The number of Black Knights in the 2019 All-Star game declined from last year.
The MLB All-Star game starters and reserves were announced this week and there’s just not enough soul filling the whole event.
In 2018 seven African-American players — six outfielders and one pitcher — were named 2018 MLB All-Stars. Mookie Betts, Aaron Judge, Matt Kemp, and Lorenzo Cain were all starters.
This season, the number of Black Knights participating dropped by one and the number of starters slipped as well. The National League showed no love to the brothers as the American League provided five of the six players selected.
Houston Astros’ George Springer and Michael Brantley are the lone African-American starters this season. 2018 American League MVP Betts is back but as a reserve. Toronto Blue Jays ace Marcus Stroman is the lone African-American pitcher to make the All-Star cut.
The full 2019 MLB All Star rosters! pic.twitter.com/8hmEm1zdTR
— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) June 30, 2019
The National League, known for producing some of the greatest African-American ballers in MLB history, embarrassingly, has just one African-American player on its roster. Pittsburgh’s slugging first baseman Josh Bell will start for the NL at DH. There were no other Black NL starters.
This is troubling considering the energy and efforts MLB has invested in diversifying the game and providing young African-Americans with the tools, guidance, affording training and showcase opportunities needed to get drafted.
Darryl Strawberry pays a visit to the #BreakthroughSeries! 👏 pic.twitter.com/piInv0SEO3
— MLBDevelops (@MLBDevelops) June 24, 2019
Also, considering the number of Black players being drafted is increasing every season, the fact that they still aren’t being represented among baseball’s best pro players is a confusing situation for black baseball.
Perennial All-Stars such as Lorenzo Cain didn’t make it. Fan favorite Aaron Judge’s injuries have kept him off the field and therefore out of contention for an All-Star bid.
Of the brothers who should be there, the most egregious omission is Tim Anderson, one of the most exciting players in the game and among the elite shortstops.
From the first crack of the bat this season Anderson has been doing his thing and his, .317 batting average, 11 homers and 15 steals should have been enough. His style of play is the essence of Black baseball and it’s disappointing that he can’t represent in Cleveland on July 9.
