By John W. Lillpop
Baseball legend Hank Aaron gained fame and fortune with quick, powerful wrists and precise timing which enabled him to react to a baseball hurled at 100 MPH, often crushing the ball out of the park. In 1974, Aaron broke the home run record of Babe Ruth; Aaron’s record has since been supplanted by Barry Bonds with a big assist from steroids.
Regrettably, Aaron took his eye off the ball recently to engage in a bit of race-baiting against Republicans.
As reported:
The firestorm erupted after 80-year-old Aaron, the senior vice president of the Braves, said in an interview with USA Today that America today is "not that far removed" from the racial intolerance of the mid-20th century.
On the 40th anniversary of his home-run record, he said, "Sure, this country has a black president, but when you look at a black president, President Obama is left with his foot stuck in the mud from all of the Republicans with the way he's treated. The bigger difference is that back then they had hoods. Now they have neckties and starched shirts."
Referring to current race relations in the country, he added, "We have moved in the right direction, and there have been improvements. But we still have a long ways to go in the country."
To prove his point, Aaron cited the decrease in U.S.-born black baseball players as evidence of modern-day structural racism.
There are only 67 black players in the major leagues, with three teams not represented by a single African-American player: the San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks and St. Louis Cardinals, according to USA Today.”So, Republicans are responsible for the fact that there are only 67 black players in the big leagues, and that the number of blacks has decreased?
And it’s OK to blame the GOP for the fact that the San Francisco Giants, with a long and stories history of employing black superstars such as Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, et al., has no black players on its roster at the present time?
Shame on you, John Boehner and Mitch McConnell!
Just where is black Attorney General, Eric Holder, when you need him? Covering up his complicity in the IRS scandal, or attacking Voter ID laws and other measures taken to prevent voter fraud?
Let Aaron’s cry be a Clarion call to Holder and the US Congress: We must have an investigation to determine why there only 67 black players in baseball!
Let guilty GOP members be perk- walked off the floors of the US House and Senate to send a strong message: Having only 67 black ball players in the big leagues is unacceptable and possibly unconstitutional. These human rights violations may require black president Barack Obama to issue Executive Orders to bring equality and justice to America’s past time!
Perhaps Holder and Barack could also take a cursory look at the National Basketball Association where blacks represent 90 % of the affiliated players? Or would that be racist?
Comments
There's a logical explanation to why Black's are increasing their numbers in football and basketball, but not baseball. Black teenagers find available basketball courts for pick-up games in neighborhoods that are near public parks and schools. And any amount of players can play a pick-up game, from one-on-one, to a regular 5 on 5 game. But, with baseball, it's hard to get 18 players together for a full-fledged game. If you have only, say, 6 per team, the batter can just hit to a field that's absent that player. Plus, it's harder to find available baseball fields than basketball courts. Plus, baseball requires the purchase of a lot of equipment, whereas basketball requires only the big orange ball.
But to say that there's anything racist about this subject is absurd.
Well, with that said, why don't we just turn over all sports to black athletes. Obviously, they're just so much better at it that white athletes. I will now take my tongue out of my cheek and ask Mr Aaron to go see "42" which is one of the best movies I've seen in a while. There may be some white racists out there, but today, it would appear people of color, black Americans, African Americans, whatever they wish to be called are the ones with the problem unless Hank would like them to rule the world. Hard to tell from his stance. I hope when I reach his age, and that's not too far off, I will have the common sense to keep my mouth shut (that probably won't happen) unless I have something of worth to offer.
I thought cow farts was racist.
For shame for shame on you Hank Aarons. It's people like you that cause all of the problems between the younger blacks and whites of todays' age...It's a good thing that respect doesn't weigh much for it it did, I would need a cast on my leg right now for it all dropped out of me for you and your kind when I saw what you were doing to ruin what little improvement we'd made on racial harmony. Between you and the present administration all of the advancement that we made in the 60's through the early 2000's has dissipated with the mannerisms that you and our administration have displayed of late. You owe the US of A a major sized apology.
Jim Petersen
Hey Hank, let's use your quota system in all sports and get more Whites in basketball & football.
Don't forget that their only weapon is race. They have been discredited, therefore, they have no choice but to call us "raciiiiiiiiiiiiiiists".
Aaron, while being a great ballplayer, is out of step. I guess black athlete's have turned more to football and basketball instead of baseball. Saying it's unconstitutional is crazy.
Don't know, maybe they are all 'shooting hoops'.
If Mr. Aaron feels that way, from his lofty-well-paid-executive position in one of America's most popular sports/pastimes -- then he can move to any one of the black nations and see just how well they treat the black man/woman there. Genocide is their main pastime !!
America and the Republicans have done more for the black community than any nation in history.
Where was his mention of 19th century America when white went to war against white to end slavery and bring freedom to the black? A president was killed over that ( as well as his wanting to establish a financial system to benefit Americans ).
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