The so called “buzz” on NYC sports “talk radio” this week branding Mets GM Omar Minaya a racist is simply ludicrous. However, the people keep calling in with their rants and the radio jocks help feed the flames, so the issue made the newspaper yesterday. In a solid article in the NY Daily News, Bob Rasmussen (who covers the sports radio scene) clearly took the issue apart and showed that this matter is nothing but a lot of hot air (with emphasis on quite an abundance of hot air).
One thing is certainly true about what Minaya has done for the team: he has greatly improved the lineup. Granted there has been a change in demographics, as Rasmussen notes in his piece: “When Minaya arrived, there were eight Latin players on the team. As the Mets head to spring training, there are 18 Latin players on the 40-man roster.” While this seems like a significant increase, it certainly is more a case of quality players being acquired who just happen to be Latin.
The thing that bothers me about these claims the most is that the callers and the wacky jocks are missing the whole point. Ever since Minaya was named GM he has striven to make the Mets a top-notch organization and first-class team. One of the finest ways he moved toward those goals was by appointing Willie Randolph as field manager. Minaya didn’t chose Willie because he is black, and anyone who claims this is the one who might be racist. Willie Randolph was chosen because he had all the right tools and necessary coaching experience to be a fine manager, and it didn’t hurt that he is a native New Yorker who grew up a Mets fan (just like Omar Minaya).
The players that Minaya has acquired since he began his tenure as GM include Paul Lo Duca and Billy Wagner (who are white). The addition of quality players such as Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltran, Pedro Martinez, and Ramon Castro are part of Minaya’s quest to make the team a serious contender and not, as these callers claim, part of some master plan to recast the Mets on the basis of race.
I am a life-long Mets fan, and I certainly welcome the changes Minaya has brought to Shea. We suffered long enough under Steve Phillips (who is white) and his less than inspiring leadership as GM. Remember his most famous flops: Roberto Alomar, Jeromy Burnitz, and Roger Cedeno? Most notably, Phillips wasted the opportunity of having arguably the best player in Mets franchise history, Mike Piazza, and was never able to build a quality team around him.
The inherent problem with something like “talk radio” is that it’s for the most part blather. The people who somehow get on there usually have something to prove to their friends (or alternately their enemies) who are listening or some kind of axe to grind. I have been listening to these shows for many years, but now I am convinced it’s time to give them up no matter how much I love sports.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - RJ Elliott
"When Minaya arrived, there were eight Latin players on the team. As the Mets head to spring training, there are 18 Latin players on the 40-man roster."
Omar Minaya is a hispanic. In his brief tenure, he has changed the composition of the Mets from 20% to 45% hispanic.
I'm not saying he's racist. In fact, I highly doubt it.
But if, say, a white GM more than doubled the white composition of an NBA team (from, say, 2 to 5 players), I would expect some backlash from the peanut gallery.
2 - Victor Lana
Your point is well taken, RJ. But I was thinking of other areas too. There are only 6 black head coaches in the NFL, but about 70% of the players are black. Interesting?
Minaya is the first Hispanic GM in MLB, and that's a good thing. It's just that these kinds of accusations, while clearly unfounded, are not representative of the great job he has been doing.
3 - sal m
this is such a non issue...but thanks to the airheads at WFAN - mike and the mad dog - and the local "talent" on ESPN radio - this drum beat of stupidity continues.
victor, the fact that you've never called in to one of these shows speaks volumes and adds to your credibility on this - and any - issue.
the hosts of these shows just like to stir up garbage so they can fill air time...by comparison if you listen to the national versions of ESPN and Fox Sports Net you get a much more mature and even handed discussion of sports - thank goodness for satellite radio!
the bottom line is that most of the best players in the league are hispanic, so as a lifelong met fan i would expect ANY met GM of any extraction to go after hispanics. perhaps the reason so many hispanics have signed with the team has something to do with how mr minaya relates to these guys. on top of that, with the largest hispanic population in the country, it makes great business sense to include hispanics on any new york team.
and i also agree with victor that to cry racism is unfair to omar. the bottom line is, "is the team better? we'll see come october.
4 - Victor Lana
Thanks for the comments, Sal. You know, in Raismussen's column he said that Minaya could put "five groundhogs and four billy goats on the field" and all that really matters is that the team wins.
There is a sort of reverse racism in these comments about Minaya. Whoever is feeding this frenzy should try to remember the "lily white" days of the old Mets when they lost 100+ games every year.
As a Mets fan, I am grateful for a man of Minaya's caliber, intelligence, and ability as GM of the team. His race or religion does not matter to me and should not be an issue for any real Mets fan (or anyone else for that matter).
5 - Zach Baker
I did call on sports radio shows when I was younger, and was on a few of them in college. There are some shows that are insightful, and others that are run by hacks.
It usually takes 10 seconds to figure out which is which.
In this day and age, I'd find it hard to believe someone could be a general manager and be racist. To be a general manager is a direct result of having an eye for talent. General managers want players who will boost wins and ticket sales. If they had any other ambition, they would not have risen to the spot.
But controversies make ratings and increase exposure. Radio hosts will use them, especially if they lack talent or real skills.
