04/24/24
August 23, 2003
Empty Handed.: Former Negro League players and their families face difficult times without an MLB pension or royalties from sales of Negro League apparel. (long, minor WashPost registration required)
posted by Mookieproof to baseball at 11:53 AM - 5 comments
It's amazing to me that current ballplayers and/or the Union wouldn't step in and create a fund that would take care of these men's (and their wives) hospital bills. The Union could rake less than 1% of salaries and make it happen. I wonder how many current major leaguers had fathers, grandfathers, uncles, great uncles, etc. who played in the Negro Leagues. This is a tragedy that could be pretty easily fixed.
posted by vito90 at 09:36 AM on August 25, 2003
Truly sad. That said, it is difficult to try to correct the wrong from a legal/technical angle. Negro Leagues are a defunct league that has no legal connection with MLB. Seperate entities. To support Negro League players and families would be charitable, yes, but isn't obligated by any current standard. Still it would be a smooth PR move and frankly would be just plain nice to see. I wouldn't hold my breath though. I think it would also take far less than 1% of salaries. A-Rod could do it himself. We're not manufacturing millionaires, here. Do minor leaguers get a pension? I don't know.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 04:23 PM on August 25, 2003
Negro Leagues are a defunct league that has no legal connection with MLB. Technically true but the Negro Leagues only existed at all because of racial discrimination. One would think that most of their players would have had a decent shot at major or top minor league ball otherwise. And how many of these guys are still alive that the cost would be more than a couple of quarters rubbed together?
posted by billsaysthis at 05:42 PM on August 25, 2003
Exactly Billy - five years from now will be too late. There are only som many ex-players left. However, While the Negro Leagues existed because of racism - so did countless other businesses and organizations that aren't given the attention that the NL gets. Unions, trades and entire operations suffered the same origin and eventually the same fate becuase society started to integrate. Perhaps it is an unfortuante side-effect of a society that started to grow up and heal. Just another way of looking at it, maybe.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:19 AM on August 26, 2003
Fits well with the panel held yesterday here at San Jose State regarding state of minority hiring in NCAA football. Pretty sad when ADs and GMs can get away with statements like "We hired the guy we were more comfortable with" Or as Grambling coach Doug Williams said he knew Michigan State "was just a token interview. But when I read in the paper that the Kentucky athletic director said he felt more comfortable with his hire, I asked, How would he be able to become comfortable with me? We don't go to the same church, we don't interact."