Gary Sheffield knows why African-Americans are disappearing from MLB

Interesting development in this story. Sheff follows up on his comments and Guillen adds his two cents. Apparently someone agrees, at least on some level with Sheffield. Here's a link (if it works).

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/SPORTS02/706060408/1098/COL17

 

Why was there a problem when I alluded to this from the stuck on one word crowd? Or will we see some Guillen bashing in this thread saying that he doesn't know what he's talking about either?

 

Gary Sheffield is so necessary.

If Gary did not EXPERIENCE RACISM, Gary couldn't speak of it.

For some of you idiots to disagree with what he has experiences shows your lack of intelligence.

 

Did anyone hear anything?

 

Why can't you just acknowledge that while there is absolutely a point here worth discussing, Sheffield's comments were still inappropriate because of the offensive way he put them?

I understand that it may have been more a matter of being ignorant or inarticulate. But that doesn't change the flaws in what he had to say.

And the "one word" argument is bullshit. There are plenty of explosive words that can have a powerful impact all by their lonesome, no matter what surrounds them. Some are profane. Some are just inflammatory.

 

What needs to change is your focus on one word rather than gauging the overall body of his commentary.

I'm a son of two immigrants. And because of their status, they're much more "compliant" than myself.

Get over it. You're completely aware of what Gary meant, yet you're still stuck on the lone flaw surrounding a few callous words.


Props to the writer who decided to look deeper and ask Ozzie about Sheff's remarks.

Someone is actually doing their job.

 

Why can't we focus on both?

That's the point I keep making and you keep ignoring. I'm not dismissing his comments at all or the issue involved. I'm saying he did a piss-poor job of it and his remarks were offensive. Just because he raised an important issue does not mean he gets a pass on offending people. And yes, we absolutely need to be asking other players, coaches and managers and front-office people about it.

It's not just one word. He provided context, talking about how black players may play along for a while, but eventually they will do what they want (I'm paraphrasing and I don't have the comments in front of me at the moment). Honestly, I'm not sure that paints black players in a particularly good light, either.

Bottom line: The issue of the decline in black players in MLB is worth talking about and looking into. But somebody other than Sheffield needs to lead the charge. He has proven himself incapable of articulating the points that need to be made.

 

It was Carlos. Not Ozzie.

 

True, though somebody did ask Ozzie about it, too. He came out against Sheff, I think, but I only heard about the response quickly on the radio yesterday so I can't be sure.

 

Because I have little interest in playing PC police over a couple of words that shouldn't be said. Wacking Sheff over the knuckles for one or two callous words is minor when viewing the topic at hand.

I've moved on from "who", "what", and "when" something was said unlike yourself and would rather focus on "why" it was mentioned, "where" have these things taken place, and "how" it should be addressed.

You know....making the rounds as a journalist? But then again, I question if some in here carry those qualities. They seem to disappear when it comes to someone they don't like.

 

More evidence that you are full of shit.

Again, insisting that anybody who has a problem with Sheffield's comments must do it out of dislike for the man rather than legitimate issues with what he said. It is legitimate to disagree with his point. It is legitimate to say that he actually hurt his cause by offending people while making his statements. Those are points worth discussing as well.

And again, you insist anyone who doesn't pursue this focusing only on the issue of the decline in the numbers of American-born black players in MLB and ignoring the offensive part of Sheffield's comments is lacking as a journalist. There are two issues here and a good journalist has the skills to pursue them both, not just the one you wish they would pursue.

 

Anyone who "persistently" points out a problem with one or two words rather than moving into further discourse has a problem with that person.

How many times have you said you're not over it? Move on bruh.