Torii Hunter - racist?

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  • Robyn
    SBR Hall of Famer
    • 02-05-08
    • 9681

    #1
    Torii Hunter - racist?



    Angels center fielder Torii Hunter was called a racist for his remarks last season about too many players, and an entire team with no black players, wearing Jackie Robinson's No. 42.

    "I didn't know I was a racist. I've never been a racist," Hunter says.

    His remarks about race in baseball last season, when he was with Minnesota, elicited criticism, some of which he called 'a little scary.'

    It is easy, too easy in our culture, to condemn a man without hearing him out. One sound bite, one click, and judgment is passed.

    Torii Hunter sits at his locker, his eyes widening as he tells this story. He is a man of enormous compassion and abundant laughter, as popular among his peers as any player.

    We do not need a presidential election to learn that race still is an issue in this country, an uncomfortable issue. As baseball celebrated Jackie Robinson and his legacy last year, Hunter said something -- absolutely relevant, certainly debatable, possibly provocative.

    In return for his opinion, he got hate. In return for his honesty, he got labeled a racist, more than once.

    "That was a little scary," he said. "I didn't know I was a racist. I've never been a racist."

    He did not mention race, any race, in what he said. But he did not have the chance to explain, to put his remarks into the context of race, of baseball and of Jackie Robinson. It is easier, of course, to brand a man a racist than to hear him out.

    So let us hear him, and disagree with him, and hear him out again.

    In 1997, 50 years after Robinson broke baseball's color barrier, Commissioner Bud Selig ordered every team to retire Robinson's No. 42.

    In 2007, Ken Griffey Jr. asked permission to wear No. 42 on the annual Jackie Robinson Day.

    Selig loved the idea and invited other players to join in. On some clubs, one player wore No. 42. On other clubs, several players did. On still others, every player did.

    This is what Hunter said, to USA Today: "This is supposed to be an honor, and just a handful of guys wearing the number. Now you've got entire teams doing it. I think we're killing the meaning.

    "It should be special wearing Jackie's number, not just because it looks cool."

    What upset Hunter, he says now, was this: The Houston Astros had no black players on their team last April, and yet the entire team wore No. 42.

    "That got it away from, 'OK, we don't have any blacks,' " he said.

    To Hunter, a roster with no black players did not represent the progress for which Robinson stood, and baseball celebrated.

    "When you have a team that doesn't have any African American players on the team, and then everybody on the team wears it, yes, it's watered down, because they don't have blacks to represent Jackie Robinson over there," Hunter said.

    "It's pretty weird. That's just my opinion."

    Selig does not share that opinion.

    "It transcends all that," he said. "Jackie Robinson coming into baseball is the most powerful and most meaningful moment in baseball history. To honor Jackie Robinson by wearing his number, I think, is the greatest compliment you can pay."

    Symbolism is powerful, and this picture would be worth 60 years of words: As teams line up to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day, six decades after his debut, look at a team with no black players, with no one wearing No. 42.
  • OLGC_Slayer
    SBR MVP
    • 02-28-08
    • 2186

    #2
    I see all the headlines today-number of black players in the majors falls AGAIN!
    I dont remember seeing any headlines when basketball and football teams became 88.5% black.
    The only people interested in complaining abou this kind of thing are the people who actually do see colours instead of people first.
    People like Torii Hunter and Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson.
    That is all.
    Comment
    • thegreatdiatchi
      SBR MVP
      • 03-07-08
      • 1154

      #3
      Just because he doesn't like it doesn't mean other people shouldn't be allowed to do it. This is a perfect example of the certain group of blacks who whine just to push the race card.
      Comment
      • OLGC_Slayer
        SBR MVP
        • 02-28-08
        • 2186

        #4
        Torii Hunter should just STFU and play baseball.
        Comment
        • willyback
          SBR Wise Guy
          • 11-15-07
          • 674

          #5
          Here we go again... This isn't the online forum for racial justice & equality. Scrap all these racial/racist/race posts and get back to the real reasons why we post here: gambling, handicapping, and getting paid. I had to learn that lesson the hard way, but guess what?

