Colorado Rockies Should Be Getting Uncomfortable

Blogger's Update: 

The Rockies signed Matt Kemp four days after this post.

Does that make the situation better...or exactly as suspected?

Ian's Gone, Now What?

It's hard to "think again" on this; it's happening as I type.  Ian Desmond isn't returning, and he left with an Instagram post that merits everyone's attention.  You can see one panel of it below.  This has led me to write something I've been avoiding.  It's difficult to pinpoint.  Baseball doesn't provide some natural means of sifting by race.  Frankly, I don't want to do that.  Still, this whole situation brings up a topic I've been nervous to state in writing:

The Colorado Rockies don't seem to like black players.

I'm going to try to be factual here.  If I'm off, see the comments section.  Smarter people than me know this better.  Obviously, a simple count should be the first order of business.

The first point of evidence is the 40-man roster today.  About 8% of baseball players are black.  Mathematically, you would assume a working hypothesis of 3 (or maybe 4) black players on the roster.  The Rockies have zero as of today.  Ian was half black.

Well, how about the non-roster folks?  Nope.  Nothing.

Coaches?  Wait!  Stu Cole is here!  How is this not "I'm not a racist because I have a black friend?"

Isotopes: Michael Choice.  One.

Yard Goats?  Mylz Jones and, umm, no one.

JetHawks?  Twins:  No one and Nobody.

Tourists?  Derrik Watson

I'm not sure how far down I should go here.  Rosters change by the minute, and some teams have more listed players than allowable roster spots.  I'm just eyeballing roster pictures.  My Microsoft-Excel-Chi-Square-Analysis-Because-I'm-Classy based upon these pictures looks like this:

Group	Multiplier	Roster Size	Expected	Observed	Chi Square
Rockies	0.08	40	3.2	0.5	7.290
Isotopes	0.08	25	2	1	1.000
Yard Goats	0.08	25	2	1	1.000
JetHawks	0.08	25	2	0	4.000
Tourists	0.08	25	2	1	1.000
Coaches	0.08	10	0.8	1	0.040
Non-Roster	0.08	23	1.84	0	3.386
TOTALS		173	13.84	4.5	87.236
CRITICAL VALUE	24.322	p<.001

Short version: There is a less than 1/1000 chance that these numbers are randomly assigned to these groups.  A dispassionate look at the figures indicates a potential issue with the number of black players in the organization (& black coaches).

Second point (for Rockies fans): 

Think back to the last black player the Rockies had.  Keep in mind, Dominicans aren't the same (working question: do they speak Spanish?).  Ian Desmond is half black.  Ignore the melanin count.  And Bud Black doesn't count any more than Charlie Blackmon.  Seriously, who was the last black player that you remember playing for this team?  Do you have any Rockies heroes that are black?

Basing things on a brain-damaged memory, looking back at the last few years, my memory list is pretty short.

LaTroy Hawkins spent almost two years at Mile High.
Chris Nelson was kind of a Rockie during that period.
Dexter Fowler was there.  How did that end?

In the Colorado Rockies All-Time 25 last year, Fowler joined Ellis Burks in the outfield.  Eric Young (Sr.) was listed at second.  Three.  That exceeds the 8% figure.  Sooo...does this mean there is a commitment here--or does it signal the increased level of play needed for a black player to join this team.

Every year, MLB celebrates "Jackie Robinson Day," and to me it sounds like everyone is chanting something like, "See? I'm not racist!"  Wearing BLM jerseys--or anti-racism kneeling before English soccer games--would be nicer if it were met with real, tangible changes in our societies.  Maybe just believable plans would help.  I kept hearing how Ian Desmond was a key reason the Rockies were underperforming.  Well, does this fix anything?  Is there a believable plan for the team?  All of that stuff takes time, I know.  But during this interim, all the t-shirts in the world mean nothing if my favorite team is a racially-biased one.

The Rockies have a deep commitment to leagues in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.  There are reasons and explanations.  I'm missing things, I imagine.  Maybe I'm seeing things that aren't there.  Nevertheless, I didn't find the issue from data--I observed the dearth for years.  Somebody must have said something at some point, yet I've never heard anyone mention this--and I listened pretty closely on Jackie Robinson Day.  Ian has had to handle that interview for a while now. 

I wonder if we'll have another player to answer those same interview questions next year...

...and I wonder if the interview is the only reason that player will be there.

Damn.

Note to the Philippines: Updating an Old Poem (Tagalog Below)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came_..., Public Domain

Poetry can be timeless, even as history repeats itself.  You just have to make a few adjustments.  Please forgive my editing marks, I'm just waiting for the next thing to happen.  Obviously, we are not finished with things.  Thank you for your patience with this poem adaptation.

-------------------

Martin Niemöller Leila de Lima
was a prominent Protestant pastor is a Filipina politician
who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler Rodrigo Duterte
and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps is currently jailed in Camp Crame.

