5 Reasons the ‘Sox Investment in Minorities is Key to Their Success

When the Chicago White Sox battle the Minnesota Twins tonight for the final playoff birth in Major League Baseball’s 2008 Season, they will be continuing a path to success which started with their investment in black and minority players and managers. In an era of MLB where the amount of black athletes account for a menial 8.2 percent of leagues’ players, the 2005 World Series Champions continue to boast one of the most diverse rosters and front offices in the league. Though result of tonight’s one-game playoff in the Windy City could land the Southsiders in the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, their overall influence on minority participation in America’s pastime won’t be confined to the box score or this one contest. So in anticipation of tonight’s match up and continued success of blacks in MLB, here are five reasons to tune in to TBS and show your support for one of the best sports stories of the last three years. –gavin philip godfrey
Ken Williams, General ManagerAs the only the third-ever African-American general manager to run an MLB team, Ken Williams is often praised as a personnel guru. It wasn’t until Williams assumed his post that the ‘Sox became world champions. On top of that Williams, along with the New York Mets GM Omar Minaya and the Los Angeles Angels’ Tony Reagins is one of three minority GMs in today’s game.Ozzie Guillén, ManagerAside from being one of the most outspoken and animated figures in MLB, Ozzie Guillén is one of only eight minority managers in the game. Oh, let’s forget it was the Venezuelan-born manager that led the team to their 2005 championship run.Jermaine Dye & Ken Griffey Jr., OFIn a game where the black player is more or less non-existent, the ‘Sox can boast about two of the population’s biggest stars. Dye, the 2005 World Series MVP is having an exceptional season with 36 homers and almost 100 runs batted in, while Griffey continues to mesmerize crowds with one the sweetest swings in the game’s history. And were it no for injury, Griffey would be the real Homerun King.The SouthsideFrom the Great Migration to the rich history of minority-owned businesses, the Southside of Chicago is arguably one of most influential neighborhoods in black history. Add to that the working-class; community-minded attitude that’s prevalent in the personalities of the residents is also a reflection of the White Sox organization itself – struggle en route to success.