotion and accolade that I received while at the Inquirer.
“No one did me any favors or gave me anything, nor did I expect them to. What’s fair is fair and what’s right is right. What they have done to me is malicious, intentional and vindictive. They want to ruin my reputation and all of the hard work that I have done over the years.
“I have never abandoned a job in my whole life. I wasn’t raised that way. The Inquirer forced me out and smeared my name and credibility.
“My family always said that your name is all that you have, and they have tried to destroy it.”

Out to destroy his family name?

A need for Smith to explain how hard he has worked and that all accolades and promotions were earned? No one did him any favors? One wonders why those comments are necessary.

Yes, paranoia can certainly do funny things to a man and cause faulty reasoning.

Perhaps even cause him to change his outlook on the situation of others.

Seems Stephen A's advice to Randolph about always coming across as one who appreciates your good fortune, especially in front of media members who don't share your hue. Only then will fame arrive, along with wealth and a favorable image is a reflection of the lessons his own paranoia taught him.

And a reflection of what we can expect in his future ESPN columns.

Roger Clemens: Is Anyone Surprised?

We have been getting email after email referencing the latest choice detail in the Roger Clemens saga. That detail being that Clemens may well have been involved in an intimate relationship with a female minor.

Many of our readers are up in arms that the media is not dragging Clemens over the coals. That the media is not providing non-stop coverage. That children's and women's advocacy groups are not speaking out. Certainly, if Clemens had been a young, Negro accused of not stopping dogs from having fights on his property...advocacy groups would be organizing mass demonstrations against his very existence! Or had Clemens been the Negro Home Run King, we might now be questioning his moral character as a result of his philandering.

But, Clemens is the Cy Young and Strike Out King (read: white), so expectations are different. Media spin is different. And public reaction is different.

Many Negroes and supporters of fair reporting and unspun media commentary have suggested that the media goes out of its way to shine a negative light on the circumstances that Negro athletes find themselves. Many have said that Barry Bonds has been held to a different standard than players such as Mark McGwire. The insinuation is that the media has taken an unfair approach to painting a negative picture of Bonds. That the media has introduced things such as a loose lipped mistress to further soil the linen in which the public perception of Bonds rests.

All of this certainly begs the question: Why is Roger Clemens not being mercilessly demonized? Why is there not a public outcry to nullify his records and awards? Why are baseball people not taking an oath to keep him out of the Hall of Fame?

These are legitimate questions. And, as righteous thinkers we can provide effective and legitimate answers to them.

The answer isn't complicated. And, despite institutionalized efforts that are intertwined between the government, corporations and media; the example of Roger Clemens treatment by the press juxtaposed to Barry Bonds' is not a sinister or conspiratory plot to hold the Negro down or to sully and besmirch a race. Now, be clear in your understanding, this sort of thing is a common tactic used by the Big House to hold down the chattel, but the example we provide here is more rooted in the admission of the differences between the races than in attempts to provide a means to overcome those differences by holding the righteous and Originals back or down.

At times, institutionalized discrimination can reveal more than a simple hatred or distaste for that party or group being mercilessly persecuted and marginalized. It can lend us the opportunity to understand just where that hatred originates. Most of a righteous mind would agree that hatred between humans originates in fear. And fear is borne of a jealous womb.

And, righteous minds understand that even in an institutionally corrupt and fetid environment, the wardens and bosses occasionally allow an honest thought or action to escape them and give away their minds and thoughts. And fears. And jealousies.

Our righteous readers, at this point, understand what we are about to say. They understand that watching Roger Clemens' actions and character be treated with nothing more than a passing glance out of the corner of the media's collective eye is actually something in which the Original athlete can take pride.

We mentioned expectations and standards earlier. Why does a Jared Allen, a convicted habitual drunk driver, get a mere slap on the wrist and a record contract? While a Pacman Jones, unconvicted and characterized by some in the legal/law enforcement profession as a 'hero', get a years suspension? Why is Barry Bonds, whose story seems to parallel Clemens (except Bonds extra-marital dalliance was not started with a minor), run out of the game?

Clearly, the answer is race.

The empirical and anecdotal evidence is not confrontable. It can't be challenged. Please, save your emails. Disagreement is not entertainable.

Let's agree on that. But, also, let's understand what that means.

As we suggested earlier, hatred is rooted in fear is rooted in jealousy. What does that mean? Well, it takes us back to the words expectation and standards.

Negro athletes are held to higher social and moral expectations and standards than their bleached counterparts.

