“One Man’s Opinion” by Gordon E. Curvey

Happy the Mariners won today, but sad that on today we celebrate Jackie Robinson Day, the Mariners have one African American on the team, Chone Figgins.

So we have Figgins, batting coach Chris Chambliss and broadcaster Dave Sims and that’s it. I saw the opening day ceremony on TV and watched all the Mariners players plus other Mariner staff come on the field and besides Figgins and Chambliss, no other African Americans. This is truly sad as a African American born in Seattle.

Today I am watching the game on TV and I am searching for a African American at Safeco as far as the fans. I cannot find one readers. This is a fact. Just white face. Is this Vermont or South Dakota or Utah or Seattle?

The Mariners do little to ZERO marketing in African American owned media in Seattle (ie The Facts and Medium Newspapers and Ztwins Radio) and my media outlet Music Inner City TV. It is like the Mariner organization do not care about having African Americans at the games, on the team and in the organization as a whole. The question is why?

I listened to white sports jocks on 710 ESPN discuss Jackie Robinson. One thing that turns my tummy more than ANYTHING is hearing a studio full of white folks discuss the issues of race and racism WITHOUT another African American around!!!

But I guess on 710 ESPN and KJR that is the way it is because they have ZERO African American sports jocks!!

The Mariners traded away a still possible great player in Adam Jones who hit a 450 ft homer today, did not go after Dusty Baker for manager a few years ago and did not go after Prince Fielder hard enough.

Look at the Dodgers, Atlanta, Philly, Tampa, Reds, Pittsburg etc. They have young speedy and exciting African Americans like the Weeks brothers and Upton brothers, Matt Kemp, Brandon Phillps etc. Where are they on the Mariners?

Finally, when the Mariners have little kids with cancer or cancer in re-mission, why is it ALWAYS a little white kid? When will I see a little African American kid running the bases?

The late Jackie Robinson would not be happy with the situation of African Americans with the Mariners and his widow Mrs. Robinson and daughter too. And the great Hank Aaron would not be happy too.

We need more than the TOKEN “RBI League” We need more African Americans players like Torii Hunter and CeCe Sabithia And Curtis Grandison who reach back into the inner city with their foundations to tell kids that baseball is great game to play.

Because after 12 or 13 years old young African American kids turn to basketball and football. Do the Seattle Mariners care? Does MLB care? It looks like they do not. This is truly sad on Jackie Robinson Day. Comments? Holla at me at gcurvey@yahoo.com