Today marks the celebration of Jackie Robinson Day across MLB, but there is worry that if Black representation in the league is already “painfully low” after MLB’s various diversity initiatives, cutbacks in its Diversity Pipeline Program could lead “to less minority representation among clubs,” according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY. MLB recently scrubbed references to diversity on its careers web page, while also erasing details on its Diversity Pipeline Program, “adhering to President Donald Trump’s executive orders” on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. MLB’s opening-day rosters consisted of 27.8% foreign-born players, and Black representation increased for the first time since 2018 to 6% after being just 5.7% last season -- which was the lowest since 1955. The league has “no plans to scrap its development programs and initiatives.” MLB “may have changed some of the titles, but the goal remains the same.” Former MLBer and former White Sox EVP Ken Williams said, “I don’t think in my conversations with people (in the Commissioner’s office) that there’s an interest in anything going away.” Former MLBer and former D-backs GM Dave Stewart said, “If you look at the Commissioner’s Office itself, you can honestly say it has more color than it used to have 10 years ago. ... The problem is the industry as a whole has not taken the leadership and example of the commissioner and taken that into their own organization” (USA TODAY, 4/15).
WALKING A TIGHTROPE: In D.C., Michael Lee writes as baseball leads its annual celebration of “the most iconic symbol of integration, much of what Robinson stood and fought for has felt under attack.” MLB “insists its commitment to ensuring all kinds of candidates receive opportunities is unchanged,” but it “will not risk a lawsuit -- or put its many Republican donor owners under White House scrutiny -- to do it” (WASHINGTON POST, 4/15).
REMEMBERING WHAT MATTERS: In terms of celebrating Jackie Robinson Day, MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds will report from The Jackie Robinson Museum in N.Y. on the MLB Tonight: National Pregame Show at 5pm ET. As part of the MLB Tonight coverage from Studio 42, Reynolds will interview five MLB Develops alumni – who are now all Division 1 baseball players and wear # 42 in honor of Robinson -- including Georgia P Alton Davis II, Grand Canyon SS Troy Sanders, Vanderbilt CF RJ Austin, Texas C Oliver Service and Louisville CF Eddie King Jr. (MLB Network).