Jared Allen's contract. Roger Clemens' ability to still get a job in baseball if he chooses. These are the proof in the pudding.

Michael Vick. Pacman Jones. Barry Bonds. Carmello Anthony. The list goes on and on. Demonized and crushed under the media grind.

More is expected of our Negro athletes. The media and public don't expect a Jared Allen to be able to control himself and make reasonable choices when it comes to alcohol. The media and public don't expect a Roger Clemens to perform at a high level without chemical assistance. They don't expect a Roger Clemens to exercise the moral restraint to keep his hands off a teenage girl.
The media does expect Michael Vick to have control over what happens at property he pays for. The media does expect Pacman Jones to leave a strip club as soon as he recognizes there is the potential for trouble. The media does expect Barry Bonds to hit massive and numerous home runs with the assistance of balanced nutrition and consistent strength training. And the media does expect Bonds to set a moral example that young people can take value in.

So righteous readers, take pride in the media's continual and relentless pressure cooking of Original athletes who find themselves in odd situations. And take greater pride as white athletes who break laws, lie and show the moral fortitude of a Chicago-machine politician, are reported on in passing and small print by the media.


It's a simple and righteous tip of the hat to the Negro athlete.


More is expected of you.


Because you are better.


Better talents, better people.


Original people.


The day that Roger Clemens goes into the Hall of Fame is the day that Barry Bonds is crowned the greatest baseball player of all time.


The media set the standards.


The Original athlete simply tries to meet them.

Roger Clemens: Congressional Probe

Initially, we were greatly surprised to read that Congress has decided that they are unsure of the veracity of Roger Clemens presentation before them a few weeks ago. In response, Congress has decided to look more deeply into the issue and has asked Justice to investigate Clemens for possibly lying under oath.

Certainly, we would have expected Congressional outrage and media vilification of Clemens; at least on the level that the Home Run King received.

To this point, it didn't seem forthcoming.

So, obviously, it was a bit surprising to see Congress attempting to pass out equal treatment to the pitcher (read: caucasoid).

Until sitting in front of the Congressional committee, Clemens flew relatively below the radar on the steroid screen. Sure, since day one his name had been mentioned. But, everyone wanted to wait for hard evidence and actual incriminating testimony from third parties/friends before 'indicting' him. Taking testimony from 'mistresses' with agendas and drug dealers facing charges were only satisfactory when 'indicting' the Home Run King.

How did this game change? How is Clemens now being held accountable? Why?

Is it because of the media spotlight outlets like NOIS have been shining on Clemens for long months now? Though most readers would certainly give some credence to that theory, we believe the change in direction by both the legislature and the media is attributable to another factor.

Half-Brother Barack Obama.

As Obama has captured the heart and soul of this nation, both the media and Congress realize that they are in a position to have to fall in line with what this country will stand for and what this country wants.

Congress realizes that Obama in the White House is an inevitable conclusion. The media realizes this. And America wants this.

Certainly, with a Half-Brother as the chief executor of the nation, a focus of both the legislative branch of government and the fourth estate will be on equality and fair treatment of all. It is in that interest that Congress has now decided that they can no longer allow Clemens to roam freely in the face of virtually indisputable evidence showing he sat in front of them and lied to their faces.

A tremendous Hispanic player did that to them, and he was run out of the game of baseball.

It is now time to send Roger Clemens to the gallows. To run him out of the sport and to further make an example out of him by incarcerating him for his perjurious utterings before elected and treasured leaders.

Fairness in treatment on this level would not be possible had not Barack Obama taken flight on his majestic journey to lead a shackled nation to freedom. The government and press had been content to devalue, dethrone and destroy the Home Run King. But Obama's presence and his inevitable role as guide in change has manifested a renewed understanding of what 'justice for all' truly means.

So, realize, as baseball (and all sports) seek to provide the nation with a clean and honest product of interest and diversion; realize that it would not be possible had not a young half-original man not had the spirit and faith to follow his dream to free his country through change.

Yes, we can change!

And getting the pitcher (see above for definition) out of baseball is the first major step.

Baseball: Player Credits McGwire For Home Run Increase

Matt Holliday of the Colorado Rockies hit his 11th homer in 12 games, helping his run towards MVP.

Holliday believes his rise can be attributed to help he received from a former home run hero.

The left fielder who hit his 100th career homer this week and who credits batting tips from former St. Louis slugger Mark McGwire for helping transform him into an MVP candidate has to be among the most modest mashers in the game.



