If you're watching, then you already know: Rick Reilly is part of ESPN's Home Run Derby coverage, and he's had a weird night. He seems determined to moralize at every instance, to imbue the Home Run Derby with manufactured meaning where there is none. (We've got all the meaning we need with Josh Hamilton's 28 monstrous home runs, thank you very much.) But by far the weirdest part of Reilly's evening has been the below argument on behalf of some sort of Derby affirmative action. For Reilly's taste, there are just way too many white dudes hitting dingers tonight: Rick Reilly: "I question the selection ... no disrespect, but we got eight white guys here. This is like a Kiwanis club meeting. Five of the last eight last champions have been Hispanic and we don't have a Hispanic player out here. Five of the top 25 home run hitters active, and none of them are here -- no Griffey, no Howard, no Tejada, no Abreu, no Pujols, no Manny. So I was very surprised ..."Reilly went on to claim that Ryan Howard needed to be in the Home Run Derby this year, despite not being selected to the All-Star Game (a different argument for a different time). When Ravech reminded him that that's not how things work, Reilly thought Howard won the Derby last year, which is wrong, and things continuted to degenerate. It was bad.
Karl Ravech: "Interesting concept."
The argument is silly for a variety of reasons. None of the players Reilly listed expressed any sort of interest in the Derby, and I'm sure MLB would have been thrilled -- just thrilled! -- for any of the above to want to hit homers. Maybe even Miguel Tejada! But I'm betting that those players -- like so many others, including Alex Rodriguez, who was invited -- didn't want to participate. Arguing for Home Run Derby affirmative action would probably be a lot more effective if there were actual facts behind the argument.
But, hey, at least ESPN's getting their $17 million worth. Money well spent.
Update: As has been pointed out by a couple of colleagues, Grady Sizemore's father is African-American, which Reilly also missed. So there, Rick.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
while watching the hr derby i knew that as soon as he said this, the blogosphere would be all over this...ha
while watching the hr derby i knew that as soon as he said this, the blogosphere would be all over this...ha
What is wrong with Rick Reilly? I don't care if the eight players in the Home Run Derby are Caucasians, Latinos, Asians or African Americans. Why doesn't these sportwriters make a big deal about the race of players in a Home Run Derby in the words of a famed person "Thou protest too much!"
what about "it's not a good day to be an atheist"? what a ridiculous statement.
You have to be incredibly full of smugness and d-baggery to make people forget about a Steve Phillips, Joe Morgan and Chris Berman -- in one booth! -- combination, and Reilly somehow managed that.
Reilly's comments were completely inappropriate. Imagine if an announcer were to make a similar comment about the number of African American players in an NBA all-star ("Looks like a Baptist church choir out there....").
What's amazing is that the overpaid Reilly, who should know a thing or two about sports, overlooked the fact that baseball has in recent years seen the number of black players decline. (I know he meant the derby lacked Latin American players, too; this is just a side note.)
This is not the first time idiotic announcers have said dumb things during a home run derby. Check out Curt Schilling's comments about Sammy Sosa, which, on camera, got a chuckle from bloviator Chris Berman:
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/schilling1.html
I used to enjoy reading Reilly's column when he wrote for SI. But this comment really makes me question what goes on in his head. He clearly has no idea what he is talking about. It's sad that we can't just for once forget about race and enjoy sports for what they are.
Not that it matters, but isn't Evan Longoria Latino?
First off that was an arrogant statement, even from Reilly to make such a comment when Morgan was the only minority commentating. I guess that is why they rushed Reggie Jackson up there.
If there were six blacks, or six Latinos hitting I assure you there would not have been a comment as - "Where are the white guys, it looks like an NAACP meeting up there". I lost much respect for Reilly in that he obviously wasn't or didn't do his homework and realize that many other players do not like to participate in the HR Derby. Josh Hamilton proved he deserved to be there - unfortunately for him and the viewers he didn't win - but wasn't the loser - Reilly was the biggest loser of the evening!
