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Washington Post ^ | October 27, 2005 | Jorge Arangure Jr
HOUSTON, Oct. 26 -- The Houston Astros are the first World Series team since the 1953 New York Yankees without an African American player on their active roster. That troubles all-time home run king Hank Aaron, who said Wednesday that the Astros need to make an effort to sign African American players.
"It is very disturbing to see something like this," Aaron said. "And you would think that this ballclub could find at least one or two African Americans, especially in this city. It's very disturbing. I think they need to look at that very carefully. They need to talk to people in the scouting department and everybody else because this needs to be addressed."
Only 9 percent of players on major league rosters on Opening Day were African American. Outfielders Terrmel Sledge and J.J. Davis were the only African American players on the Washington Nationals' Opening Day roster. The Baltimore Orioles had none.
"That's part of it because the numbers aren't there," Aaron said. "We don't have enough players. But I think each club needs to look at that carefully. The Astros need to address that. It's a thing where the way the game is played today you would think there is no excuse for an African American not to be on this club."
Aaron was in Houston to present Atlanta Braves outfielder Andruw Jones and Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz with the Hank Aaron Award as the most outstanding offensive performers in each league.
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Com'on Hank, I'm sure there's much bigger fish to fry than this.
HOUSTON, Oct. 26 -- The Houston Astros are the first World Series team since the 1953 New York Yankees without an African American player on their active roster. That troubles all-time home run king Hank Aaron, who said Wednesday that the Astros need to make an effort to sign African American players.
"It is very disturbing to see something like this," Aaron said. "And you would think that this ballclub could find at least one or two African Americans, especially in this city. It's very disturbing. I think they need to look at that very carefully. They need to talk to people in the scouting department and everybody else because this needs to be addressed."
Only 9 percent of players on major league rosters on Opening Day were African American. Outfielders Terrmel Sledge and J.J. Davis were the only African American players on the Washington Nationals' Opening Day roster. The Baltimore Orioles had none.
"That's part of it because the numbers aren't there," Aaron said. "We don't have enough players. But I think each club needs to look at that carefully. The Astros need to address that. It's a thing where the way the game is played today you would think there is no excuse for an African American not to be on this club."
Aaron was in Houston to present Atlanta Braves outfielder Andruw Jones and Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz with the Hank Aaron Award as the most outstanding offensive performers in each league.
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Com'on Hank, I'm sure there's much bigger fish to fry than this.
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