          LESSON LEARNED.
          Comment
          • Stacocakes
            SBR Hall of Famer
            • 04-10-08
            • 7126

            #6
            I agree with Willyback. Not much good can happen from these types of posts but alot of bad could happen.Best to just not start them
            Comment
            • Robyn
              SBR Hall of Famer
              • 02-05-08
              • 9681

              #7
              I am personally tired of it.

              And then today, there was an article in the local Tampa paper with Alicia Keys who claims that gangsta rap was created by the government so that blacks would kill each other.

              WHAT??

              First of all, Ms. Keys....you are more white than you are black.

              Has anyone seen her mother?






              Getting back to this Torii Hunter mess. Jackie Robinson should be celebrated for breaking the barriers for ALL minorities, not just blacks.
              Comment
              • Robyn
                SBR Hall of Famer
                • 02-05-08
                • 9681

                #8
                Originally posted by Stacocakes
                I agree with Willyback. Not much good can happen from these types of posts but alot of bad could happen.Best to just not start them
                So let me get this straight....because something has racial undertones, it should not be discussed? Even if it pertains to sports?

                I don't think so.
                Comment
                • Stacocakes
                  SBR Hall of Famer
                  • 04-10-08
                  • 7126

                  #9
                  I'm not saying it shouldn't be discussed I am saying that it is best if it is not discussed because someone will eventually say something that is out of line and then other people will jump in on it and then you have a thread that has 85 posts of people going back and forth about it.
                  As willy stated earlier, this is a gambling messageboard and its about talking about the games for theday,strategies to winning, different types of sportsbooks. Whether a player feels a certain way or not doesn't really influence the boxscore at the end of the game.
                  Just my two cents.If people don't agree they can continue to post in this thread and talk about it and I will just look at another thread on here.No biggie
                  Comment
                  • Robyn
                    SBR Hall of Famer
                    • 02-05-08
                    • 9681

                    #10
                    I am not looking to fight with you or anyone else...but I think that people have been round and round about the purpose of the Players Talk area.

                    Had I posted this int he MLB forum, I could see your argument.
                    Comment
                    • willyback
                      SBR Wise Guy
                      • 11-15-07
                      • 674

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Robyn
                      So let me get this straight....because something has racial undertones, it should not be discussed? Even if it pertains to sports?

                      I don't think so.
                      I do. Race is a "hot button" issue for too many people (especially on this forum). You're already challenging the previous statement. None of us agree on race so, why even discuss it. We barely agree on who has the best picks tonight (lol).

                      It's a waste of time. Let it go.
                      Comment
                      • willyback
                        SBR Wise Guy
                        • 11-15-07
                        • 674

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Stacocakes
                        I'm not saying it shouldn't be discussed I am saying that it is best if it is not discussed because someone will eventually say something that is out of line and then other people will jump in on it and then you have a thread that has 85 posts of people going back and forth about it.
                        As willy stated earlier, this is a gambling messageboard and its about talking about the games for theday,strategies to winning, different types of sportsbooks. Whether a player feels a certain way or not doesn't really influence the boxscore at the end of the game.
                        Just my two cents.If people don't agree they can continue to post in this thread and talk about it and I will just look at another thread on here.No biggie
                        Smart post. Diplomacy is the best policy on this forum.
                        Comment
                        • Sportsgirl
                          SBR MVP
                          • 09-10-06
                          • 4493

                          #13
                          Originally posted by willyback
                          I do. Race is a "hot button" issue for too many people (especially on this forum). You're already challenging the previous statement. None of us agree on race so, why even discuss it. We barely agree on who has the best picks tonight (lol).

                          It's a waste of time. Let it go.
                          Let's talk about religion and politics instead
                          Comment
                          • swede96
                            SBR MVP
                            • 12-05-07
                            • 3875

                            #14
                            There you have it folks, we're only allowed to talk about things that everyone agrees on.

