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Monday, June 09, 2008

Baseball’s RBI program yields a first-rounder

But in reality, Thursday was one of the better days Selig has had in his 16 years running Major League Baseball. That’s because he got to congratulate Aaron Hicks, the Minnesota Twins’ first-round pick.

Hicks, a five-tool center-field prospect with enough velocity on his fastball to dominate on the mound as well, is living proof of MLB’s commitment to restoring baseball in the inner city. He’s the first product of the Urban Youth Academy in Compton, Calif., to be selected in the first round of the draft.

“He’s what Tiger Woods would look like if he played baseball,” former California Angels outfielder Darrell Miller said.

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: June 09, 2008 at 04:11 PM | 19 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. Petooter: 11'6" 355 lbs of scrap and grit Posted: June 09, 2008 at 08:35 PM (#2813262)

“He’s what Tiger Woods would look like if he played baseball”

What a... strange comment. I guess the complexion comp method is more widespread than we thought.

2. DCA Posted: June 09, 2008 at 08:45 PM (#2813275)

Maybe he means that, growing up in the gritty reality of inner-city urban life, if not for the RBI program Hicks might have never gotten the opportunity to play baseball, and taken up golf instead.

3. Champions Table Posted: June 09, 2008 at 09:04 PM (#2813294)

Maybe I'm a little slow, but is this why Hicks was the only draftee in attendance (ie, so he could do the photo op with Bud)?

4. NJ is feeling better Posted: June 09, 2008 at 09:14 PM (#2813300)

Re: 3

No, there were a bunch of complications with getting guys there, so the result was that Hicks was the only one to show up.

5. Crispix Attacks Posted: June 09, 2008 at 09:15 PM (#2813301)

Selig: No, I'm serious, he looks a lot like Tiger Woods! Doesn't anyone else see it? Someone help me out here...please.
Aaron Hicks: I guess we all look the same to you, Costanza.

6. A triple short of the cycle

Posted: June 09, 2008 at 09:38 PM (#2813318)

...if not for the RBI program Hicks might have never gotten the opportunity to play baseball, and taken up golf instead.

Life imitates satire. From the article:

A fearless competitor, Hicks has become a scratch golfer and considered following Woods' footsteps.

7. MM1f Posted: June 09, 2008 at 09:38 PM (#2813319)

8. Golfing Great Mitch Cumstein Posted: June 09, 2008 at 09:46 PM (#2813330)

I have found it odd that in the last few years there have been a media and fan based concerns about the lack of African-American players while a good portion of young stars and otherwise solid young players are African-American. I guess it is just a case of the media catching up to the facts; they were slow to note the lack of players, but once they did, they failed to notice the influx.

Did any other recent players come up through RBI sponsored leagues or whatever? Why has there been a recent influx of star African-American talent?

9. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: June 10, 2008 at 01:27 AM (#2813480)

I have found it odd that in the last few years there have been a media and fan based concerns about the lack of African-American players while a good portion of young stars and otherwise solid young players are African-American. I guess it is just a case of the media catching up to the facts; they were slow to note the lack of players, but once they did, they failed to notice the influx.

There is a lack of African-American stars on the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, and Cubs, the only teams the media is aware of.

10. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: June 10, 2008 at 01:52 AM (#2813494)

“He’s what Tiger Woods would look like if he played baseball”

He has big buck teeth and talks like a nerd?

11. Russ Posted: June 10, 2008 at 02:16 AM (#2813503)

Why has there been a recent influx of star African-American talent?

A lot of these guys would have been growing up in the mid-90's... if only they had been able to see some sort of African-American living legend to look up to, someone who was widely recognized as one of the best players of all-time... hmmm...

12. Crispix Attacks Posted: June 10, 2008 at 02:24 AM (#2813507)

Shawon Dunston was indeed carrying the torch for African-Americans at that time. Dusty Baker saved baseball!

13. NJ is feeling better Posted: June 10, 2008 at 02:38 AM (#2813515)

#4,
Really? Whyso?
Matusz, Alvarez, Smoak, and Crow's team's had been eliminated 4 days before.
Hosmer was from Florida, though maybe his team still had playoff games or something going on. Tim Beckham wasn't from too far away.

Not really sure I'm allowed to say. However, rest assured, there will (should) be more next year.

14. Sparkles Peterson Posted: June 10, 2008 at 02:42 AM (#2813517)

I wonder if Hicks would have gone even earlier if he hadn't been reluctant to consider pitching at first. I doubt it, as he went awfully early anyway, but there was the rumor that a lot of teams liked his arm more than his bat.

15. Rich Rifkin I Posted: June 10, 2008 at 03:17 AM (#2813529)

I think we need more Ruthenian-Americans in baseball. Ruthenia gets no respect. I'd like to see RBI -- the Ruthene Baseball Institute.

16. Ozzie's gay friend Posted: June 10, 2008 at 05:00 AM (#2813562)

Just anecdotally, I've noticed a lot more Af. Am. players in the past few years.
The Rays seem to have a lot, as do the Tigers.
It's always fun when a much hyped prospect is called up and you get to find out what race he is.

17. Tom Cervo, backup catcher Posted: June 10, 2008 at 07:44 AM (#2813577)

It's always fun when a much hyped prospect is called up and you get to find out what race he is.

Somehow it took me until this year to find out Kelly Johnson is white. I even have a mental picture of him as a black guy, and it's driving me crazy because I can't figure out who I got him confused with.

18. Fly, the most judgment-free human being on Earth Posted: June 10, 2008 at 10:49 AM (#2813597)

19. bunyon Posted: June 10, 2008 at 11:16 AM (#2813604)

I bet by late this afternoon the Tigers have one fewer on the 25 man roster.

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Baseball’s RBI program yields a first-rounder

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