Tue 17 Apr 2007
American-born black players vanishing from baseball scene (Chicago Tribune)
Posted by Editor under Media/EntertainmentMICHAEL HIRSLEY, Chicago Tribune
Sixty years ago, Jackie Robinson stepped out of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ clubhouse and became the first African-American on a modern major-league baseball field, pushing open the door for scores of talented black players to follow.But even as many of today’s current stars acknowledged the anniversary by wearing Robinson’s officially retired No. 42, fewer and fewer African-American athletes are embracing the game Robinson’s efforts made available to them.
The scores of black players who originally followed in Robinson’s footsteps have dwindled to a trickle.