We demand that MLB drug test Holliday right now!

Barry Bonds: Where Is He Celebrating HR Record?

As Barry Bonds' inevitable assumption of the home run throne approaches, we wonder:

What will Bonds do to celebrate? Who will Bonds look to to share his joy? Which people will Bonds trust to genuinely share in the unmitigated pride and unabashed glory of his accomplishment?

The entire chase has been surreal. From the moment that Bonds was within a reasonable distance to fear that he would take the crown, the pressure and non-stop media crucifixion began.

Somehow, despite the evidence, admissions and failed tests of others; Bonds has been the poster boy of steroids. Bonds has been the one continually called a cheater. Bonds has been the one that has drawn the ire of every supposed guardian of the game of baseball.

At the same time, dozen of players have failed tests. Jason Giambi has all but confessed to using PED's.

But Bonds takes the brunt of the press corps led malfeasance and takes the verbal assaults launched by the talking heads on TV an Radio.

With all that hatred, it is no wonder that, instead of saying "I'm going to Disney World"...Bonds is saying:

After the record is broken and the spotlight has faded, Bonds revealed where he wants to celebrate — Africa. He complained that he had never taken a vacation because he was always hard at work. But sometime soon, he should have an extended break.

It is a wonderful statement and a wholly sad sentiment, at once.

Certainly, Bonds desire to return to the land of the original baseball player is understandable. Returning to the Mother Continent is something all athletes should consider doing after a notable achievement.

But, the sad reality is that his desire to return is probably prompted by the hatred, jealousy and down right ill will with which the white media has covered this glorious chase of immortality.

We believe Africa is the land in which Bonds belongs.

The time has manifested itself.

Take the home run record to the continent on which it belongs.

Hit 756, Barry. Run the bases. Run straight out through the dugout, through the clubhouse to your limo. Head to the airport. And get on a plane.

It's the fitting ending for this chase the media has so viciously tainted.

Barry Bonds: Finally Standing Up to Media

Barry Bonds has been the target of media hate and abuse for years now. Of course, the so far futile attempts to link him to steroid use have been the overwhelming favorite avenue to try to tear apart the reputation and legacy of Bonds.

Bonds' ability to deal with the day to day frustration of being the lavatorial receptacle for the media's collective verbal colon evacuation has thus far been admirable. He has done his best to lead a normal existence and be the epitome of professionalism in his sport.

But, a time comes when even the most reverent individuals say, enough is enough.

"You mean that little midget man who absolutely knows jack … about baseball, who never played the game before?" Bonds, speaking to a handful of reporters before Wednesday night's 2-1 win over Atlanta, said of Costas. "You can tell Bob Costas what I called him."

Bonds aggravation reach its apex after Costas interviewed convicted steroid supplier Patrick Arnold. The man who developed the undetectable steroid which was distributed for use to unknowing and unsuspecting athletes in the form of a lotion like substance called the "clear". Ostensibly represented by those administering the substance to the athletes as flax oil. Arnold all but accused Bonds of knowingly and willfully using steroids he developed.

One must remember that Arnold was sentenced to a minimal three month term for his proven involvement in the BALCO scandal. So, the notion that in return for such a light sentence Arnold would help the feds try to make their case against Bonds is certainly a fair assumption.

Of course, Bonds was able to effectively blow the notion of any involvement out of the water.

"I've never seen the man in my entire life," Bonds said of Arnold. "I've never heard of the man … never."

Why are the press and prosecutors not willing to just accept the facts?

The most heinous part of Costas little assault on Bonds:

He waited as long as he could. Right up until Bonds is at the brink of the record. This was a concerted and carefully schedule offensive maneuver designed to interfere with and deliver a forceful negative blow to Bonds impending assumption of the home run kingship.

Such behavior by Costas is a demonstration that he is completely nonobjective, biased and hell bent on personally being involved in the fall of Barry Bonds.

The timing of his interview was unfair and was a complete misuse of the platform that Costas has been provided. Fairness and journalism without agenda obviously have no meaning to Costas.

We applaud Bonds for standing up to this Napoleonic bully.

Costas' motives are transparent. He wraps himself in some sort of cover, promoting the false pretense that he is a guardian of the integrity of the game.

Bonds sees through it. The "midget" remark makes it all clear.

Costas' is just envious of the Adonis like body Bonds has built through scientific nutrition and cutting edge training.

This is simply a case of a little man's self-loathing.

