Recently, Rob propounded a very valid question:
LA has one black player, yet he is not “Home Grown “.
Why is that, for a MLB club that takes pride in Jackie Robinson ?
It’s 2025, for gosh sakes.
That is a very good and very valid question.
One of the few MLB teams that use DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) as a mantra is the Los Angeles Dodgers. In fact, DEI is a category on their website, and the Dodgers are THE ONLY TEAM in MLB who have that category in the Main Menu of their website.
Magic Johnson is a 2.3% owner of the Dodgers with a $50 Million Investment and the Dodgers also brought in Billy Jean King and her partner as owners. It is not known what the level of her investment is, but I would think it is much less than Magic Johnsons’ investment. Billie Jean King’s net worth is estimated at around $20 Million, while Magic is worth $1.5 Billion.
Mark Walter did not need their money. He brought them in to demonstrate the Dodgers’ diversity, equality, and inclusion. That is his right, and the Dodgers seem to have a very deep need to highlight DEI. On the Dodger’s website, they also have a category called LADF, which means The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, which builds Dodgers Dreamfields to give families in neighborhoods across Los Angeles safe havens and points of pride. The addition of revitalized baseball and softball fields contributes to existing green spaces, promotes physical activity, and increases opportunities for play in underserved communities.
To date, they have spent over $21.3 million building 63 Dodgers Dreamfields and have plans to complete an additional 12 fields to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Dodgers’ move to Los Angeles in 2033. These Dreamfields are designed to support youth baseball from ages 5 through high school.
Is it working? It doesn’t seem so… yet! MLB has struggled to attract and retain Black American players for several reasons, many of which are rooted in historical, economic, and cultural factors. Here are some of the key reasons:
1. Decline in Accessibility and Cost
- Expensive Youth Programs: Unlike football and basketball, which can be played with minimal equipment and in urban areas, baseball requires expensive gear, travel teams, and showcases.
- Pay-to-Play System: Travel baseball, which has become the main pipeline for development, often costs thousands of dollars, pricing out lower-income families.
- Limited Access to Fields: In many urban areas where Black communities reside, well-maintained baseball fields are scarce, making it harder for kids to play casually.
2. Shift in Cultural Preferences
- Basketball and Football’s Dominance: Many young Black athletes are more drawn to basketball and football, where they see more representation, cultural connection, and quicker paths to financial success.
- Lack of Star Representation: While MLB has legendary Black players in its history (Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Ken Griffey Jr.), today’s biggest stars tend to be Latino or White, reducing the sport’s appeal in Black communities.
3. Lengthy and Risky Path to the Majors
- Minor League Grind: Unlike football and basketball, where players can jump to the pros right out of college (or even high school in the past for basketball), baseball requires years in the minor leagues with low pay and uncertainty.
- Delayed Financial Rewards: An NFL or NBA first-round pick gets a multimillion-dollar contract right away. In MLB, even top draft picks often spend years in the minors before earning big money.
4. MLB’s Marketing and Outreach Issues
- Failure to Connect with Black Culture: The NBA and NFL have embraced hip-hop, fashion, and cultural icons, whereas MLB has remained more traditional.
- Lack of Promotion of Black Stars: Even when there are standout Black players (e.g., Mookie Betts, Tim Anderson), MLB doesn’t market them as aggressively as the NBA does with LeBron James or the NFL with Patrick Mahomes.
- Rigid “Unwritten Rules”: Baseball has historically policed expressions of individuality (e.g., bat flips, celebrations), which can stifle the excitement that resonates more in Black culture.
5. College Baseball Disadvantages
- Few Scholarships: NCAA baseball programs offer fewer scholarships compared to football and basketball, making it less appealing for Black athletes who rely on scholarships to afford college.
- HBCU Baseball Struggles: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have strong football and basketball programs but lack the resources to develop top-tier baseball talent.
6. Decrease in Black Players in MLB Leadership
- Few Black Managers & Executives: Young Black players don’t see many role models in coaching, front-office roles, or ownership. This lack of representation can discourage participation.
What’s MLB Doing to Fix It?
- Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) Program: A grassroots effort to get more Black kids involved in baseball.
- Elite Development Programs: MLB has launched the Breakthrough Series, DREAM Series, and other initiatives to support Black players.
- HBCU & College Support: MLB is working to highlight and support HBCU baseball programs more.
Despite these efforts, MLB still has a long way to go. The sport needs systemic changes in accessibility, marketing, and player development to truly reverse this trend. In 2024, Black players constituted approximately 6.0% of Major League Baseball (MLB) Opening Day rosters, with 57 Black players among the 945 total. This reflects a significant decline from 1991, when Black players made up 18% of MLB rosters. The percentage has continued to decrease over the years, reaching 6.2% in 2023 and 6.0% in 2024.
