Dodgers Allowed to Skip the 'Interview a Token Minority' Process

When managerial jobs open up, Major League Baseball usually requires that team interview at least one minority for the position. In the case of the Dodgers, though, they're getting a pass in their quest to hire Joe Torre. From the Los Angeles Times (via SbB)

The Dodgers were allowed to skip the interviews of minorities because of their hiring record. Selig issued a memorandum in 1990 directing teams to notify his office of minority candidates they planned to interview for vacancies in decision-making positions.

Assistant general managers Kim Ng and De Jon Watson are minorities -- Ng is an Asian-American woman and Watson is African American -- and president Jamie McCourt is the highest-ranking female executive in baseball.

(Update: As pointed out in the comments, the LA Times is incorrect: Faye Vincent was actually the commish of baseball in 1990.)

While it's true that the Dodgers have one of the most diverse front offices in the game, that's not why they should be given a free pass on this. No, the reason should be because pretending to show interest to another candidate -- no matter what race, gender or creed -- would be an absolute farce. The Dodgers fired Grady Little for one reason and one reason only: to hire Joe Torre. Pausing for a moment so the front office can go through the charade of feigning interest in another guy with a darker complexion would make a mockery of the rule, which is to create opportunities. There is no opportunity, the Dodgers want Torre and that's it.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-01-2007 @ 6:16PM

pedro said...

The LA Times is wrong, Bud Selig wasn't commissioner in 1990. Fay Vincent was.

11-01-2007 @ 6:52PM

Moresports said...

At least according to the quote that you placed in the story, the L.A. Times would be accurate: They said the highest rankings woman in baseball, not baseball history.

11-01-2007 @ 6:54PM

Sorry, misinterpreted the comment. My bad.

11-01-2007 @ 7:13PM

Don said...

OK, so let's all skip the rules if we followed them in the PAST! I've never gotten a speeding ticket, so the next cop that stops me if I go 90 in a school zone, should automatically let me go.

Follow up..that's why even lawyers say there's no contract or "rule" that can't be broken or loopholed or gotten away with! It's always about WHO you are OR WHO you KNOW. I guess that means the Angels also would get a pass if they break the rules on a trade or player signing since they don't need a new manager, becauseof their "attitude" towards minorities is excellent. And there are other a teams. So another baseball rule becomes a joke like the steroid issue.

11-01-2007 @ 7:26PM

ron said...

Don you may be wrong. I have not checked the total L.A. organization, BUT Torre could just turn out to be a minority hire for their organization.

11-01-2007 @ 7:33PM

Ron--I know what you're saying. The Dodgers have the best record throughout history when it comes to higher minorities. But my point is that they "conveniently skipped" the process...the end, if it turns out morally right, does NOT justify the means.

11-01-2007 @ 7:38PM

sorry...hiring minorities

11-01-2007 @ 7:51PM

floridian said...

Matt, if the good old boys had their way, there'd still be NO women and minorities in coaching and administrative positions, which was the status for most of the sport's history. So this system in which they have to interview a minority was a painless solution and the funny thing is, it's worked to some degree.

Don't get cynical about it, man. Don't you think the minority candidates know when their chances are slim? At least it gives some prospective managers like Tony Pena the experience of being interviewed and it might even open the minds of some of the owners who might see something they hadn't thought about.

I wouldn't underestimate the significance of tokens, which is the lesson we should have learned from Jackie Robinson. When he was accepted, it made it easier for others to follow him.

11-01-2007 @ 8:51PM

Bob said...

Whenever the term goodold boys is used...I wish specific names and titles were used... This vast conspiracy not to hire minorities people need to be named...where they meet ...thecode words...how far up does this go......we can do better then goodold boys.....

11-02-2007 @ 4:44AM

me said...

that's ok ------ the angels have already brought a pc , affirmitive action token to the socal sports scene ----one per city is all that is required !

11-02-2007 @ 7:41AM

Sportz Assassin said...

When this rule first started, I also thought it was a farce. Why have, as you said, a token interview? Then, I realized that it is a good thing, even if you already know who you're going to hire.

The reasoning is that minorities get to go through the interview process ... something they couldn't get their foot in the door on before. Kinda like the NBA Draft rule where you can go in, get feedback, and go back to college. Sure, most times, there is a snowball's chance in hell they would land the first job interview ... but the fact that they get to go through the process means they know what GMs and owners are looking for so the next time they get an interview, they will be better prepared. Also, it gets your name out there. Guys like Romeo Crennel used the same rule in the NFL to cultivate a buzz around him as a head coaching candidate.

And you never know. You could come out of the blue and nail it ... just like Mike Tomlin did with the Steelers.

While it seemingly has flaws, it is a good program.

-Sportz