Tuesday, August 06, 2013

The whitening of the Red Sox

This post is an observation and poses questions. It will not be my purpose to consider any grand schemes or impart any incrimination. But it is an observation that has been sticking in my brain for quite a while now. The local baseball channel here in Maine is the Red Sox (NESN). As such, I watch a lot of their games. And this observation is from what I see. Oh, I see a very good team. I see a very close-knit team. I see a team that could win a World Series. I also see a very white team.

According to 2012 statistics, 61.2 percent of the players in baseball were white, 27.3 percent were Latino, 8.8 percent were African-American and 1.9 percent were Asian (minute percentages of other such as Hawaiian, etc.).

On the current Red Sox 25-man roster, 19 of the players are white or 76 percent. Three are Latino or 12 percent. Two are Asian or 8 percent and there are no African-Americans. And the Red Sox have one native Hawaiian.

Of the 43 total players that have worn the Red Sox uniform this season, 31 have been white (72%), 8 have been Latino (18.6%), one (Jackie Bradley) has been African-American (2.3%), two have been Asian (4.6%) and one has been Hawaiian.

Both the 25-man roster and the totality of the players who have played for the Red Sox in 2013 skew more white than the Major League norms.

To compare that to last year when the Red Sox used 56 total players, 60.7% were white, 25% were Latino, 7.1% were African-American and 5.3% were Asian. In 2011, the percentages were 63.2% white, 18.3% Latino, 8.2% African-American and 4.1% Asian out of 49 players.

On just about any typical night this season, the Red Sox lineup includes all white guys, one Hawaiian (Shane Victorino) and David Ortiz. Four of the rotation's five starters are white. The recent subtraction of Jose Iglesias exacerbated that skew.

2011 and 2012 were much closer to the relative norms according to racial demographics in baseball. Both seasons ended in disappointment for the team. This year, a high emphasis was placed on chemistry when putting together the roster. Is it a coincidence that such an emphasis ended up with a predominately white team? I am just asking the question. You tell me.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dude, you seriously have too much time on your hands. All humans are the same regardless of the color of skin. No way or form was Cherington or the Sox front office thinking about race when assembling this team. Go bury your head in a hole where it belongs. Oh wait, you live in Maine, you are already in a hole.

William J. Tasker said...

Congrats, "dude," for not just insulting me but an entire state. Well done and thanks for the comment. And I do agree about your statement about all humans. And that is why we have to ask tough questions once in a while.

Anonymous said...

If you run a chi square analysis you'll find that there is not a difference between the sox and the rest of the league.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Tasker imho I agree with the "Dude"! Your article and it's title "The whitening of the Red Sox" are both insulting and inflammatory and far from the whole story. Had you considered the minors due up soon the the story with your facts and figures would dramatically change. Papi is one of the most iconic figures in Boston. Your skewed writing only serves to recast Boston in an earlier light. Tough question? Sorry Mr. Tasker your massaging of ancient history was anything but a tough question.

Anonymous said...

Please check the composition of the other teams that are leading their divisions - perhaps the Dodgers are successful because they have proportionally more Hispanics and perhaps the Braves are successful because they have more African Americans, etc. It probably doesn't make sense to you tree huggers in Maine - but in business and sports which is a business -- you would trade your mother if you could get someone better - regardless of skin color. That's why white people are disproportionally represented in the NBA. Why don't you and Al Sharpton take on a useful project and report back like counting the different colors of socks in your drawers.

William J. Tasker said...

Interesting comments. I will contemplate your collective thoughts. It was an observation and a question, not an indictment.

Bucky said...

William,
Not an indictment? Seriously? Or course it is....

Pure and simple, this is a race baiting article, which makes you, what?

DSmith said...

Way to go to make a non-event into a potential problem. Why stir things up like this just t make a name for yourself?

Anonymous said...

I cannot belive anyone would try to figure out how many players are white no one cares...
I Like Papi I liked Iggy and sorry they traded him but happy to have Peavy.. is that a race issue?? Be real Id welcome the OLD Arod on this team. Race doesnt count Manny was awesome for a while him leaving had nothing to do with race...

Anonymous said...

Check the surnames of all the players just suspended

Anonymous said...

I've heard more about "race"in the last 6 mos than I have in my previous 67 years. How about the best young players, just maybe, might not be as good. Don't give up your day job.

Anonymous said...

funny, I was watching the Celtics a while back and thought huh?, where are all the white boys at??
get a grip slick...SH!T happens,..I tell you what Call John Henry and B!tch him out for being a racist billionaire and darken up the roster !!!
WHO FREAKIN CARES !?!?!?!

Anonymous said...

I find to be one of the dumbest articles in recent memory. Who cares, other than maybe Al Sharpton,how many black players are on the team. If you look around MLB, you will see a drop-off in black players in general. Black athletes don't want to play baseball. it takes too long to get to the big show. Their athletic ability will be better-utilized in the NBA or NFL. Regardless, any team sport is about winning. If nine Amish guys were good, they would be on the team.

Anonymous said...

What! No Navajo players? Jacoby Ellsbury may be startled to hear that!

Anonymous said...

My IQ actually went down having read that "article". I'm also as disappointed that this nonsense made MSN's homepage! I have my views on the equality of human beings regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, ect. but that isn't the issue here. I'm no member of their front office but I think it's safe to say that the Red Sox, along with every other professional sports franchise, is in the business of winning Championships, not discriminating. For those fellow "Billy Madison" fans out there I'll end with this quote: "Mr. Flagrant Fan, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I've ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response was there anything that could even be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul!".

Anonymous said...

(Silky johnson)
If u ppl don't wanna accept da truth stfu and let the facts speak for themselves. .red sox r racists period...name one elite black free agent they have signed or tried to sign?...computer still computing