Orlando Hudson on Race

[example1]

Saw this quote from Orlando Hudson mentioned on Baseball Tonight:

 

"You see guys like Jermaine Dye without a job. Guy with [27 home runs and 81 RBIs] and can't get a job. Pretty much sums it up right there, no? You've got some guys who miss a year who can come back and get $5, $6 million, and a guy like Jermaine Dye can't get a job. A guy like Gary Sheffield, a first-ballot Hall of Famer, can't get a job. We both know what it is. You'll get it right. You'll figure it out. I'm not gonna say it because then I'll be in [trouble]."

 

 

Pretty provocative. Definitely doesn't seem as black and white as that though. First of all, Sheffield isn't a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Secondly, he's implicated in steroid usage. Third, he's old and injury prone. I can completely understand why teams wouldn't want Sheffield on their team.

 

Why would a mediocre or mid-market team want to spend millions of dollars to have Sheffield when they all have rookies/younger players who can provide a similar production for a fraction of the cost? It isn't like Sheffield will mean the difference between playoffs and not-playoffs for teams like Houston or Florida.

 

As for Dye, last year's .250/.340/.453 line isn't super impressive, but he's only 35 and he appeared in 140+ games for 4 of the last 5 years. I'm skeptical of racism as the main reason and think its a strong accusation to level at owners who skeptical of spending millions of dollars on almost washed-up ball players.

[a700hitter]

Saw this quote from Orlando Hudson mentioned on Baseball Tonight:

 

 

 

 

Pretty provocative. Definitely doesn't seem as black and white as that though. First of all, Sheffield isn't a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Secondly, he's implicated in steroid usage. Third, he's old and injury prone. I can completely understand why teams wouldn't want Sheffield on their team.

 

Why would a mediocre or mid-market team want to spend millions of dollars to have Sheffield when they all have rookies/younger players who can provide a similar production for a fraction of the cost? It isn't like Sheffield will mean the difference between playoffs and not-playoffs for teams like Houston or Florida.

 

As for Dye, last year's .250/.340/.453 line isn't super impressive, but he's only 35 and he appeared in 140+ games for 4 of the last 5 years. I'm skeptical of racism as the main reason and think its a strong accusation to level at owners who skeptical of spending millions of dollars on almost washed-up ball players.

I believe that Dye received interest if not offers from team this off-season. If he is not willing to accept said offers, how does racism enter the equation?

[Lester82]

Listen, we know what this is... I don't want to say it, because " I might get in trouble ". Ya know, only those imposter Dominicans like Pedro can be the black guy that gets paid to pitch mid-way through the season for $5 million. Non-imposter blacks like Sheffield will get no such luxury.

 

Honestly, where do Torii Hunter and Orlando Hudson get their ideas from, it's like there should be a new Twilight Zone for crazy ideas by MLB players. Starring John Rocker, Jose Canseco, Carl Everett, Torii Hunter,O-Dawg and a special appearence by umpire Joe West

[example1]

I believe that Dye received interest if not offers from team this off-season. If he is not willing to accept said offers' date=' how does racism enter the equation?[/quote']

 

Yes, I read that he was not willing to take $1m (from the Nationals, I believe).

 

Again, why would teams overpay for a "name" guy when even the Nationals have servicable rookies/homegrown players who can produce nearly as well?

[Emmz]

There are a lot of athletes with big mouths who get themselves into trouble like this. I with O-Dawg wouldn't have said anything, he's on my team, the team doesn't need this, he really should just seal his mouth. Just because of two examples, both of them pretty much null and void examples, doesn't make it acceptable for the guy to go running his mouth. I can't stand it when celebrities and athletes do this crap.

[Keeper]

Dye got at least one offer in the offseason. I think it was for like $3.5 mill. Which is actually pretty fair, given that he is no spring chicken, how bad he was in the second half last year, and how much his defense has declined.

 

I agree with everything example said about Sheffield.

 

If there are less black players in baseball today (and I'm not sure there are), it's not because of racism. It's because black athletes nowadays seem to prefer basketball and football.

[riverside sluggers]

So Hudson ignores the fact that 37 year old Mike Cameron signed 2 year/$15 million deal with Red Sox. Course we know how Boston is still being criticized for being racist towards Blacks:rolleyes:, ahem Ken Rosenthal

[jacksonianmarch]

Dye got the same offer that went out to Xavier Nady from the Cubs. Dye rejected it, Nady took it. Dye rejected offers from a few other teams too, because he didnt want to uproot his family. This is nothing but a black guy speaking out for his friend, but using the race card once again. Seriously, the race card should be taken away from everyone nowadays

[a700hitter]

Multi-millionaires living privileged lives should not be claiming that they are victims of anything. The idea is ridiculous.

[YeAuldBroade]

Orlando Hudson's an ass.

[yeszir]

I'm pretty sure Sheffield didn't get an offer because he sucks and he's a nutcase.

[Gom]

Jarrod Washburn.

 

The truth is, it's age and defense discrimination, but I don't think in this case, racism is an issue.

[Northern Star]

Players/the union try to take the teams for as much dough as they can, and are willing to cry collusion at the drop of a hat. Hudson now plays the race card. It's sad.

[italstallianion]

I wouldn't be surprised if there is collusion in baseball, but I doubt that it's based on or even involves race.

[yeszir]

I wouldn't be surprised if there is collusion in baseball' date=' but I doubt that it's based on or even involves race.[/quote']

 

It almost certainly involves the Yankees though

[Northern Star]

I wouldn't be surprised if there is collusion in baseball' date=' but I doubt that it's based on or even involves race.[/quote']

 

There might be, but on the other hand teams have finite amounts of cash. The wages have inflated so far, thanks in large part to the Yankees and other big teams. We just went through a recession, attendance was down. Also, most of the really good players are locked up in ever longer and bigger contracts. Players expect the teams to give $10mil offers to a guy realistically worth $4mil, then they cry collusion when they don't get their way. Amazing to cry that a few million dollars is not enough.