                            Puppies are cute. I'm pretty sure everyone can agree on that. Also, rainbows are colorful. Discuss.
                            Comment
                            • willyback
                              SBR Wise Guy
                              • 11-15-07
                              • 674

                              #15
                              Originally posted by Sportsgirl
                              Let's talk about religion and politics instead
                              LOL
                              Comment
                              • Robyn
                                SBR Hall of Famer
                                • 02-05-08
                                • 9681

                                #16
                                Or we could all talk about my boobs....because that seems to be something that is ok to talk about.

                                BORING!
                                Comment
                                • Sportsgirl
                                  SBR MVP
                                  • 09-10-06
                                  • 4493

                                  #17
                                  Originally posted by swede96
                                  There you have it folks, we're only allowed to talk about things that everyone agrees on.

                                  Puppies are cute. I'm pretty sure everyone can agree on that. Also, rainbows are colorful. Discuss.
                                  I agree that puppies are cute, but, it really can't go without saying that Max is the cutest.
                                  Comment
                                  • swede96
                                    SBR MVP
                                    • 12-05-07
                                    • 3875

                                    #18
                                    Originally posted by Robyn
                                    Or we could all talk about my boobs....because that seems to be something that is ok to talk about.

                                    BORING!
                                    Or how about the fact that we're men. I think I saw that horse move.
                                    Comment
                                    • Panic
                                      SBR Posting Legend
                                      • 01-06-08
                                      • 10367

                                      #19
                                      I'm not racist, I hate you all equally.
                                      Comment
                                      • willyback
                                        SBR Wise Guy
                                        • 11-15-07
                                        • 674

                                        #20
                                        Originally posted by Robyn
                                        Or we could all talk about my boobs....because that seems to be something that is ok to talk about.

                                        BORING!
                                        Boring conversation is good conversation - NSA/CIA/FBI approved conversation - "no phone taps, search warrants, or criminal record inquiries are required for said converstaions."
                                        Comment
                                        • Willie Bee
                                          SBR Posting Legend
                                          • 02-14-06
                                          • 15726

                                          #21
                                          Torii Hunter's black, ergo he cannot be a racist.
                                          Comment
                                          • Robyn
                                            SBR Hall of Famer
                                            • 02-05-08
                                            • 9681

                                            #22
                                            Exactly, Willie Bee...exactly.
                                            Comment
                                            • CashMoney
                                              SBR MVP
                                              • 01-07-08
                                              • 1982

                                              #23
                                              Originally posted by Robyn
                                              I am personally tired of it.

                                              And then today, there was an article in the local Tampa paper with Alicia Keys who claims that gangsta rap was created by the government so that blacks would kill each other.

                                              WHAT??

                                              First of all, Ms. Keys....you are more white than you are black.

                                              Has anyone seen her mother?






                                              Getting back to this Torii Hunter mess. Jackie Robinson should be celebrated for breaking the barriers for ALL minorities, not just blacks.
                                              ALICIA KEYS HOT!!!!!!!!!!
                                              Comment
                                              • treece
                                                SBR Hall of Famer
                                                • 11-28-07
                                                • 6298

                                                #24
                                                Originally posted by Willie Bee
                                                Torii Hunter's black, ergo he cannot be a racist.
                                                this type of sht pisses me off. blacks can say whatever they want and get away with it yet when a white person says something somewhat racist like that radio guy that said nappy headed hoes. he gets picketed outside his studio until he gets fired.
                                                Comment
                                                • MJFtheGenius
                                                  SBR Hall of Famer
                                                  • 05-31-07
                                                  • 7257

                                                  #25
                                                  hunter hates white people
                                                  Comment
                                                  • willyback
                                                    SBR Wise Guy
                                                    • 11-15-07
                                                    • 674

                                                    #26
                                                    Originally posted by treece
                                                    this type of sht pisses me off. blacks can say whatever they want and get away with it yet when a white person says something somewhat racist like that radio guy that said nappy headed hoes. he gets picketed outside his studio until he gets fired.
                                                    That's not necessarily true. Rush Limbagh and Howard Stern get away with a plethora of highly questionable, racially charged on-air comments (not only against blacks, but a multitude of other races as well; pretty much anything that's non-white).

