Dusty Baker's (Nationals manager) race sensitive comments - who should be offended?

[purbeast0]

this has been something in the local sports coverage the past couple days that i've been listening to on the radio. i'm curious to hear other people's opinions on this. here is the context and quotes he said.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/6ade...makes-race-sensitive-comments-defends-chapman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dusty Baker thinks the Washington Nationals need more speed, so he wants more African-American and Latino players on the roster.

He also vigorously defended Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, who was accused of choking his girlfriend and shooting a gun during an incident in October. And Baker also had a different take on domestic violence.

At the winter meetings as a manager for the first time since he was fired by the Reds after the 2013 season, Baker answered more than 30 questions in a free-wheeling interview session Tuesday.

"You're always in need of left-handed pitching, left-handed hitting, and in need of speed," he said. "I think that's the number one thing that's missing, I think, in the game is speed. You know, with the need for minorities, you can help yourself — you've got a better chance of getting some speed with Latin and African-Americans.

"I'm not being racist," he added. "That's just how it is."

There were no black managers in the major leagues at the time Baker was hired by Washington last month. The 66-year-old former manager of the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs and Reds came to the defense of Chapman, who played for Baker in his first three big league seasons after defecting from Cuba.

"Oh, he's a heck of a guy. I mean, a heck of a guy. I'll go on record and say I wouldn't mind having Chapman," Baker said. "No, no, he is a tremendous young man with a great family, mom and dad, and what he went through to get here and what his family had to go through to get here. I was with him through the whole process."

Baker said he did not read the police report.

"I heard it from my son," he said. "I mean, who's to say the allegations are true, number one? And who's to say what you would have done or what caused the problem?"

There is also some domestic violence sensitive stuff he said that i pasted, which is also up for discussion.

but the big question in local sports radio that they've been talking about is who the hell is supposed to be offended by that comment? the guys i listen to are all white - and none of them are offended, but they are indirectly being put down. are black or spanish people supposed to be offended by it? is the fact that he's a black guy saying it make it okay and if a white guy said it there would be a problem?

the fact that this became a "race sensitive" issue overall made it become national news. all of the radio guys i've listened to for the most part hate how PC the world has become in general, and this was another example of how they hate that this became such a big deal, especially when no one even knows who is supposed to be offended with this.

i personally have no problem with what he said as a white male. he's speaking facts. you see it in other sports as well. the fastest guys in the nfl and nba are also not white. the fastest man in the world is black. it's just facts he is speaking.

so who's "supposed" to be offended here?

 

[SP33Demon]

Nobody gives a fuck, only the left leaning liberal PC "safe zone" advocates. But I will also add that of course Dusty will say nice things about Chapman - he has a 104mph fastball with the most dominant K/9 statistics for a closer the sport has ever seen. Just like Jerry Jones will defend Greg Hardy, an exceptional pass rusher. Both may very well be extremely guilty of domestic violence though, and of course they will get special treatment because they are standout talents.

 

[trenchfoot]

In some ways it doesn't matter to me whether I agree or disagree with a person's opinion and this is one of them.

What I do like is when someone like Baker offers up an honest considered opinion with candor and is willing to stand behind said opinion no matter how hot things get, right or wrong.

In my mind, Baker gets the nod over any and all politicians that have to pander to a constituency and simultaneously grovel at the feet of potential game-breaking donors and other such benefactors that demand favorable treatment in return.

 

[soulcougher73]

Truth doesnt care about sensitive PC tards. I have no idea who would be offended by this. But the truth is white people are slow in general

 

[purbeast0]

Truth doesnt care about sensitive PC tards. I have no idea who would be offended by this. But the truth is white people are slow in general

there is also a stereotype that they can't dance very well (in general) and i actually made a comment about that (being white myself) and got infracted for it...

 

[unokitty]

...so who's "supposed" to be offended here?

Racial double standards -- Dusty Baker 2003

The Revs. Messrs. Jackson and Sharpton regularly spruce up their credentials as racial gatekeepers by demanding the scalp of any public figure (white, of course) who makes a racial gaffe. If Baker were white, they'd have stormed Cubs offices and demanded his apology, or his firing, or both.

Baker, of course, is unrepentant. He bristles at being dumped into the same bigot bag with "The Greek" or Campanis. After all, they were white, and he's black, and that gives him carte blanche to say whatever he wants about blacks...

Some wayward black public officials and celebrities who were guilty of malfeasance use the racial double standard to their advantage - such as the former Washington, D.C., Mayor Marion Barry, boxer Mike Tyson, and black Baptist leader Henry Lyons.

They scream "racism" when caught doing wrong. They can get away with it because many whites regard blacks as so far outside the political and social pale that they see blacks solely as a racial monolith. They think that all blacks think, act, and sway to the same racial beat. These whites freely see the words and deeds of the chosen black leader as the standard for African-American behavior...

