Another theory on declining % of Blacks in baseball

[Blue Hen]

.....this isn't necessarily my opinion but based on lots of stuff I've been reading.

Aside from the obvious greater attention span necessary to play and enjoy baseball, getting to the major leagues is , in general, a much slower process than getting to the NBA or NFL for gifted athletes. The high 'Skill' levels that baseball requires takes many more years to master.

[Blue Hen]

I guess what they're saying is that gifted Black (or any) athletes can become rich stars more quickly in NBA or NFL than in MLB........or at least some of these athletes might perceive that. They don't see high school kids jumping right into MLB and becoming dominant. It's, generally, a much longer and more intensive 'skill' developing process. So to answer your question, maybe 'instant gratification' is partly what drives some gifted Black athletes toward FB and Hoops. Mastering Baseball takes more time and effort.

[Lincoln Tower]

The whole Jackie Robinson celebration has become less of a baseball thing. At the time baseball was the king, with only boxing close to it. Professional football and basketball were still in the pre-NFL and NBA days. At the time, crossing the color barrier in baseball was huge.

As of now, the NFL is certainly ahead of MLB, and the NBA might be as well. There are so few black players in MLB. MLB is really celebrating his contribution to society more than his current impact on baseball.

Also of note, MLB continues to disregard the impact of Larry Doby. Doby broke in shortly after Robinson, was the first black manager, and was probably a better player. And the it took the veterans committee to get him into the hall. I am not saying that MLB should retire his number everywhere, but he was a pioneer and deserves more recognition than he's gotten.