Dominicans in baseball | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 hidden)
I agree with Hunter. (none / 0)
First, let me state that Torii Hunter is probably the most underrated player in baseball. Defensively he is undoubtedly the best centerfielder in the game -- even at his "old" age of mid thirties. He makes the plays that Ken Griffey, Jr. made when he was in his prime, but unfortunately he doesn't have nearly the same offensive numbers.

When I read your "impostor" comment-- without description-- I immediately researched it further because I thought that I knew instantly what he was saying. My assumption was right, and I agree with him. Where the hell are the AMERICAN blacks in baseball, and why the hell is there a revolving door of central and south Americans who are as talented as American blacks and whites? As Cenk would say, "the moooonneeeeyyy, Lebowski!"

But of course Selig will force him to apologize for his factual statement soon.

by FlaccidMember on 03/16/2010 01:49:03 AM EST

American blacks (none / 0)
I think its probably unwise to assume that Dominicans are replacing American blacks, but now that you mention it I think that this was implied during the movie I mentioned in my post, and was certainly implied by Torii Hunter in his comments. The fact that there are so few american blacks in baseball is due to lack of interest in the black community, not outsourcing to dominicans. Its absurd on its face when you think about it, but I guess its natural for people to jump to that conclusion, because its just the way our brains work. Dominicans are a cheap source of labor that compete with ALL domestic baseball players, regardless of skin color. I bet that they have two effects: 1) its harder for domestic players to get into the majors and 2) those that do make it have higher salaries than they would if second-tier players were all American. An alternative possibility is that the Dominican (and other imports) players suppress wages. It would be interesting to hear from an economist about this. Ironically, if my theory is correct, Torii Hunter ought to shut his trap and hope for more Dominicans.

by hazmat on 03/16/2010 12:06:51 PM EST

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Dominicans in baseball | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 hidden)