When did the percentage of black players hit its peak in MLB? About 1975-85 I would venture a guess. Given that the average age of an MLB player is probably 26-28, the formative years for average players at that time was 1960-70, when MLB ruled, and the NBA, NFL, not to mention NHL were of far less importance. Since then the NBA and moreso the NFL have taken a huge bite out of the popularity of MLB (remember how popular boxing was back then?) It is also true that that the percentage of black players in the NFL and NBA (notice I didn't mention coaching ranks) is far higher now then it ever was in MLB.

Is it the allure of those sports that draw more blacks? The fact that black children see more pro players in those sports? Not sure.

Meanwhile, about 5 years ago, Hispanics in this country outstripped Blacks as the dominant minority, that also plays a factor.

Add to this the feverish interest in baseball in the Dominican, which produces far more then any other nation or sub group for the MLB. Then add in the Far East, and other nations to the south, and a lot has changed in the past 30 years.

The fact that some changes are taking place is likely. It may or may not be important. But I am sure that Mr. Kaufman and Mr. Sheffield are both far outside of their areas of expertise in this discussion.

W

For every positive move he made - the various social and domestic moves, there are more negative ones - the destruction of the Allende government, the complete destruction of Cambodia and the conditions that led directly to Pol Pot (thanks Kissinger you horribly overrated criminal). His paranoia about "enemies" leading to many illegal acts.

He can never be fully grasped, and he will continue to hover at the back end of the list of Presidents. But at least he had a brain. Having seen them all up close from Ike onward Bush is by far the worst, making me wish for his inept father, Ronald, or the potentially great, but pants dropping Clinton were still running the show.

W

An aging team, they will have trouble getting by Orlando, Philly, and Cleveland - not to mention Boston.

Boston v Lakers in the Finals - won by healthier of the two

At age 51, 2 years after some very serious illnesses I lost my $115k job. No job for 9 months now and counting. I've mostly been happy, cooking, cleaning, raising the boys, while my wife continues her very rewarding and tiring but lowish paid teaching job. Never one for faith and giving thanks I give a lot of thanks for a mate that never loses her patience, or her faith in me because finally after 25 years of being the rain maker, I can't make it rain anymore. I'm looking for jobs for half of the money now, unemployment ends in less then 3 months.

After reading this piece, I'm going to pray in the darkness tonight. Thank god I married my wife and not this whiny wreck - Marisa.

Income is the essence of a good relationship? Goodness....

Shared experiences and maturity is the essence of a good relationship.

I wrote one of the first letters on this thread, and left out a lot. I left out the Dx of Bipolar 9 years ago, the botched open heart surgery 4 years ago, the Dx of C-PTSD 3 years ago, the Dx of Marfan Syndrome last year. Now the 9 months of unemployment. I thought, maybe they will think she is just staying on out of loyalty or pity, so my message will drowned in an uncomfortable silence before folks move on to the next letter.

Maybe. But I haven't quit, will not quit. I don't need mercy. I built with my wife a home and family where everybody is comfortable and loved, and we will do what we are doing as long as our days or the money hold out.

As someone who can surf the net all day because I am unemployed and now on a fast track to full disability for Bipolar II, C-PTSD, and DID my initial reaction was one of disgust. Hopefully like that lame 60's TV program about the black women (Julia) that broke practically no new ground, this will be a stepping stone to better understanding in the future. Without that sort of plodding forward we should all still be wielding spears and axes.