Cincinnati rethinks Schott

Marge Schott’s slurs and other offensive comments while she owned the Cincinnati Reds have organizations in her hometown reconsidering the use of her name on facilities that benefited from her donations.

Schott died in 2004, but her name is still prominent in the community. Most of her estate went to a foundation that funds a wide range of philanthropic ventures. Her name is featured on many facilities, from the Cincinnati Zoo to a baseball stadium on the campus of the University of Cincinnati.

Calls for racial justice after George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis have renewed questions about how to remember Schott, who ultimately was ousted by Major League Baseball over her slurs and praise for Adolf Hitler. A Catholic high school this week became the first to remove her name from facilities.

More baseball

While Major League Baseball and the affiliated minor leagues are shut down, an independent circuit is set to open July 3 with some fans in the seats. The American Association said its six teams will play in three hubs due to the coronavirus, at least at the start of the season. All three home teams are in position to sell about 25% to 33% of their ballpark’s capacities. A 60-game regular season is envisioned through Sept. 10.

Pro football

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, who worked out Saturday in an “I can’t breathe” T-shirt, unequivocally stated that he will kneel during the national anthem this season in protest of social injustice and racism.

Fencing

St. John’s University fired an assistant coach for racist remarks in a video posted to social media. Boris Vaksman was recorded saying that the “majority” of blacks are troublemakers because “they don’t want to work,” and steal, do drugs and kill. Vaksman, a native of Ukraine who has served as a coach for the United States junior national team, also said on the video that President Abraham Lincoln “made a mistake” when he helped end slavery in 1863 with the Emancipation Proclamation.