It's a shame that it has ruined objective journalism.

One Of These Things Is Not Like The Other...

Let's play a little game.

There are several autographed baseballs for sale on this link.

Without looking at the names of the player, try and guess which one is signed by the Yankees' melanin rich Robinson Cano.

Shef: The Strength to Speak Out

Some say that for top athletes, the bottom line is the pay check. The million dollar athlete is more concerned with his mansion, fleet of cars, jewelry and all the other accoutrements of the jet setting life style that fame and fortune can bring.

Love of the game and an enlightened perspective on the world they live in are lost.

One athlete that deserves applause and respect for having the courage and integrity to place his own need for justice and fairness above the dollar signs is Gary Sheffield.

Shef has long taken heat for being outspoken. For telling it like it is. For having the compunction to put realness ahead of a pay check. His allegiance to self truth has cost him dearly. Management at many of his employers have had it out for him. Fans only get the "media's" reformed opinion of what he says. The context of his statements is reduced to sound bites. He is portrayed as angry and disagreeable.

The angry Negro. Unappreciative of all he has been "given".

Well, we are here to tell you. Shef is painted as such in an effort to marginalize the truths that he habitually unveils. Shef is portrayed as the bitter, angry Negro by MLB and the media in an effort to get the public to turn their collective backs on him and not listen to what he has to say.

Angry and disagreeable? Unappreciative of what he has been "given"? How about serious and contemplative. And so grateful for his blessings his hard work has led to that he feels the need to try to bring truth to baseball to make things better for the next generation. How about that?

Now, in an effort to bring to light the inner demons of the Yankee clubhouse and possibly lead to healing for the individuals that have been disrespected and abused over the years, Shef has said things that people simple don't want to hear. It isn't even about believing what he says. No one is questioning the veracity of his perspective. Essentially, the response is "oh, it's that angry Sheffield, tell him to quite down."

Thankfully, Sheffield has reached a status in the game that he can't be silenced. The truth can't be muted by disingenuous attempts to deflect his unquestionably accurate perspective of his take on events.

"Black players had an issue with Joe Torre," Sheffield said in the interview with HBO. "They weren't treated like everybody else. Even I got called out in a couple of meetings that I thought was unfair."

This is inarguable. Every word is completely true.

Sheffield is a Negro player. If he and another Negro player had a problem with Torre, then it is completely reasonable for Shef to say that Negro players had an issue with Torre. If Shef felt that Torre treated him unfairly, then Torre did.

This isn't about Joe Torre. This isn't about racism. Shef even said he didn't think Torre was racist. So those in the media trying to continue this abhorrent depiction of Shef as the angry Negro casually calling everyone a racist are simply wrong.

This is about the need for baseball to exam the way it treats Negro players. It is about the need for baseball to understand that it is not the intention of the action, but the perception of the action that matters. Did Torre willfully intend to slight Shef? Did he intend to treat Shef differently? Did he even actually treat Shef differently? Probably not. But that doesn't matter.

Shef felt as a Negro he was treated differently. That is indisputable. You can't argue how Shef felt. You can't say, "no, Shef, you don't feel as if Torre treats Negroes differently." And that is all that matters.

"When you're hearing from your manager that they should have gotten Vladimir Guerrero, that's disrespectful, but nobody ever came to my defense and said it was."

Imagine. You show up to a new employer, and all your supervisor does is talk about the guy he'd rather have in your place. That is the type of thing that could cause a sensitive man like Sheffield to get down on himself and question his self worth. That is the type of thing that can break a man. And, when the rest of the organization does nothing to defend the new employee/player, it leave that individual feeling like he is alone in this new world. And, throw in the final factor: The manager and the organization are white. The individual being disrespected and shown no support is Negro. What conclusion can one come to other than Negroes are treated differently? There is no other logical conclusion.

"I had a lot of one-on-ones with Joe," he continued. "I don't just jump to a conclusion on every issue. When he called me out in meetings, I tried to take a positive out of it. I talked it over with my wife and she said maybe he was doing it to make me an example for everyone else. I told her she might be right.
"But when it hit the papers, that he called me out in meetings, then it's a different ballgame and that's what happened."

And that is when it became clear to Shef that this wasn't simply about trying to improve the team. It was about disrespecting Sheffield and treating him, as a Negro, differently.