An Adjusted Poem from the Holocaust Museum:

First they came for the Socialists the drug dealers, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist drug dealer.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists de Lima & the Liberals, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Trade Unionist Liberal.

Then they came for the Jews the Press, and I did not speak out—

Because I didn’t read Rappler, and GMA was still on.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

-------------------------------

SA TAGALOG (pinahahalagahan ang anumang tulong sa pagsasalin)

Ang mga tula ay maaaring maging walang oras, at inuulit ng kasaysayan ang sarili nito. Kailangan mo lamang gumawa ng ilang mga pagsasaayos. Patawarin mo ang aking mga marka sa pag-edit, naghihintay lang ako sa susunod na mangyayari. Malinaw, hindi tayo tapos sa mga bagay. Salamat sa iyong pasensya sa pagbagay ng tula na ito.

Martin Niemöller Leila de Lima
ay isang kilalang Protestanteng pastor ay isang Pilipinong politiko
na lumitaw bilang isang hindi sinasabing pampublikong kaaway ni Adolf Hitler Rodrigo Duterte
at ginugol sa huling pitong taon ng pamamahala ng Nazi sa mga kampong konsentrasyon ay kasalukuyang nakakulong sa Camp Crame

Isang nababagay na tula mula sa Holocaust Museum:

Una ay dumating para sa mga sosyalista ang mga nagbebenta ng droga, at hindi ako nagsasalita—
 Dahil hindi ako sosyalista na nagbebenta ng droga.

Pagkatapos ay dumating sila para sa mga Trade Unionists de Lima at ang Liberal, at hindi ako nagsalita — Dahil hindi ako isang Trade Unionist Liberal.

Pagkatapos ay dumating sila para sa mga Hudyo ang Press, at hindi ako nagsalita — Dahil hindi ko nabasa ang Rappler, at nagpatuloy pa rin ang GMA.

Pagkatapos ay dumating sila para sa akin-at walang naiwan upang magsalita para sa akin.

My Words Ain't Nothin' to Hers

(Source: L.A. Times/Getty Images)

One of the first labor activists was a man named Joe Hill.  Prior to his death, he wrote to a friend.  His letter included Hill's most famous quote:

"Don't waste any time mourning. Organize!"

Don't mourn, organize! has been a rallying cry for unions around the world ever since.  I speak from experience.  Significantly, the cry goes out today, during this COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses, bus drivers, custodial workers--all face exposure (and sometimes outright danger).  Those in unions tend to be better protected because they get a voice in the conversation.

I'd like to turn your attention to this opinion piece from a union nurse in Minnesota (Emily Pierskalla, RN).  She writes better than I do, so I leave it to her from hereon.  Here are her admonishments:

• I want you to politicize my death. I want you to use it as fuel to demand change in this industry, to demand protection, living wages, and safe working conditions for nurses and ALL workers.
• Use my death to mobilize others.
• Use my name at the bargaining table.
• Use my name to shame those who have profited or failed to act, leaving us to clean up the mess.
• Don’t say “heaven has gained an angel.” Tell them negligence and greed has murdered a person for choosing a career dedicated to compassion and service.

Maybe it's better if you see it yourself:

https://mnnurses.org/want-my-death-make-you-angry/

Stay safe...I don't want to have to send thoughts & prayers.

With Appreciation

A student approached Zen Buddhist master, Nakagawa Sōen:

 “I am very discouraged.”

Soen Roshi replied, “Encourage others.”

January isn’t normally the time to focus on encouragement or thankfulness or appreciation.  Didn’t we just finish that season, after all?

The best time to do this stuff is when nobody expects it.

You know who doesn’t get encouraged?  I mean, other than minority candidates in the Democratic Party.  Offensive linemen: Guard. Tackle. Center. Blockers.  These linemen determine the success of a team.  I’m convinced of that.  Take the New England Patriots, for example.  New England’s Tom Brady is considered the greatest QB of all time these days.  He’s a great player, I agree.  BUT—that O-line was always fantastic for him. Consider his replacements:

• In 2008, he was injured right away and missed the entire season.  A man named Matt Cassel took over.  He led the Patriots to a 11-5 season, ranked 9th best in the NFL (just below Drew Brees). Kansas City’s team thought that showed promise.  He was a far different player without the Patriots’ offensive line.  He ranked dead last.
• When Brady got suspended in 2016, the job fell to Jimmy Garoppolo, a 24-year-old 3rd round pick from Eastern Illinois in his 3rd year.  Garoppolo was the best QB in the NFL by week 2.
• Another injury (to Garoppolo) landed Jacoby Brissett, a rookie, in the position.  He muddled through with almost no experience in the 3rd game (ranked 11th).  He was injured in week 4, and was traded to Indianapolis, where he was a back-up until this season.
• We learned that things change without a strong line this year in New England.  The QB protection was weakened from injuries.  They heard about it all year.  In fact, the Patriot O-line didn’t get anything from Tom Brady for Christmas this year.  Really. 