Sorry guys, missed the Derby (I know, a pox on me and my house). I think Reilly's comment was not necessarily well thought-out (especially his forgetting that Grady Sizemore is not only black but is actively trying to increase black participation in baseball). Now, equating it with the tired "whites in basketball" thing isn't necessarily comparing apples and apples, though. I feel racial make-up in basketball is more a factor of access and economics than talent. And that dynamic is fast changing, unlike in baseball. I would like to see Reilly commit to doing something about black youth participation in baseball as opposed to the very iffy issue of the Home Run Derby.
Besides, has he looked at the All-Star rosters? It's a United Nations of players, and not exactly full of those of European descent. That actually makes me proud to be a fan.
Rick Reilly is something else. All his inane comments aside, I really loved the fact that he, Rick Reilly, was giving the youth of this country hitting advice. I really want my son to know that Rick Reilly sure knows the proper mechanics of the baseball swing. I'm sure glad Joe Morgan didn't try to impart any of his knowledge on the subject, considering it would just pale in comparison to Reilly. Heck, what does Joe Morgan know abouit hitting anyway?
Please for the love of god, shut this guy up. Why ESPN thinks they need to keep bringing journalists into the fold is a crime.
To many white guys comment
Not a good night to be an atheist comment
Typical pinko commie journalist comments that have no place in the GAME or HOME RUN DERBY.
I don’t hear people complaining that, although blacks make up 11% of our population, that there are to many in the NFL or NBA…….both the NFL and NBA are above or right at 70% participation. And people still cry because there are not enough blacks in baseball.
I played major college football and have a black partner in business, so this isn’t some redneck from Alabama writing in about this topic. If you want diversity in the home run derby, then “white guys” want diversity and higher %’s in football and basketball .
I didn’t go here on this subject – Rick Reilly did and people are sick of it.
Scott
Bethesda, MD
– I'm the furthest thing from a racist……but if the John Thompsons of the world can go on the radio and say he is proud to be black and he looks out for the black athlete, then I feel the same about protecting the white athlete and am proud to be white. I was raised to be proud to be an American first and then to look out for the American athlete, but that no longer matters with the Rick Reilly’s of the world and his elitist comments….…….
TIRED OF THE RACE BAITING AND THROWING THE “WHITE GUYS” UNDER THE BUS ALL THE TIME -
Rick Reilly - too many white guys???!!!???
And these idiots are paid to say this stuff
I'm white and I was offended by these comments - why even mention race - who cares????
I think Rick should have to attend black Kiwanis meetings for a year followed by Hispanic and Asian Kiwanis meetings
He's a moron!
this guy is a moron. i suppose there are too many black guys in the NBA ?
And . .hey . . .Rick hasn't been to a Kiwanis meeting lately either! One of the greatest things happening in Kiwanis is the diversity in our organization! Women make up almost half of our members . . .and all races are represented - - and we are no longer just a bunch of old men having lunch!
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world - one child - and one community at a time! Kiwanis clubs make a difference in kids lives all over our nation - including taking kids to a baseball game! Check us out at www.kiwanis.org!!
I am a Kiwanis Club member, and I am not a white male.
I do wish Mr. Reilly better understood what Kiwanis International is about, which is serving children around the world.
I've been a Kiwanis member for 15 years. I am a businesswoman, mom, wife, community volunteer. I love serving children and mentoring teens through my Kiwanis Club.
Kiwanis Clubs are made up of men and women, and in my own club we have hispanic, asian, Vietnamese, Indian, caucasian, and all ages from 18-95. Kiwanis International partners with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, UNICEF and Children's Miracle Network.
But hey, guess we'll enjoy the publicity, even if it's inaccurate!
Did you guys see that ESPN is replaying the HR derby and they left out the "Kiwanis Club Meeting" comment?
What would happen if he said, Look at all the Jews, it looks like a Bar Mitzvah. Look at all Mexicians, it's looks like a Bull Fight, Look at all the Eskimos it looks like a whale hunt.
Lets just get off the whole race deal. I'm proud to be an European American!