I wonder how meaningful a study this is anymore. The number of Latins, (of various hues) and Asians in major league baseball has pretty much ensured an ethnically diverse pool of players-maybe the greater focus should be on the number of minorities in positions of power, (i.e. managers, general managers, etc)

I think the use of the terms "African-American" and "Black" in the discussion about this study is a little misleading.

While Adam Jones may be the only U.S.-born player of African descent (i.e. "African-American") on the Orioles roster, there are other players on the roster who are also (presumably) of African descent: Melvin Mora, Alfredo Simon, Felix Pie.

I'm not one to bean-count, but MLB has experienced a large influx of players from Latin America and the Caribbean in recent years, and many of these players are of African descent.

And if you factor in the number of Asian-born players, you'll find that there are a great number of MLB players of all races who are NOT U.S.-born (i.e. "American").

So perhaps the study should be more concerned about the ratio of "African-American" players to "American" players than the ratio of African-American players to ALL MLB players.

I am a fan of baseball and I am surprised! I am really surprised. I did not know that Adam Jones is the only black player on the Orioles roster. I didn’t even think about it. Not in the least. And that is good! I was born in 1945 and was raised in segregated America. During the 50s and 60s we took great issue to the fact that this major league team had one black player, or that team had two black players. Much was made (and rightly so) of the fact that the Boston Red Sox had no black players on their team. I goes to show how much our thinking has changed and how much progress we have made as a society. The change in thinking is evident all around us. But particularly, I see the change in myself.

Execellent post, Larry G! I was born in 1964 and, while I didn't experience
segregation, my parents did go. And, yes, our society has changed for the better, but we're not there yet. As for increasing the number of Blacks in MLB, Baseball lost a generation of kids to basketball and football. I think MLB is making an effort to get black kids involved in Little League and rec leagues. I think the biggest problem is lack of safe places to play. Cities aren't putting the money into maintaining playing fields. And a lack of imagination by the kids. My friends and I would play baseball, catch, "curveball" on our street, on the vacant lot that was the parking lot for the old minorleague Orioles stadium on 29th street (now a McDonald's), on the asphalt playground at Barclay Elementary, we'd walk to the Dell at Wyman Park or over to City College to play on grass. We'd play baseball all day long, all summer long! Now, kids would rather play X-Box or Playstation.

The Orioles have done a very poor job of maintaining US born African-American players. I can remember when Eddie Murray was the only one on the team and I can also remember when there were no AA players on the team. What bothers me is that the Orioles did not retain AA players who subsequently did better while they brought in or retained players not doing so well who were of European descent. There seemed to be a double standard of expectations. A most recent example was Jay Gibbons who continued to be on this team while Garry Matthews, Jerry Hairston and probably a few I can't remember were let go. We let Payton and Patterson go. Ironically, a white fan pointed this out at the recent fanfest as well as the fact that this city talks more about B. Robinson and Ripken and not enough about F. Robinson, Murray, Paul Blair and others. Why has it taken this long to have a T-bone Shelby as one of our coaches? Baltimoreans and media would be the last to admit that something strange has been going on with the racial make-up of this team and its coaching staff. Despite this, I was a Jr. Oriole and subscribed to a mini plan at Memorial Stadium and am now a season ticket holder. However, I still have concerns about this.

Emjay,

I think the reason this city talks about B. Robinson and Ripken more than F. Robinson, Murray, and Blair is because B. Robinson and Ripken spent their entire careers with the Orioles, while the others you mentioned spent some time with other organizations. Not to discredit those players, as they were all good players, and F. Robinson and Murray even have their numbers retired with the Orioles, but as an Oriole fan I think you show more gratitude to players who were able to play their whole careers here. I know that it's not always up to the player as to where they play, but that's just part of the business of major league baseball.

Are we seriously talking about this? Its not like at major league tryouts or spring trainings there is a sign that says" Open try out's today except for african american's".

Lets put the shoe on the other foot. How come there isnt a study on the amount of caucassian players in the NBA?

There was another study in golf about black golfers. ESPN did a segment and had a black golf coach from an all black school who hadnt had one of his players make the PGA tour in 25 years of his coaching. One of his players only needed to sink his final putt to earn his tour card. He missed. Who's fault is that? First of all if your a college coach and not one of your players turn pro after 25 years then you need to be fired. Second, did you ever think there was a lack of talent?

Your surroundings have probably the most influence on which sports you get involved in. Canadians play hockey, kids from the suburbs play baseball,city kids play basketball and football. Europeans play soccer. In your hosuehold what sports do your siblings play? What sports maybe did your parents play? Those are the sports kids are gonna play. Every person has equal chance to play any sport they want,race has nothing to do with it. Thats just how it is and thats the way its always going to be.

I have a simple question for everyone:

(Please take race out of it when answering this question)

Who are you gonna talk about more?

A hall of fame player born and raised in your hometown state OR a hall of fame player that left your team twice AND played for 5 other teams in their career?

I rest my case.

When will we stop identifying people by the color of their skin instead of by the content of their character or, for baseball players, the quality of their work?