Photo Credit: rumbunter.com; Feb. 21, 2014
In a nice cross-section of serendipity, determination and a little help from good folks along the way, Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen (that is, Senior Editor of Derek Jeter’s media platform for professional athletes called The Player’s Tribune) lays out his thoughts and experience in an intriguing and well-thought assessment of how baseball has increasingly frozen out children (and potential talent) from lower income families. It’s a great read…
It does put a different slant on the Jackie Robinson West thing. Yes, the rule was broken and they probably should lose the title, but I'd rather have those kids playing baseball than lose them to gang membership.
I know. In fact, the Jackie West incident is really just another case of the same kids being victimized. They did what they were supposed to do; their coaches and local LL administrators let them down.
[1] it truly bothers me though that most people commenting on it place the blame for that situation primarily on the kids; as if the kids organized the whole thing and the coaches, league executive and parents just facilitated the plan on their behalf because "they're just scummy adults living vicariously through them". Just because children nowadays are largely exposed to the grownup world with help of the Internet does not automatically mean they are masterminds at bending rules that allow them entry into economically exclusive pastimes.
But, as a smart man said when we discussed it offline, people will believe what they want.
Oh, and by the way, more fucking snow in New England this weekend. Although it looks like it will be quite a bit less than predicted -- I think the storm is mostly staying over the ocean. I bet the Cape will get creamed.
[3] Yeah.
[4] I feel for you. We got hammered here last year, broke the record for winter snow by a foot. Tomorrow we're not expected to get above zero degrees -- Fahrenheit.
Stay warm.
[0] Great article. I had not heard about the LLWS or JRW. As my main man Dave Zirin said, the urban policies put in place in Chicago by Rahm Emanuel make it harder and harder to sustain local, inner city baseball..land = real estate = $$$$ after all..
Hard to build players in VT. -16 here today. UVM doesn't even have a baseball team, anymore.
[8] They used to have that wonderful indoor facility. I guess they use it for something else now.
Andy.
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25070169/yankees-to-retire-no-46-in-honor-of-andy-pettitte
[10] Excellent. Hope he goes in the HoF. His postseason is the equivelant of another season and his winning percentage, against all good teams, is higher than his regular season's.
Weeping is verklempt.
10) Andy was great for the Yanks. I still don't know why they've passed over Willie Randolph and Ron Guidry.
Aren't they going to run out of uniform numbers soon?
Whoa, it's a blitz!
Bernie, Jorgie, and Andy.
( [12] And yes, RI. C'est le mot juste.)
[13] Willie's getting a plaque!
[17] Yes! I saw that!
[14] [17] They are at the point of making the plaques less meaningful, while the retired numbers thing has become ridiculous.
Joe Torre's number should not be retired. In fact, managers wearing numbers is just silly. And who wants to see an "89" on the baseball field?
"Now pitching for the Yankees, Number 97, Luis Severino, Number 97."
[0] Great article. Excellent points in there. Thanks for sharing.
Hmmm, but "Senior Editor" titles at the Player's Tribune are as lousy as "VP" titles in finance.
Professional titles are devoid of meaning anymore. We can't call ourselves Major Leaguers, but Derek Jeter calls anyone who writes for his site a "Senior Editor." Gimme a break.