The Astros are addressing the issue. Just because they aren't openly supporting the Houston RBI program, doesn't mean they aren't doing other things. What has the city told you when you have asked them why they (city of Houston) aren't doing more?
I agree that this discussion is insane. However, the RBI is not crap. It's awesome. It is not, however, about curing the ills of racism in baseball (as our friend above is poorly misrepresenting it). It is about getting the greatest game back into the hands of some great kids who otherwise couldn't afford it. Notice that statement said nothing about race. The RBI Foundation is *not* about race, it's about reaching out to a community in the inner city and connecting them with a great game. A great game that will teach kids some great things, and will eat up at least some time otherwise given to the vices and ills prevalent in the inner city. The RBI Foundation is awesome. The whiny posts above are not.
I have to disagree with that.The perception that baseball requires a greater financial investment than any other sport has nothing to do with it.My people have been playing beisbol with a milk carton as a glove and broom sticks serving as bats .......It is simple,the passion for the sport isn't there. As for Señor willy T's departure,It is an outrage.I loved his hustle.He will be missed dearly......
Geez, I didn't know what I was doing was whining. Whining is complaining about something insignificant and then not doing anything about it, but I actually have. I don't want your praise or congratulations, I just wanted to share my experience. To some here it may seem insignificant but for those who've never been involved in this kind of program you're underestimating it. You go to Harlem and then tell me that such a program isn't the only thing keeping these kids out of trouble. Ask Lastings Milledge from the Mets, Carl Crawford from the Devil Rays. I don't expect the Astros to use all of the profits to help organizations like this. I agree that it goes beyond baseball organizations and it is not there entire responsibility. But if you're going to sit here and talk about racism in baseball being irrelevant to larger problems like Rwanda then you don't know what you're talking about. Latent racism even in baseball contributes to racial issues like Rwanda. If we have a responsibility to intervene in Rwanda or Sudan or anywhere in Africa then everybody has a responsibility, especially those with resources (ala Astros) to do something about racism at home. Drayton McClane may or may not be a Racist, but my opinion that he's prejudice is a perception. A perception based off of my background, etc. where I have seen real racism. You'll never be able to see the world through another man's eyes. You can disagree with me, but you can't tell me I'm wrong. It's hard to tell though, after all who knew that Michael Richards and Mel Gibson were bigots. Nonetheless, MSN I appreciate your words about the RBI organization. I agree that RBI is not about race. But RBI is about "Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities", and when involved with inner-city kids you undoubtedly will be involved with "race". I also never claimed that RBI was the savior and end all be all to worldwide racism. But in the context of helping youth's in the inner-city it is a great start. It is also a great way to get African Americans in the game, as well as push educational excellence. There should be more programs like it all over.
How many Jews do they have? Chinese? Any muslims? Is this a joke? Dumbest thread ever. This is as bad as that moronic rabbi complaining about the xmas decorations in seattle
And at the start of the 2006 season, this number was LESS THAN 80 throughout the entire major league 40 man rosters.
Really? I've been to both inner cities and to the scenes of genocides. I've talked to people in MLB and hugged orphaned children in genocide-ravaged nations. Have you? What????? Many of the people in Rwanda have never *HEARD* of baseball! The conflict there is centuries OLDER than baseball!! You make a statement like this, and then you tell me *I* don't know what I'm talking about? You hear that "thud" sound--it was your credibility hitting rock bottom. Who said we have that responsibility? I didn't. I said I've seen it first hand. Pitching fits and moaning about the Astros not having an African-American ballplayer and calling that racism is ludicrous in the face of the real racism that still happens in the world today. Dumbass statements like ones you've made make light of the very real tragedy of the actual racism that still happens. Imagine telling that orphan, "I understand kid. I was pretty pissed when the Astros released Preston Wilson." It's a *game* man. A game.
No, you just don't understand. Ricky Bennett is a racist. Al Pedrique is a racist. J.D. Elliby is a racist. Enos Cabell is a racist. Larry Stokes is a racist. Tim Purpura is a racist. There is no denying this.
Sorry. Playing the race card does that to me. We're so utterly ignorant in America when we think racism is black v. white or white v. hispanic, etc. I've seen caucasian people hating one another as bad or worse than anything we've ever had here in America (and I know our past is sordid and horrible). In Rwanda, the only differences really are the height and the shape of the nose. So here are the Astros, in a market where African-Americans are more interested in basketball and football. They do their best to put together a solid team, and people call them "racist". Look, if you *really* want to investigate as to whether the Astros are "racist", then on the field is the wrong place to look--because on the field those guys can make me money. Instead, look in the offices, scouting departments, and coaching ranks. If well-qualified minorities are being passed over for less-qualified European-Americans, then *that* is racism. All this other bull**** whining you see here is just that. Bull****.
But if a kid wants to make a serious run at baseball...he needs more than a milk carton and a broomstick. I read an article about this very issue, about how inner city youth aren't that interested in baseball because of the costs associated with it, for one. Wish I could remember where the article came from though. In any case, a kid who wants to try out for the basketball team would need a 15 dollar basketball to practice with at any public gym. A kid wantin to try out for a baseball team would need AT LEAST a 40-50 dollar glove.
I have to agree with conquistador. If it was the financial aspect that kept it out then it wouldn't be so popular in the dirt poor areas of latin america. you don't get on a team because of the price of your glove, and if you did as an inner city kid you'd still be competing with other inner city kids, not with kids more financially well off. More likely its the dearth of baseball fields or lots big enough to play ball on that keep the numbers down, combined with the un-hippity hopness of baseball in comparison to basketball. Claiming the 'stros are racist is just silly.
Well were not really talking about Latin America...at least I'm not...I'm focusing on the lack of popularity among urban youths in the US. And of course I don't think it's the only factor, but it's certainly one of them. Yeah the price of your glove won't determine whether you make the team or not, but if you are serious about baseball, you're going to have to spend more and invest in more equipment than if you were getting into basketball...or soccer. But of course, any creative individual can find a way to play any sport without spending money.
how dark is that ascencio kid we got? if he is darker than willy then this thread stupid. if he is lighter then the astros are clearly racists that are trying to whitewash their team.
I want MORE American Indians in baseball...I am tired of all the Whites, Blacks, Japanese, and Latin Americans. I want my people represented.....Sac and Fox baby !!!! Wait a minute, gotta take this call.... "Yeah, uh-huh, we are making more money in Casinos than playing athletics, oh-ok" Um....after consulting with my Shaman.....never mind, and wanna bet? DD
Yea last year preston wilson was the only black player in the lineup, but he was way off in chemistry. maybe its just that white players get along better. by the way...I am kidding (i'm also not white )