Baker's exercise in racial genetics was, again, proof that silly, racist remarks can come out of a black mouth as easily as out of a white mouth. But when that happens, there's little likelihood that it will draw any heat from blacks. Dusty Baker's remarks certainly didn't.

Nothing wrong with hypocrisy. That is, as long as you are a hypocrite.

Uno

 

[SP33Demon]

there is also a stereotype that they can't dance very well (in general) and i actually made a comment about that (being white myself) and got infracted for it...

That's pretty subjective. Timberlake and Federline were pretty dam good dancers. Also, dancing with the stars, look at the list of winners:

Professionals
48: Derek Hough
21: Mark Ballas
20: Cheryl Burke
19: Valentin Chmerkovskiy
17: Maksim Chmerkovskiy
14: Karina Smirnoff
11: Kym Johnson, Tony Dovolani
9: Julianne Hough, Sharna Burgess
7: Witney Carson
6: Allison Holker
4: Dmitry Chaplin, Peta Murgatroyd,
3: Lindsay Arnold
2: Anna Trebunskaya, Edyta Sliwinska
1: Alec Mazo, Louis Van Amstel

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_with_the_Stars_(U.S._TV_series)#Highest-scoring_celebrities

I don't think there's anyone black on that highest scoring celebrity list, in fact the top two highest scoring dancers on that show are white men. So you got infracted for a good reason, there's no data to support your claim.

There is, however, data that supports the claim that the best sprinters in the world are black.

 

[Ackmed]

Being offended by his claim that they need more speed, and thus need more black players is silly. "You play to win the game". Black players are generally faster. You need to get to first base as fast as you can when the play is close, you need to steal second base.

A white guy hasn't lead MLB in base stealing since 2004, before that? 1994. Most of all time? Black. Facts are facts, stereotypes usually exist for a reason. As he said, that's just how it is.

there is also a stereotype that they can't dance very well (in general) and i actually made a comment about that (being white myself) and got infracted for it...

Yeah, you have to be careful what you say, I have too. Even when I didn't think it was offensive. If someone here was to say what he said, they'd probably get a message from a mod.

 

[purbeast0]

That's pretty subjective. Timberlake and Federline were pretty dam good dancers. Also, dancing with the stars, look at the list of winners:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_with_the_Stars_(U.S._TV_series)#Highest-scoring_celebrities

I don't think there's anyone black on that highest scoring celebrity list, in fact the top two highest scoring dancers on that show are white men. So you got infracted for a good reason, there's no data to support your claim.

There is, however, data that supports the claim that the best sprinters in the world are black.

wow 10 people out of a billion (or however many white people are out there). you have proven the stereotype false. great job.

 

[SP33Demon]

wow 10 people out of a billion (or however many white people are out there). you have proven the stereotype false. great job.

Well actually it's more like 20 dancers, and in 42 countries, and the show has been running for over 10 years now. No blacks in the top 20 dancers across 42 countries, so yeah your stereotype isn't going to fly. They simply aren't better at dancing, there's no data to support it - stop watching BET or whatever shows/rap videos you watch that gave you this impression.

 

[fskimospy]

Well actually it's more like 20 dancers, and in 42 countries, and the show has been running for over 10 years now. No blacks in the top 20 dancers across 42 countries, so yeah your stereotype isn't going to fly. They simply aren't better at dancing, there's no data to support it - stop watching BET or whatever shows/rap videos you watch that gave you this impression.

That has to be one of the dumbest attempts at using data I have ever seen. The idea that winners of 'Dancing with the Stars' could be used as a proxy for racial dancing talent is forehead slapping stupidity.

 

[purbeast0]

That has to be one of the dumbest attempts at using data I have ever seen. The idea that winners of 'Dancing with the Stars' could be used as a proxy for racial dancing talent is forehead slapping stupidity.

it's SP33Demon, you can't really expect anything more from him.

 

[PokerGuy]

I have no problem with what he said and with his candor, even if it's not PC. What I have a problem with is the double standard in play again. In today's hyper sensitive PC world, he gets a pass on saying something like that because a) he's part of a minority group, and b) he's promoting a stereotype about white people, which is always acceptable with SJW idiots.

Imagine if someone else said something similar about other racial groups -- even if it's grounded in the same statistical reality. There would be cries of outrage and their head would be on a platter. What we need is for everyone to be able to speak their mind without hyper PC sensitivity, it can't just be reserved for certain groups.

 

[Ackmed]

I have no problem with what he said and with his candor, even if it's not PC. What I have a problem with is the double standard in play again. In today's hyper sensitive PC world, he gets a pass on saying something like that because a) he's part of a minority group, and b) he's promoting a stereotype about white people, which is always acceptable with SJW idiots.

