WASHINGTON: Hank Aaton, baseball’s all-time home run hitter, said blacks have been “completely ignored” for management positions and called for affirmative action.
“No matter what level, they look for whites”, said Aaron.
“Baseball people are just hardnosed. They don’t want to change”.
Aaron, a vice-president for the Braves, is one of few blacks with a front office job. “And if I had not hit 755 home runs, I don’t know if I’d have the job I have now,” he said.
“I think one or two managers would have been fired this year if not the Al Campaign is thing,” Aaron said. “But they would be pressured to fill the opening with a black, and they’re not ready for it.
“And it’s not just a question of qualifications. Peter Ueberroth is the commissioner of baseball, and he’s never played an inning in his life”.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 19, 1987
