I’m fascinated when all of a sudden a major change is proposed for the whole system of baseball.  Recently it’s the issue of realignment.  Clearly, the unbalanced divisions, the heavy AL East (in recent years), and the disparity in inter-league schedules need to be addressed.  I prefer symmetry, and I would like to see an equal number of teams in each league and each division.  I would also like to see my team to play an equally challenging schedule as the other teams in my division.   I still feel that regardless of these issues, the best teams find a way to make the playoffs with 162 games played regardless of the overall structure.

Here’s some interesting other articles about the question of realignment:

FanGraphs: Realignment: The AL East Quandry

FanGraphs: How Realignment Would Affect Playoff Races

Boston Herald: Let’s realign with logic in mind

Deadspin: Our Simple Guide To MLB Realignment, Or: Sorry Seattle, You’re Losing Another Team

The Braves celebrated the Civil Rights Game last weekend and it seems appropriate in the home place of the Civil Rights Movement: Atlanta, Georgia. Baseball certainly has a strangle hold over other sports in deserving credit for advancing the cause of equal rights.  It doesn’t hurt to have Jackie Robinson’s story to bust out in its defense.  I think anyone who know baseball will recognize that baseball was a fortunate benefactor of a questionable owner, Branch Rickey.  Allowing Jackie Robinson to play may be viewed in a similar light as Abraham Lincoln declaring the slaves free.

Regardless whether it was for financial reasons, baseball will take credit for how history played out and the contributions of Jackie Robinson on the field.  Baseball cherishes Jackie Robinson’s story and he will continue to stand as a hero and icon for generations to come. Baseball then has to face the fact that even though they were influential in advancing civil rights, the current state of baseball has changed dramatically.

Currently less than 8% of baseball players are African American.  There are obvious reasons for the decline.  Most African Americans are far more attracted to the popularity of football and basketball.  Baseball is far more expensive to learn and play and requires more expensive equipment and much more space.  Baseball tries to invest in more programs for African American youth and promote the cause of baseball, but baseball already played its part in the Civil Rights Movement.  It certainly is uncomfortable to parade out the story of Jackie Robinson and then look in its own backyard and see something missing.

Baseball needs to just relax and not worry about it.  Things have changed.

Today, African Americans are fully capable of playing baseball and making the majors.  It is a perfectly attainable dream.  It is not unavailable to them as it was in the past.  It’s not like the NBA is complaining that there aren’t enough whites or Latinos in basketball these days.

Let’s also realize that baseball’s glory days of standing as a model for civil rights and equality are in the past.  Baseball still celebrates an international following with great diversity unlike other sports.  The future of baseball is promoting itself in the same way soccer (futbol) is viewed worldwide, available to players from all countries, not just African Americans.

Every March, I try my best not to watch spring training games too early because the desire to watch a real baseball game becomes unbearable.  I love baseball, and though seeing the real teams on the field in March improves my spirits after a long winter, these exhibition games leave me dissatisfied.  I enjoy watching baseball games that count, and spring training is the ultimate tease.  Sure, these games offer a preview of what is to come in April, but ultimately it’s in the games after April 1 that determine everything.

We are only a week away from Opening Day and I haven’t watched one inning of spring training baseball.  Usually I have my spring break in March and I journey out to Arizona to catch a few games (last year, I made it to five games).  I usually don’t make it this long, but I’m showing restraint.  The best news is that next Friday (April 1) is a unexpected holiday from my work and our spring break is falling in April for the first time in a long time.  The baseball gods are clearly showing me some positive karma as my favorite team, the Braves, come to LA to play the Dodgers and then I plan to journey up to San Francisco to watch a couple more Braves/Giants games.  It’s not long before I will be immersed in baseball once again.