Sheffield has taken a lot of heat over the years for his willingness to quickly leave a team and move on to the next high paying situation. Has anyone every considered that it isn't about the money. That it is completely about respect and Sheffield's continuous search for a situation in which he won't perceive that he is being treated differently because he is a Negro? That, his short stays and constantly changing teams is a quest for acceptance and a continued fight for the acceptance of Negro players in MLB?

We are so quick to laugh and belittle players when they hold out or complain about contracts. Especially when they say "this isn't about money, this is about respect".

Until you have been a Negro, belittled by Joe Torre in front of the mostly white Yankees, you will never understand how true it is.

And we wonder why the Negro community is losing interest in baseball.

Yankee Great Reggie Jackson: Disrespected by Hotel

The New York Yankees have probably the richest history of any pro sports franchise. And a roster of alumns that does double duty in Cooperstown. From the likes of the Babe and Gehrig, to Whitey Ford and Yogi and Joe D ,to the Mick and the Scooter, to Craig Nettles and Thurman and Catfish, to Goose Gossage and "Lousianna Lightning".

And Reggie. Reggie Jackson.

But apparently, while fans will hold the likes of Yogi and the Babe, et al, dear to their hearts; Reggie is but a distant memory. The championship he brought the city, long forgotten. The memory of his majestic three home run barrage against the Dodgers evoking nothing but a quizzical, "huh?".

Recently, Reggie came back to visit the city that he helped revive after over a decade of baseball mediocrity. And his reception was less than enthusiastic.

The Bronx Bombers' former slugger was in town last week, and guests at the Regency were shocked to see him having an argument with the reception staff over rates. "He was upset about not getting 'the Yankee rate,' " our witness said. Jackson bitterly complained, but the hotel staff held firm and apparently didn't give him the discount.

That's right folks. Mr. October can't get the Yankee discount.

One wonders if his Yankee great predecessors (like Yogi, Scooter, Joe D, Whitey, etc...) ever suffered such indignities. We have never seen reports indicating that they were denied preferential Yankee treatment, so we can only assume that they have never been treated this way.

As the first true Negro superstar of the Yankees, Jackson always engaged in a love/hate relationship with the fans. As would be expected, hit home runs and they love you. Go through the unavoidable droughts that accompany the game, and they hate you. The same story every Negro athlete can tell.

Certainly, there is little doubt here:

Whitey would never be denied the Yankee discount.




(Ed. A few of our knowledgeable readers emailed us asking why we didn't mention Elston Howard as a Negro Yankee superstar. Ask people to list Yankee greats. Most, save for those intimate with the game, don't mention Howard. While he was a great, for some reason, he hasn't gone down as legendary. Thanks for the emails, tho.)

Elijah Dukes: Lacking Role Models

While Elijah Dukes has been undergoing counselling to help him deal with the issues that caused him to momentarily lose his cool and leave a message that some might choose to interpret as "threatening" on his estranged wife's voicemail; the revelation that a young woman is carrying his child has again put this contemplative young man at the top of the story line.

Understand that it makes no difference if an athlete wants to be a role model, or not. The fact that they are constantly in the news and that their behavior is so closely reported mandates that they ARE role models. So, when impressionable and maturing young people read about and see the lifestyles of star athletes, often they make the mistake of emulating them.

Particularly if the impressionable minds are the minds of young athletes.

Duke is a young man. An immature man. No one can argue this. Certainly, he bears some of the blame for his misbehavior. But, just as certainly, there is enough blame to go around. We've touched in the past on how the Devil Rays let Elijah down. But, we certainly can't blame the team in this latest incident.

We blame the role models. And the media.

Athletes have a responsibility to provide a worthwhile and solid example for the up and coming young athletes. And the media should be reporting these examples.

Instead, the media harps on the questionable. Extols the negative. Values the borderline moral. And, young Elijah, his values skewered and shaped by the media, walks astray.

For months and months we've seen the sports and entertainment media glorifying the out of wedlock procreation of Tom Brady, Matt Leinhart and even Brian Urlacher. Pasting stories about these men and their womanizing on the web, in print and on the TV screen.

Is it any wonder that young Elijah followed their lead? Is it surprising that Elijah was led to believe that this is how star athletes live their lives?

Unfortunately for Elijah, he is now finding out that only certain athletes get to live life like this. Only certain athletes get the media equivalent of a pat on the back for filling the bellies of single women with babies.

Other athletes, instead of getting the Page 6 treatment and congratulations for the pending nativities, get lines like the following in their stories:

Tampa police said no criminal charges will be filed against Dukes, 22, because state law allows adults between 18 and 23 to have consensual sex with 16- and 17-year-olds.

