The baseball players pushing this claim and the people who write about it do not offer enough information to prove a problem.  They quote figures out of context that do not prove anything. Second, they do not show why this would be a social or racial group crisis if the percent of players from this racial group are declining.  

Major League Baseball expanded its recruiting practices during the past thirty years to include many more international players on its rosters. They are about 22 percent of MLB players according to some league statistics. This influx of international players filled roster spots and decreased playing spots for American born players of all skin colors, races and ethnicities. Most discussions about the alleged crisis of the declining percent of the baseball players labeled black in MLB omit this important related information.  

In addition, this change means that MLB now recruits players from a larger population—add the population of every nation that sends players to MLB. So, when players labeled black were 27 percent of MLB in 1974, they were also 13 percent of the American population. So, they played in MLB at twice their percent of the population supplying ballplayers to the league.

In 2007, players labeled black are 9 percent of MLB rosters and probably under 4 percent of the expanded international population competing for roster positions. Nevertheless, their percent in MLB is still double their percent in the international population where MLB now recruits players.  Having more relevant information changes the meaning of statistics. 

Does this mean that MLB players labeled black are not dwindling?  No, they are dwindling if the number of MLB roster positions is the same. However, the problem is how people view the decline and the reasons they give for it.  Young Americans labeled black have no interest in baseball and prefer basketball and football. They have no where to play. Baseball equipment cost too much for their low income families to supply.

Listen and you hear a familiar theme.  Something Americans labeled black do, or don’t do, think or don’t think, spend or do not spend is the cause of some worsening or bad social condition. Here, some people, mostly MLB players labeled black, decided the wholesome sports those youngsters chose is wrong, because it is not baseball. So, they design plans to herd them into baseball.

Americans labeled black can compete to win as many MLB roster spots as possible. But, the reality is that they are now a much smaller percent of the population where MLB recruits players. They cannot realistically expect to be 27 percent of MLB players as before. They are arrogant or probably just uninformed to expect baseball conditions to continue as before favoring their group.  

It is ironic, that some MLB players labeled black cite young people’s ignorance of baseball history for this problem of the groups declining presence in MLB.  However, it is their misunderstanding of history and current affairs that is the problem. MLB players labeled white were 100 percent of the modern era of baseball until Jackie Robinson signed a 1947 contract. So, when baseball players labeled black were 27 percent of MLB in 1974, they earned the positions. However, they earned them at the expense of the white group if one wishes to classify it as a racial group competition as some people wrongly do now. The white group dwindled to 73 percent and now it is in the 64 percent range.   

Americans labeled black battled for change and equal opportunity in sports. They expected to win roster spots by rooting out the established players of average talent labeled white. Having done so, they are now the established players targeted by a new group of warriors. Their numbers too, will dwindle as new talent replaces slightly above average talent in their group. This is the reality of change.

They should stop whining about it and stop trying to characterize it as a racial challenge. It isn't. It is only competition for about 722 well-paid sports positions entertaining the public. The only challenge is for some Americans to mature socially and accept the realities of life.

Kenneth Brooks is a freelance writer and speaker. Contact him at P.O. Box 882, Vallejo, CA 94590. E-mail to: opinion@ethicalego.com.