Robinson’s daughter says black players reluctant to speak out
Jackie Robinson’s daughter thinks black baseball players are more reluctant to speak publicly about racial issues than their NFL and NBA colleagues because they constitute a lower percentage of rosters.
Sharon Robinson spoke at Citi Field in New York on Sunday to mark Jackie Robinson Day, the 71st anniversary of her father breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
All major-league players, including the Giants and A’s, wore No. 42 on the uniforms Sunday.
More than 200 NFL players protested racial inequality last season by kneeling or sitting during the national anthem, but A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell was the only baseball player to take a knee.
“I don’t think they have much choice,” Sharon Robinson said of baseball players. “They are in the minority and where in football and basketball, you have a group and therefore you can take a group action.”
The percentage of black players from the United States and Canada on Opening Day rosters was 8.4.
MLB goes to Puerto Rico:
Hiram Bithorn’s statue is no longer standing. The stadium bearing his name is ready to bustle again.
That’s an apt way to show how things are in Puerto Rico, which is about to host its most significant sporting events since Hurricane Maria ravaged the islands seven months ago. Major League Baseball returns Tuesday to San Juan, with Cleveland and Minnesota opening a two-game series that many hope will remind the rest of the world that recovery from the storm is far from over.
“I hate to say it, but this is a great platform, so people can see the reality,” said Boston manager Alex Cora, a native Puerto Rican. “We’re much better than six, seven months ago, whenever it was. But we’ve still got work to do.”
“People are still suffering over there,” Houston shortstop Carlos Correa, who hails from Puerto Rico, said Sunday. “And to be able to bring baseball, the sport that we love the most, back to my hometown — it’s going to be amazing.”
No go in Boston:
The OriolesRed Sox series finale, scheduled for Monday morning at Fenway Park as part of Patriots’ Day festivities in New England, was postponed until May 17.
Because it is a yearly tradition, the Red Sox attempt to play the game through weather problems. But with the forecast calling for nearly a 100 percent chance of rain throughout the day, the team decided Sunday against trying to play.
It is the first time a Patriots’ Day game has been postponed since 1984.
Injury report:
Tampa Bay center fielder Kevin Kiermaier left a game against Philadelphia after one inning Sunday with a sprained right thumb and appears headed to the disabled list. He was injured while sliding into second base and will have an MRI exam Monday. “I don’t think the odds are in my favor, to be quite honest,” Kiermaier said . ... Arizona right-hander Taijuan Walker was put on the 10-day DL with inflammation of the right forearm. He came out of a start Saturday after two innings with discomfort and will undergo an MRI exam Monday. “I woke up, it felt good, same as yesterday, didn’t get any worse,” Walker told MLB.com. “I feel really good about it. Everything feels strong in there; just going to go on the DL just to be cautious.”... Dodgers infielder Logan Forsythe went on the DL with right shoulder inflammation . ... Pittsburgh second baseman Josh Harrison will undergo further evaluation Monday after leaving the game at Miami after he was hit on the left hand by a 96 mph fastball from Jose Ureña . ... Milwaukee first baseman Eric Thames left a game against the Mets after aggravating a muscle issue in his left leg . ... Texas pitcher Tim Lincecum, who has a blister issue, was moved from the 10-day DL to the 60-day DL, which means he won’t be able to join the Rangers before May 28.