Yep. While Brady and Leinhart get kudos and hand shakes, Elijah gets a lesson in Florida statutes. Being unbiased, it's hard not to believe that prosecutors weren't just searching for the chance to charge Dukes.

Also, lost in all this: The likes of Brady and Leinhart have NO history as fathers. None. Yet, we assume because of certain criteria, that they will be wonderful fathers. The media doesn't question their qualifications or wonder if they are fit.

Yet, there is a concern that Elijah will be a good father to this child.

Records indicate that Dukes is a fit father. He is credited with having 5 children. With 4 different mothers. Two of those children are even with his current wife. Brady, Leinhart and Urlacher can't even make the claim of having children with a current spouse. Yet, we choose to hold young Dukes under the scope and let these men off the hook.

Dukes doesn't even get credit for his passion about fatherhood.

When she told Dukes in March that she was pregnant, "he got mad and threw a Gatorade at me," the teenager said in the report.

Perhaps, Dukes estranged wife summed it up best:

"You're married and you're having sex with strangers? It's disgusting," Gilbert said. "Do you even know what a condom is?"

We asked a question along the same lines a few months ago.

Until young people are presented with positive role models who understand that children are a responsibility, we are destined to read tales exactly like Elijah Dukes'.

Let's not pretend it's so uncommon. And let's not pretend we don't understand the root cause.

Baseball's Biggest Issue

Without compare, the most talked about issue in baseball this season is the diminishing number of Negroes in the big leagues. You can't read a sports page without some mention or question of why.


The Atlanta Braves have even reorganized their executive hierarchy in an effort to find the root cause and implement preventive measures to correct the problems they find within their own organization.


Recognized as the leading voice of knowledge and respected for our common sense approach to teaching about this topic, we feel more than comfortable in shedding righteousness on this issue and pointing the clamoring masses to the real answers.

The Negro athlete long ago took over the NBA. The Negro athlete long ago took over the NFL. These are sports that require an athleticism that is superior to the requirements of baseball. To excel on the court or the gridiron, one must possess a unique power and explosiveness. Baseball players don't normally require these same attributes. Now, certainly some players DO possess them, but one can not intelligently argue that the athleticism necessary on the diamond is in anyway comparable to that required in the NBA or NFL.

Accepting this fact, it becomes clear: The white athlete hoping to make it in a major sport can really only pin his hopes on baseball.

Ten years ago, baseball went through a renaissance. The summer time duel between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire reinvigorated the game. It put baseball back squarely on the map. It created heroes and rekindled the romance between America and its past time.

A few years later, Barry Bonds attacked the home run record that McGwire set.

And the death knell of the Negro ballplayer was sounded.

Barry is inarguably the greatest player to step onto the field. His abilities can not be challenged. Forget color. Forget race. Barry transcended all that and should have been allowed to take baseball to a higher plane. He should have been allowed to provide the spark to ignite the fire in young Negroes to pick up a glove and be the next Barry. Just like Mike did for basketball. Or TO has done for football.

But, if that had happened, we'd be watching nothing but dark Latino faces and darker Negro faces on Baseball Tonight. And the white athlete would have been pushed to the fringes of all three major sports.

So, instead of Barry being deified and leading the next wave of Negro ballplayers. He was demonized. And his figurative crucifixion ended up essentially turning an entire generation of Negro athletes off to baseball.

It's certainly not surprising. Youths watched Sosa and McGwire treated as heroes. Everyday on the news. Presented as upstanding and wonderful people. Embraced by the nation as they measured homer run after home run.

Then, when it was Barry's turn to chase history, his personality was presented as difficult. His image was painted with a dirty brush and unclean strokes, not the clear and crisp strokes used to artfully present McGwire or Sosa.

During McGwire's run, when the question of steroids came up, it was deflected with talk of androstene and poo pooed to the side. Barry, on the other hand was put under the scope and his body was seemingly measured from every angle and compared with a skinny, young Barry from years and years ago to insinuate heavy PED usage.

Barry cheerfully reminded us that he didn't start lifting weights and hadn't instituted a nutritional program until he was in his 30's. For most players, such an explanation would have cleared the air and led to a fun season. But, Barry being who and what he was, it led to an inquisition.

Certainly, the mainstream media's relentless pursuit of steroid allegations against Barry (despite his NEVER testing positive) demonstrates the lengths to which white America is willing to go to ensure that MLB holds a majority of roster spots for white players.