Imagine if someone else said something similar about other racial groups -- even if it's grounded in the same statistical reality. There would be cries of outrage and their head would be on a platter. What we need is for everyone to be able to speak their mind without hyper PC sensitivity, it can't just be reserved for certain groups.

Sadly you are correct. What he said was 100% true. However if it was turned around the other way there would be a HUGE shitfest over it. By the usual black "leaders". It would be considered a racist remark, but as it is Baker gets a pass. Because as you said, he is a minority. Hypocrisy like this is pathetic, but also not unusual. I am not blaming Baker for anything, we need more truthful speakers.

I'm glad he said it, and have no problems with what he said. It's true, PC annoys me and I am glad he had the personal fortitude to say it like it is.

 

[Svnla]

Truth doesnt care about sensitive PC tards. I have no idea who would be offended by this. But the truth is white people are slow in general

Sir/Madam,

My white friends are hurting from your statement, they are requesting a "safe zone" to recover from all the hurt and oppression they experienced.

<tonge in cheek>

Back to the topic, the manager/coach needs to do whatever it takes to win <as long as it is legal/within the rules>.

Or are we going to have "affirmative action" program for whites? LOL.

 

[Blackjack200]

Let's say that there's some merit to Baker's statement (I have no idea if there is), and let's say that black and Latino people are generally faster in some way.

Why the hell would that matter at all? You're going to choose individuals based on their abilities. If you're choosing between two baseball players, and one is faster than the other, what in the fuck does it matter whether they fit the stereotype or not? If you need faster players on your team, go get faster players. But they probably won't hit or field as well, because if they did, they wouldn't be available, that's the tradeoff.

 

[Blackjack200]

I have no problem with what he said and with his candor, even if it's not PC. What I have a problem with is the double standard in play again. In today's hyper sensitive PC world, he gets a pass on saying something like that because a) he's part of a minority group, and b) he's promoting a stereotype about white people, which is always acceptable with SJW idiots.

Imagine if someone else said something similar about other racial groups -- even if it's grounded in the same statistical reality. There would be cries of outrage and their head would be on a platter. What we need is for everyone to be able to speak their mind without hyper PC sensitivity, it can't just be reserved for certain groups.

I'd fire him if it was my call. Does that make you feel any better?

 

[SP33Demon]

That has to be one of the dumbest attempts at using data I have ever seen. The idea that winners of 'Dancing with the Stars' could be used as a proxy for racial dancing talent is forehead slapping stupidity.

If you disagree, then provide another contest that is larger and involves more contestants globally where blacks have won more. Otherwise, stop posting because your opinion means nothing without data.

 

[Mursilis]

I'm more bothered that he defended a domestic abuser. Acknowledging that minorities (more specifically, people of West African descent, who hold something like 495 of the 500 fastest times in the 100m) are generally faster is merely stating something factual.

 

[Blackjack200]

How many Latinos are in that list?

 

[Mursilis]

How many Latinos are in that list?

The list of fastest 100m times? Probably none. I've seen no evidence that Latinos are as fast as West Africans, unless you're talking about "Latinos" who are really transplanted West Africans.

 

[fskimospy]

If you disagree, then provide another contest that is larger and involves more contestants globally where blacks have won more. Otherwise, stop posting because your opinion means nothing without data.

Dancing with the stars is not a recognized or even remotely agreed upon metric for measuring dancing talent.

Reality shows are manipulated by the producers.

If I'm not mistaken dancing with the stars involves two people dancing together, which makes individual evaluation problematic.

There is no indication that the contestants on dancing with the stars constitute a statistically valid sample of each race.

Saying a race of people are not good at dancing based on the results of a reality show competition is fucking stupid.

 

[Ackmed]

^^ True story.

I'm more bothered that he defended a domestic abuser.

Accused domestic abuser in this case. He was never arrested, police found no evidence to support her claim of being choked. Huge difference, but in this day and age, you are more guilty until proven innocent.

 

[Blackjack200]

The list of fastest 100m times? Probably none. I've seen no evidence that Latinos are as fast as West Africans, unless you're talking about "Latinos" who are really transplanted West Africans.

Oh, because he said Latinos too.

 

[Subyman]

That's pretty subjective. Timberlake and Federline were pretty dam good dancers. Also, dancing with the stars, look at the list of winners:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_with_the_Stars_(U.S._TV_series)#Highest-scoring_celebrities

I don't think there's anyone black on that highest scoring celebrity list, in fact the top two highest scoring dancers on that show are white men. So you got infracted for a good reason, there's no data to support your claim.

There is, however, data that supports the claim that the best sprinters in the world are black.

LOL at your data too. Those are the professional dancers NOT the celebrities. IN FACT, Alfonso Ribeiro swept the show recently and actually took over hosting the show. Wow.