                                                    As for "Imus in the Morning," Don Imus still received a handsome settlement on the remainder of his broadcasting contract (not to mention - he's back on the commercial radio airwaves). Don't let the Al Sharpton inspired protests fool you, Imus came out of that situation pretty well (all things considered).
                                                    Comment
                                                    • swede96
                                                      SBR MVP
                                                      • 12-05-07
                                                      • 3875

                                                      #27
                                                      I am a little glad that for once a story of racism involves a black person being racist towards white people. You just don't see that.
                                                      Comment
                                                      • Robyn
                                                        SBR Hall of Famer
                                                        • 02-05-08
                                                        • 9681

                                                        #28
                                                        Swede, we are seeing more and more of it every day. But it's ok, because they are black.
                                                        Comment
                                                        • swede96
                                                          SBR MVP
                                                          • 12-05-07
                                                          • 3875

                                                          #29
                                                          I can't wait for Sharpton to get wind of this and call everyone who agrees with that article DOUBLE racists!
                                                          Comment
                                                          • cobra_king
                                                            SBR MVP
                                                            • 08-07-06
                                                            • 2493

                                                            #30
                                                            Originally posted by swede96
                                                            I can't wait for Sharpton to get wind of this and call everyone who agrees with that article DOUBLE racists!
                                                            There is no bigger racist than good ol' Al.
                                                            Comment
                                                            • Willie Bee
                                                              SBR Posting Legend
                                                              • 02-14-06
                                                              • 15726

                                                              #31
                                                              Originally posted by swede96
                                                              I am a little glad that for once a story of racism involves a black person being racist towards white people. You just don't see that.
                                                              The reason you don't see it is because it doesn't exist. Blacks cannot be racists, just like women can never commit sexual harassment and female teachers will never sleep with their students. C'mon, Swede, wake up!

                                                              Comment
                                                              • swede96
                                                                SBR MVP
                                                                • 12-05-07
                                                                • 3875

                                                                #32
                                                                Originally posted by cobra_king
                                                                There is no bigger racist than good ol' Al.


                                                                Exactly.
                                                                Comment
                                                                • swede96
                                                                  SBR MVP
                                                                  • 12-05-07
                                                                  • 3875

                                                                  #33
                                                                  Originally posted by Willie Bee
                                                                  The reason you don't see it is because it doesn't exist. Blacks cannot be racists, just like women can never commit sexual harassment and female teachers will never sleep with their students. C'mon, Swede, wake up!

                                                                  Please, you guys love it when the cute secretary "accidentally" brushes her boobies on you...and you know you wanted to bang that hot new English teacher youe senior year.
                                                                  Comment
                                                                  • Willie Bee
                                                                    SBR Posting Legend
                                                                    • 02-14-06
                                                                    • 15726

                                                                    #34
                                                                    I'll have to show you my high school yearbook sometime, Swede. I don't recall one teacher at the school that caused any loin-stirring on me.
                                                                    Comment
                                                                    • willyback
                                                                      SBR Wise Guy
                                                                      • 11-15-07
                                                                      • 674

                                                                      #35
                                                                      Originally posted by MJFtheGenius
                                                                      hunter hates white people
                                                                      It's not a question of Hunter hating white people. I think that posters are unfairly accusing him of racism.

                                                                      Hunter is merely pointing out a simple flaw in the system. If a team doesn't have any black players (in the first place), the implication could be made that said team's hiring pollicies are not necessarily pro-racial diversification (black talent might not be a viable option for their rosters - for whatever reason). Therefore, it's kind of hipocritical for said team to wear the number 42 in honor of a black player who risked his life for league intergration. If said team was truly dedicated to Jackie Robinson's vision of a racially diverse league then they'd hire black players in the first place. Said team would insist upon having black talent on their rosters whether the MLB liked it or not.

                                                                      That's all that Hunter's saying. He's pointing out hipocracy.
                                                                      Comment
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