The message is clear to Negro athletes: Play baseball at your own peril. Rise to the top of the game, and you will be attacked in the media, in the courts and even on the field.

And, we are clearly seeing the message hit home. Negroes have received the message loud and clear and are steering clear of the game. If the media, baseball and the government can cause such destruction in the life of the greatest player of all time, imagine what they can do to an up an comer with no name brand recognition?

Baseball, insidiously and gleefully, has tried to blame the Negro community for having a "lack of interest" in the sport. And in turn, have tried to claim this so called "lack of interest" as the reason for the dwindling number of Negroes in the game.

In all honestly, it's a brilliant redirection of the issue. And now, in an effort to "bury the body", so to speak, baseball is pretending to try to address the problem by encouraging teams to do what the Braves have done.

If baseball really wanted to correct the "problem" of a "lack of interest" by Negroes, the solution is simple.

Celebrate Barry Bonds. Put him on the pedestal that baseball puts its other greats. That would send the message to young Negroes that, if they come into the game, they don't have to live in fear of being destroyed. That if they decide to focus their efforts and energy on the sport of baseball and they excel, they will be loved and glorified.

There is no "lack of interest" in baseball on the part of Negroes.

There is simply fear.

Fear of being destroyed for being too good.

Just like Barry.

Some Support For Sheffield

We took some email and comment heat for posting about Gary Sheffield's comments on his thoughts as to why there aren't more Negroes in MLB.

And, obviously, Sheffield has taken some heat.

Well, seems now Shef is getting some support for speaking his mind about his experience in baseball.

Tigers shortstop Carlos Guillen said Tuesday that he agrees with teammate Gary Sheffield's recently published assertions on black and Latin players. "I'm happy he said it," Guillen said. "I'm glad somebody spoke up."

Sheffield also further clarified his remarks about "controlling" Latin players.

"Every Latin player, you can't control 'em," Sheffield said. "I'm just saying from a whole grand scheme of things. They have more to lose than we do. You can send them back across the island. You can't send us back. We're already here."

Guillen agreed completely with what Shef had to say.

"I left my country to come here and to make money and play baseball," Guillen said. "I left my school because I wanted to play baseball here. In my first year, in rookie league, I hurt my elbow and I played DH," he said. "In my first at-bat, I hit a double, and I missed first base. I was out, and they screamed at me." (He declined to say who did the screaming but hinted it was his coaches.) I didn't know what to say. If I had said anything, they would have sent me home. I was afraid to talk. That happens to every Latin player. They are afraid to talk."

Unfortunately, the mainstream media chose to report Shef a bit out of context and without clarification. Seemingly in an attempt to stir things up and paint Shef as a racist.

Despite the controversy, we commend Shef on having the courage to speak up on behalf of Latin players. Proving that Shef is about helping ALL his fellow players improve their quality of life.

Shef: The Perfect Mentor

If you follow baseball, you are probably aware of the troubles that have followed misunderstood Devil Rays' player Elijah Dukes.

Dukes has suffered through some difficult times, the latest being a turbulent marriage encumbered with domestic disputes and accusations of threats.

In an effort to help young Dukes, veteran player Gary Sheffield has reached out to act as a mentor or guide.

Sheffield would seem to be a perfect fit to help young Dukes through this troubling time, as Sheffield has a unique and logical approach to life. And an intimate understanding of what is going on in the world of baseball.

Folks have been documenting and addressing the fact that their is a noticeable decrease in roster spots for African-American players in recent years. This alarming decrease has been investigated and many possible reasons have been purported.

To find the real and obvious reasons, sometimes we overlook the best sources. How about the input of a long time Negro player?

What does Sheffield have to say about the dwindling number of African-Americans in the big leagues?

"I called it years ago. What I called is that you're going to see more black faces, but there ain't no English going to be coming out. … [It's about] being able to tell [Latin players] what to do -- being able to control them," he told the magazine.

"Where I'm from, you can't control us. You might get a guy to do it that way for a while because he wants to benefit, but in the end, he is going to go back to being who he is. And that's a person that you're going to talk to with respect, you're going to talk to like a man.

"These are the things my race demands. So, if you're equally good as this Latin player, guess who's going to get sent home? I know a lot of players that are home now can outplay a lot of these guys."

Sheffield is saying the things that others are afraid to say.

We hope that the wisdom he imparts on young Dukes is effective in helping Dukes adjust to life in the big leagues.

