Why is there only one African-American professional baseball player in Chicago?

Orlando Hudson

I’m disappointed in Chicago’s baseball teams.

Yes, it’s partly because the Cubs have one of the worst records in baseball. And, sure, I wish the surging White Sox would find a way to attract more fans to the ballpark. But the biggest reason I’m disappointed is this: Between the two squads, there’s only one African-American player, Orlando Hudson of the Sox (and he’s been riding the bench since the team acquired Kevin Youkilis to play third base).

It’s not just the Sox and Cubs. Today, only about eight percent of MLB players are African-American, compared to 19 percent in 1995. So, sure, I’m disappointed, because I love the game, and I want to see teams that reflect the racial composition of my city. But, at the same time, I’m not here to cry racism, because here’s the irony: Even as African-American participation in baseball has fallen, the sport is more diverse than ever. The number of Latin players is at an all-time high, and Asian players are growing in number, too.

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