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July 25, 2008 10:21:37 PM CDT

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Black Players Drop to 8.2 Percent of Major Leaguers

Posted Apr 16, 08 1:29 AM CDT in Sports 

(Newser) – Major League Baseball received its best grade for racial diversity in hiring, even as the percentage of black players dropped again last year. MLB received its first A- for race Tuesday from Richard Lapchick, director of the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports. Its grade was B+ in last year's study.

Among major leaguers, though, just 8.2 percent were black players, down from 8.4 percent in 2006 and the lowest level in at least two decades. "I'm very disappointed by that fact," said Rachel Robinson, the widow of Jackie Robinson. "Competition from other sports is certainly a big factor, but they're many factors. We've got to work on it in terms of getting younger children playing.”

Source Associated Press

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Philadelphia Phillies' Ryan Howard, right foreground, follows through on his eighth-inning solo home run off New York Mets reliever Aaron Heilman (not shown) in their baseball game at Shea Stadium.   (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Los Angeles Angels' Torii Hunter, right, celebrates with teammate Howie Kendrick after Hunter hit a solo home run in the seventh inning of their 5-4 win over the Minnesota Twims in baseball game.   (AP Photo/Andy King)
Detroit Tigers designated hitter Gary Sheffield rounds third base after hitting a two-run home run against the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning of a Grapefruit League spring training baseball game.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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MLB  • baseball  • race  • African-Americans  • diversity  • Jackie Robinson


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