And, if it isn't, and Dukes ends up at home. At least now we will have a better insight as to why.

It all comes down to control.

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.

Atlanta Braves: Not Enough Negro Players

Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, Rev Jesse Jackson's organization, has not been satisfied with the amount of Negro players in Major League Baseball. Particularly the lack of such players on the roster of the Atlanta Braves.

The director of sports operations for Rainbow/PUSH, Dexter Clinkscale, along with Southeast Regional Director Joe Beasley, was able to help convince the Braves to meet with reps of the organization to discuss this troubling situation.

Beasley said Monday afternoon, "I think it was a lack of diligence on the part of the Braves to recruit African-American players. There's not diminished enthusiasm for African-Americans playing baseball. It's simply the opportunity hasn't presented itself."

And we couldn't agree more. Rather than focusing their efforts on simply fielding the best team they can, the Braves should be focusing their efforts on tapping into that undiminished enthusiasm for baseball within the Negro community.

There was a time, not long ago, when the Braves roster boasted several Negro players. One wonders what might have happened. Rainbow/PUSH academically points out that their is no diminished interest in baseball within the Negro community. Clearly, this would indicate that the pool of young Negro players to draw from is as large as ever. And, if the pool of Negro players is as strong as ever; well, that would leave only one explanation as to why the Braves don't have more Negroes on the roster: racism.

In response to some of the criticism levied by Rainbow/PUSH, Braves general manager John Schuerholz said: "You go to where the talent leads you. Finding major league-caliber baseball players is far too difficult if you try to narrow your criteria down to demographics."

The implication being that the Braves would prefer to narrow the criteria down to talent. This is an all too typical sentiment when dealing with the plantation mentality of the team owners and their slave bosses. Forget about the fact that Atlanta is a city with a very high concentration of Negroes. Search elsewhere for "talent" to fill out your roster.

Countered Beasley, "As I expected, [Schuerholz?s] idea is the bottom line: I'll put the best 40 men I can get wherever I can get them from on the field, and that's fair. But the fact of the matter is if they put resources into recruiting here in the United States, and more specifically here in Atlanta, there are talented players here."

Rainbow/PUSH already unequivocally demonstrated, by making their statement, that there is NO diminished interest in baseball within the Negro community. Clearly, the ownership doesn't understand their responsibilities. The Braves' are operating under the flawed mentality that it is in their interest to please their fans by bringing in the best talent they can find. Regardless of where the talent originates or what color skin.

In a perfect world, this might be fine. But doing so doesn't take into consideration a very important factor. The name of the team is the Atlanta Braves. Atlanta. By using the city's name, the team assumes the responsibility of ensuring that, before they go off to the Caribbean or Latin America looking for talent, they scour Atlanta high and low for the talent to fill out their roster. We've established that Atlanta has a large Negro population. And we've established that, and it is proven by Rainbow/PUSH's statement, there is NO diminished enthusiasm for baseball within that Negro community. It only makes sense that, if the Braves would follow this suggested manner of acquiring talent, the result would be a swelling of Negroes on the roster.

"You slipped down to nothing, now you've got one, we expect it to start going up higher," Beasley said was the sentiment he voiced in the meeting. "We want to see incrementally it move back up, rather than moving down. There was an openness on [Schuerholz's] part to talk and to be in dialogue and hopefully be in partnership in trying to make sure that it happens. He was very nice, a gentleman. I'm going to hold him to his word to work with us and move those numbers back up to a respectable level."

At the time of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson, the Braves had no Negro players on the roster. In an effort to shield themselves from the blinding light of righteous indignation, the Braves called up a Negro outfielder (Willie Harris), who just happened to be from Robinson's home town. Such a transparent act of patronization is the sort of thing that sets race relations back 100 years.

Some will wonder what business Rainbow/PUSH has in setting the agenda of how MLB teams conduct their scouting and talent evaluations. Frankly, it seems natural. As stated earlier in this post, Rainbow/PUSH has a director of sports operations. It only makes sense that he use his title to operate sports.

An additional benefit is the experience and success Rainbow/PUSH has had in influencing and setting the agenda in other industries. Look no further than radio. Think the Imus situation could have been handled so effectively and seamlessly without the input of Rainbow/PUSH? And, do you think all the honest and fruitful dialogue and town hall type discussions that took place afterwards would have ever come about and led to the myriad of improvements that have been established?

On a side note: Andruw Jones had no comment on the Braves having no Negroes on the roster.