“The number of black people in MLB continues to decline” – Derek Jeter, who faced racism in his early days, speaks candidly

Derek Jeter continue to fight the good fight. The former New York Yankees captain is known for his ability to expertly deflect questions about himself. But his active years are long over, and Jeter has become more comfortable with the press. However, one topic he has always spoken willingly about is the issue of race.

The Yankees legend grew up biracial as the son of Dorothy and Sanderson Jeter, at a time when interracial marriages weren’t too common. He has faced his fair share of trials and tribulations in what continues to be America’s problem today. The problem has also spread to baseball, although fortunately Negro League Baseball’s days of segregation are long gone. And yet, uniting the masses under one league has not contributed to the decrease in diversity within MLB.

Derek Jeter is honest about black MLB players

Earlier this year, the only major league baseball video game, MLB The Show, focused on a rarely discussed subject: the Negro Leagues. The creators of the game wanted to highlight the history of baseball and its evolution over the years, by featuring NLB stars. Jeter, who appeared on the cover of a special edition, emphasized the importance of this discussion. According to his estimation, few young people today are experiencing this development.

And in a recent appearance on Black Diamonds, a podcast hosted by Bob Kendrick, president of the NLB Museum, the Hall of Famer shed more light on black baseball players of this century.

Around the 2:51 mark, Jeter discusses the recent HBCU Swingman Classic. “I know we’re just getting started, but the number of black players in Major League Baseball continues to decline, and that’s unfortunate.»

“Anytime you get a chance to shine a light on these great players, Black players — to have a chance to shine a light on them on this platform here at the All-Star Game? I mean, it’s… it’s just brilliant, and it’s been a long, long time coming.” he said to Kendrick.

The HBCU event is a broadcast that focuses on players from 17 historically black colleges and universities. He opened the All-Star festivities at T-Mobile Park in July of this year, hosted by none other than Mariners legend Ken Griffey Jr.

Ken Griffey Jr. focuses on the exact ratio of black players in MLB

The retired baseball player is another name that has attempted to bring attention to black names in baseball. The numbers unfortunately continue to decline. “You are talking about 6.2%” the ancient sailor said Seattle weather last month.

Griffey, like Jeter, wanted to make a change and thus the idea for the HBCU Swingman Classic was born. As expected, it was a great success.

The hope now is that this conversation continues throughout the year, not just at designated events.

WATCH THIS STORY: New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter scripted the perfect end to his career with this iconic single