Stay classy, Tom.

My beloved, often-ignored, cheating, conniving, wonderful, fun-to-watch Seahawks are in the playoffs again.  As a bonus, they brought back one of the favorite Seahawks of all time: Marshawn Lynch.  They beat the Philadelphia Eagles last weekend, and suddenly it seems like things might...fly...their way.  (Ha!)  One key play appeared to define the entire game.  Here’s the play that seemed to give the Seattle Seahawks a lead & a playoff win over the Eagles.  As the announcers tell you, Marshawn Lynch (a.k.a., Beast Mode) POUNDS the ball into the endzone. 

("Bye, Philecia.")

Or did he?  There’s another guy with a part, as well.  His name is D. J. Fluker.  He plays offensive guard for the 'Hawks.  He’s an...offensive lineman.  Check his stats on ESPN, where his entire career boils down to the two tackles he made (after turnovers, I assume).  You don’t hear about O-line folks unless they get flagged for holding or false starts (or they get stuck in a “smart car”).  When you’re bad, you get named.  When you’re good, the others get named…you know, those in the “skill positions.” 

Q: Who came up with that bonehead term??

A: Same guy (a MAN, I'm sure) who coined "Mid-Major."

We never learn of linemen's backstories, either.  Wide receivers have deep, rich stories, though.  During this same playoff game, I saw a rookie wide receiver’s photo from about age 6, dressed up as Superman.   His biggest trial?  He was drafted in the second round, not the first.

Yeah, that’s why he caught that last pass:  cosplay.  

After the game, they interviewed him.  "How did it feel to blah, blah, blah after the pain of waiting to be drafted, blah, blah…?" 

Here’s a story.

D.J. Fluker was born and raised in the Lower Ninth of the Big Easy.  Hurricane Katrina displaced his family.  You know, like this:

He ended up attending three different high schools in different states. Still, he played at the University of Alabama and got drafted in the first round.  After five seasons, Fluker signed with Seattle, already his third NFL team—another journeyman.  Yet, here he is.  Making something happen and getting very little credit.  Maybe credit on some loser blog or something…

Fluker’s good, and that makes Russell Wilson (position: Quarterback), Marshawn Lynch (position: Beast Mode), and everybody else look good.  We’re all glad to have #24 (Lynch) back in uniform.  He just may be the spark that the Seahawks needed.  I get to buy big bags of Skittles again!

(This will always be my favorite photo of him.)

Doesn’t matter how much I like the guy.  Look again…you only need to see 4 seconds of it.  Freeze it, if you need.

Here.  I'll freeze it for you.  It all hinges on this quick decision by the guard (still photo):

D.J. basically grabs the ball carrier and throws him into the endzone!

How does this play end without Fluker?  Lynch gets stood up and stuffed.  The Seahawks had 19 yards on 17 carries in this game.  Beast Mode needed that help Sunday, and Fluker isn’t getting credit.  Honestly, Mr. Lynch got help throughout his career.  Beautiful.

(I still smile when I see this.)

OK...

I told you that story to get to this story.

Princeton…home of the high & mighty types…has officially noticed the staff.  The university recently exhibited etchings, drawings, and large-scale paintings of “10 workers at Princeton, including people in facilities, dining, grounds maintenance, and security.”  Just look at these!

The exhibit is titled, Lifetimes.  You can see it--an entire life of decent, hard work--in the faces.  It's just incredible to me.  Often, people just need help noticing.  I can't do much more than write a blog.  Still, we humans need to be on the lookout for ways to encourage others.  It's how we stay positive, or refreshed, or sober.

The artist is Mario Moore, who was on a Hodder painting fellowship.  He may have become famous for noticing and encouraging such work and these incredible people.  You know, I’m proud to be married to one of these workers at SFA—

• the people that make things function & work
• the ones that work late, later, and early (if necessary) and
• do those things that everybody thinks “just happen.”  

The paintings show a sense of honor toward these people.  Dr. Jay Thornton, the chair of a large department at SFA, took the time to drop a nice candle and a hand-written Thank-You to each custodial staff member who cleans his building (including Ms. Raqueline).  I still can hardly think of it without tearing up.  We should show that appreciation, too.  I should.

Now is a good time to look around.  It’s January, and early January at that.  The toughest part of the year, my friends.  My mom--who took lunch tickets at an elementary school, among other things--would have been…well…really old now.  January 6 (Epiphany, the 12th Day of Christmas) was and is her birthday.  She made things happen, rarely noticed, with little credit.  Too often, I got the credit.  I’m resolved to give others credit this winter.  Credit for jobs well-done when nobody notices.  Join me.  Call me on it when I miss, which I will. 😄

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson