There is no way the Stros are racist. It's just by chance that most of the players on the team are caucasian. For one reason or another, they just seem to have a farm system that is loaded with caucasian players. Maybe it could be due to the fact that their scouts are more efficient and have better connections and contacts in certain parts of the country. But its not that they disciminate against people of color, its just maybe they don't have many scouts in South America or very good scouts in other parts of the country. Also, we are not minorities, and I do take offense when someone says that. I am not a minority, but a person of color. Just wanted to clear that up.
They are Racist !! The bottom line is that you can't win without Cans: Puerto RiCans, D. RepubliCANS, MexiCans..you get the point....
You appear to keep saying the Astros aren't doing anything with respect to those less fortunate. I already pointed out they are on of the sponsors of a program in California. Locally, have you ever heard of "Grand Slam For Youth Baseball"? Here is their web site: http://www.gsfyb.com/ Also, the team is involved in other charitable work. You seem to be holding the fact that since you think they don't do enough for the local RBI group, then they aren't doing anything to help those in need.
Which makes this thread even MORE comical than it was otherwise. In the past 2 years or so, the Astros have hired/promoted people to the following positions: Director of Player Development (Ricky Bennett) Director of Pro Scouting (JD Elliby) Director of Human Resources (Larry Stokes) Major League Bench Coach (Cecil Cooper) AA Manager (Dave Clark) 2 A-ball coaches (Chuck Carr & Al Linares) 2 Special Assistants to the General Manager (Enos Cabell & Al Pedrique) 2 Regional Scouts (Glen Barker & Jon Storey) 9 of these 11 individuals are black, the other two are Latin. Something like 12 of their last 20 personnel hires have been minorities. Pam Gardner also holds the highest office of any female in pro baseball (and probably in all of professional sports). This thread is ****ing ridiculous. It seems to pop up every year. Stop it.
Uh... I thought you were trying to make a point by mentioning all those gms... I don't know who they are. I thought I was missing something. I guess not. Get a grip.
I never said the astros don't do anything, I just said they could do more. I was refuting the claim that they didn't have a responsibility to help out in their community, which I believe they do. I'll also say you're right that they do get involved, but I feel there is still a gap in relation to African-American youth. I know it's not just the Astros either, I know it's a league wide/social problem. It's still unfortunate though that other programs, like RBI (which is inner-city specific), are not funded. That means corporate sponsors as well. And RBI is a program that's supposedly backed by MLB. Either way there is still a disconnect between baseball and urban America. So with the lack of African-American's on the roster there's still that 'perception' of racism even if the front office is filled with minorities. You can only base judgements off of what you see. I'll give them credit for what they do, but perception is the problem.
Your posts in this thread on urban youth and baseball are excellent. I've worked with a couple of those groups, and it is very hard to get a community involved (it's not just the kids...you have to recruit the parents & get commitments from them as well). Thanks for what you've done, and keep it up. As to your "perception" comment: isn't that more the problem of the perceiver? It's not the Astros fault that some people can't look beyond the players on the field, yet still cry "racism". Having a black player (or 2, or more) on the Astros probably isn't going to change their mind. It didn't last year (PW & Jimmerson). Conventional wisdom" is often flat wrong, but very hard to change.
You missed the irony of a front office heavily comprised of minorities at high levels (having a black Director of Player Development & Director of Scouting, for instance) being accused of racism directed at african-americans. I was merely pointing out the logical conclusion to their train of thought.
Buck thanks and you're probably right that having a few black players on the roster won't change that perception. If anything they'll be viewed as 'token' black players. However, the perception will still exist and I think that baseball as a whole would be better off mending that disconnect I was talking about. And that is what programs like RBI achieve, on top of getting kids off of the streets. As long as that disconnect between urban america and mlb continues there will always be that perception. http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/official_info/community/rbi.jsp Bobrek, this story will show you what I'm talking about. RBI is an MLB initiative that should have more support from the home team. But it's not the end all be all solution either.
No, I didnt miss the irony. That was what I figured you were trying to do. I thought Purpura was part of it, so I asked what ethnicity he was, thinking he may be part hispanic or something. Meh...