DEI itself does nothing because playing baseball is merit-based. If you can hit or throw a baseball, you will be signed regardless of your race. In 2024, the demographic composition of Major League Baseball (MLB) players was as follows:
- White: Approximately 57.5%
- Latino: Approximately 32%
In 1999, the demographics were:
- White: Approximately 61.7%
- Latino: Approximately 23.5%
In my opinion, ESPN has also ruined it for black athletes, touchdowns, hard tackles, dunks, and three-pointers are a lot sexier than a double or a strikeout. Digital media has a huge hand in this as many people live their lives one soundbite at a time.
Currently, the Dodgers have two Black players in their Top 30 Prospects, namely Kendall George and Zyhir Hope. I do not see a lot of reasons to believe this will change in the near future… and it’s not just the Dodgers, it’s every team in MLB. I asked ChatGPT this question: “Of the 900 Baseball America TOP 30 prospects on each team, how many are black?” … they could not tell me. MLB is not getting some great athletes and part of the reason is that hitting a 96 MPH baseball with 2,950 SPIN is the hardest thing to do in sports. Ask Michael Jordon.
Doug McKain needs to learn how to transcribe quotes.
,,, among other things. I do give him credit for trying.
DMAC’S the best in the business you watch it!
All good questions.
The main reason, I believe, is athlete choices. If you’re a high school athlete, do you focus on football or basketball, which are where the crowds are or baseball which may draw 50 to a hundred people. Baseball is not where the excitement is in high school. That changes when you reach the majors. The Dodgers are the most popular team in Los Angeles.
I think what you find today is young athletes who choose baseball means focusing on travel ball, which is not only expensive, but time consuming. Poorer families may not be able to afford that.
Very thoughtful and interesting write-up, Mark.
Mookie Betts indeed won’t play in the two games against the Cubs, Roberts confirmed to Bill Plunkett and other reporters today. Betts has lost almost 15 pounds due to his illness, and the Dodgers are considering sending Betts back from Japan so he can fully recover and be ready for the domestic opener.
A couple of take-aways:
1. Losing 15 pounds in a week is no joke. Mookie could start the season in the IL. When you lose that much weight in a short fashion, your body is dehydrated and more subject to sprains and muscle pulls. The IL may be smart!
2. Andy Pages is visibly getting better as a defensive Centerfielder. Outman will go to OKC. CF is Pages job to lose.
3. I see Joey Gallo is going to try pitching. Well, OK – He couldn’t hit… what is there to lose?
Great article. To someone young baseball is dull
Also, there is this: I just saw that Miguel Vargas is hitting .393 this spring with a 1.026 OPS and has just three strikeouts in 28 ABs. As I have always said, “Progress is not linear.” Maybe he will be the hitter I anticipated. He seems to have seized the day at 3B… but it is Spring Training. We shall see what happens. He is a good kid, however.
Talk about no pressure.
I wish him well.
He may yet surpass Andy Laroche.
Actually, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him have a good MLB career.
Our front office didn’t do him any favors by moving him around from one position to the next and the pressure to succeed quickly with the Dodgers is far greater than with the Sox.
Excellent article Mark. Definitely helps put things in perspective.
In terms of the near 10% increase in Hispanic player participation from 1999 to 2024, I wonder how much of that percentage is due to an uptick in non-US born players.
Hopefully Mookie is ready for the opener stateside.
He deserves to be there for the banner raising and ring cermony.
For those who do not know already the World Series Banners (years) at Dodger stadium are all being replaced with new ones…gotta make room for more….
Just my opinion, but I believe most black kids with any kind of athletic ability would rather take the quick way to make money than the tedium of coming up through the minors. There are few Griffey Jr. type players anywhere. 5-tool players like Willie Mays are few and far between. Equipment is expensive, a baseball glove can be well over 100 dollars for a good one. I got my first Spalding glove for 15 dollars in 1963. Then spikes and other needs. Nowadays players need insurance too.
You also have to play travel baseball for the better competition and exposure. My grandson in Scarsdale NY who just turned 12 plays on a travel team and according to my son the cost is $2500. That cost is certaintly out of the question for most families. He loves the game,works hard at it and hopes to play college baseball someday.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I’m tippin a pint to all the Dodger fans out there. But don’t drink to late. Gotta get up early for Opening Day. Because……as the late great Vin Scully started every game……”It’s time for Dodger Baseball ”
Book em
Love it!! Ill be up for the game for sure!!
I wake up at 5am every day and I’ll do the same tomorrow. Will catch up on the game as the morning progresses and hopefully go to work with a win under the belt.
Mookie’s situation is definitely a concern. Mark Walter needs him on a private jet with a doctor by his side and then possibly straight to the hospital. 15 lb. weight loss is no joke. And it’s not like he had a lot of weight to lose.
The Japan trip is really disadvantageous to the Dodgers. 1st, they have the short off season due to playing in the World Series after playing the long season last year with the early Korea start. It was almost like they didn’t have an off-season. I have concerns about the long- term impact it’ll have on the ball club. It is great for the Japanese players on the team and all, but couldn’t it have waited a year? (I guess not with the WBC slated for next year).
Debbie Downer much?
I think it is something to watch.
My wife’s name is Patty and she is a Saint. This day is named after her.
