Ozzie Smith, Black College Baseball World Series Addresses the Dearth of Black Players on MLB Rosters
HOUSTON — The finest in Black collegiate baseball has been displayed at the 2023 Black College Baseball World Series with teams from Division II and NAIA baseball programs. Still, Alabama native and Baseball Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith is championing for Major League Baseball to include more black players to be represented in the game he loved.
"I think one of the problems that we've had is getting young African American players back in the game," Ozzie Smith stated. "When I was playing, a high percentage of African American players played the game. And since, all the attention has been directed at the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Part of that problem is that here in the States, sometimes there's so much red tape to go through. Whereas, over in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, they can set up camps over there and start recruiting these kids at a very young age."
August 8, 2018; St. Louis, MO, USA; MLB hall of famer Ozzie Smith speaks in a press conference to honor Smith as the 100th PGA Championship Host City Champion during the Wednesday practice round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Bellerive Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The dearth of African American baseball players in Major League Baseball should be a significant cause for concern. Unfortunately, it hasn't raised any alarm. According to the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, Black Americans were 7.2% of the opening day rosters in the MLB - which is a decrease of 0.4% in 2021. The more troubling news is that "between 2012 and 2021, the first round of the MLB Draft featured 56 Black or African American players out of 319 selections (17.5%)." Unfortunately, only two baseball student-athletes from HBCUs were chosen in the 2021 MLB Draft and none in 2022. The most drafted players in the recent drafts were the seven chosen in 2019.
The numbers for Players of Color — encompassing Black Hispanics or Latinos and African Americans — have slightly climbed from 37.6% in 2021 to 38% in 2022. However, on opening day in 2017, Players of Color comprised 42.5% of the MLB 25-man rosters.
Tyson Foods hopes to bring more African American baseball players back to major league baseball by starting a partnership with Black College Baseball World Series in 2022. "This event will help further elevate HBCU baseball on the national stage. We're grateful for the commitment of our partners and sponsors who support our vision," Michael Coker, executive director of Black College Baseball Championships, said.
Young black baseball players in high schools and colleges may face challenges related to culture and representation. Unfortunately, there has been little progress in terms of increasing the number of black managers, coaches, and executives in the MLB. The Houston Astros organization has found success with African American manager Dusty Baker winning the 2022 World Series. Recently, Houston hired Dana Brown as its general on Thursday, Jan. 26.
Smith thinks that attracting black players is still difficult due to societal challenges despite the current progress. "If we look at the quick gratification that kids get through watching LeBron James. Those guys who make it to the show [basketball] and make it relatively quick," Smith noted. "This relationship with Tyson starts a process by which we can hopefully get more African Americans to play the game. By bringing this recognition, we have to take your hat off to Tyson for making this type of commitment. Because making this commitment being the big corporation they are, I think it'll catch the eyes of other corporations. Hopefully, they will get on board, and we'll get more African American players playing."
Ozzie Smith will work with Tyson Foods to introduce and open the eyes of young talented athletes in America's black communities to the game of baseball. We need more legendary players like the "Wizard of Oz" to contribute their time and efforts to make a significant impact at local schools, events, community centers, and parks.
A community career fair, food bank drive, and counseling centers were established for the games' attendees and Montgomery, Alabama citizens.
The 2023 Black College Baseball World Series Championship game, presented by Tyson Foods, will pit Florida Memorial against Albany State inside Riverwalk Park at 5 PM CT on Saturday, May 13. Guardians will sponsor the Home Run Derby slated for 2 PM CT.