6 - MIke
I don't think Omar is racist. What Omar did is improved the team. He sign Billy Wagner (Good move) not latin. He adquire Carlos Delgado the excellent fit for our team not matter if he is latin or whatever. By the way I think Mets owners don't have any problems looking for more latin players, since it's also a marketing strategy to attract millions of latins from new york to shea.
7 - Victor Lana
MIke, you hit on something some of the callers were saying. They claim Minaya is "racist" because he wants to attract a "new fan base" (which would be all those Latin people living in NYC).
My thought on this is that the whole thing has nothing to do with racism; it has to do with common sense. Delgado is going to hit dingers and win games: pure, simple logic. If his presence also puts people in the seats, gets more people to sign up for the new Mets channel, and whatever else, who cares. That's business (and very good business I might add).
Many years ago I can remember going to games when the Dodgers were in town and Fernando Valenzuela was pitching. It was always a packed house. Was it because he was Latin? Or was it because he was a great pitcher? I think the latter is the answer.
Who puts people in the seats? Last year, Pedro MArtinez surely did whenever he started a game. Big talent, big crowd!
8 - Felipe Alou
Omar racist? No way, not like me. I am the epitome of racist. Because I am from the Dominican, I love Dominican players and my Giants have my real son (Moises) and my "Adopted" son (Pedro Feliz, also a dominican).
No matter how much these two stink it up, they will always start because I love Dominicans. The only way I would bench them is if I had Albert Pujols, who by the way, is also Dominican.
I don't care if the gringo on my bench would hit 50 HR playing 3B, I love Pedro Feliz. He the Dominican Barry Bonds.
But you know what, I may be old but if you say my mind has turned to "Cream of wheat," I'll get you fired from your radio station. I promise...unless you are Dominican, of course!
- Felipe Alou
Skipper for the San Francisco Giants (although I concede that long-in-waiting bench coach Ron Wotus should run this team, I am beloved here, no matter how much I suck)
9 - Roger
Hilarious post "Felipe." You had me dying, although most with their east-coast bias won't get it.
10 - AMAZINGGRACE
Great post Victor! "Felipe" you had me crying with laughter. Oh man, not that's what I call sarcasum. Pricelist. You should be writing for the Daily Show.
11 - Victor Lana
I love these comments, Felipe. I just need to tell you that you are my favorite Alou brother (I don't even remember the other guys' names). I wish you would bring your talent for managing east and work for Mr. Steingrabber. You'd be perfect together!
12 - Victor Lana
Thanks to a heads up, I want to correct the name of the Daily News writer. It's Bob Raissman. I apologize for not noticing this sooner.
13 - AMAZINGGRACE
Victor, did you read Joel Shermans Article in today's NY Post? I think is was better than Raissman's. He summerized it point by point.
14 - J
Minaya definitely favors Hispanic players. Everytime a player is rumored to be coming here, they are Hispanic. Mannu Ramirez, Sammy Sosa, Julio Lugo. I mean give me a break, it is obvious what he is doing.
15 - MCH
"Omar Minaya is a hispanic. In his brief tenure, he has changed the composition of the Mets from 20% to 45% hispanic."
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"I mean give me a break, it is obvious what he is doing."
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Umm, you mean, like trying to build a more competitive ballclub...?
16 - Victor Lana
All I can say is that I have been in a managerial role (as a school building principal). I simply sought the best people for my school. I would have hired a green Martian if he/she were a superb teacher.
I think everyone is missing the fact that Minaya is trying to acquire the best talent around. If these players happen to be Hispanic, so be it.
17 - Matthew T. Sussman
It's gonna be interesting to see if the Metropolitan pitching staff can hold up.
Many of their weak points were addressed: bullpen, a successor to Piazza, and a first baseman. I don't think the rumored Manny Ramirez deal would have benefited them.
But now that Kris Benson is gone, what about their starting rotation. Pedro Martinez is good for 17 wins, but beyond that it's Glavine, Trachsel, Heilman and Zambrano. Old in the front, young in the back. Not sure what to make of it.
18 - superjoe
One of Omar Minaya's first moves last year was to sign Ramon Castro to be backup catcher, a guy who batted near the Mendoza line the year before and had a career average under .220. However, he was Hispanic, while Vance Wilson and Jason Phillips---two if not great, very solid and proven backup backstops---weren't. The logic behind this head-scratcher of a move, was that Omar wanted a Spanish-speaking catcher to make his prize free-agent Pedro Martinez feel more comfortable. A few weeks later, the now-expendable Wilson was traded for another latino, Anderson Hernandez.
I don't think these moves, or the ones following, make Omar a racist. I do believe that he acquires latinos for two reasons: one, because it makes sense to make the Mets more appealing to New York hispanics, considering that hispanics are the largest demographic population in NYC. Second, and more to the point, Omar's network of baseball scouts, players, friends, and confidants happen to be hispanic, and these people---not surprisingly---have very thorough reports and knowledge of latin ballplayers. So can you blame the guy for going with information he knows and trusts?
At the same time, I think it's fair to examine (not accuse) what Omar's doing and question it (not criticize), find out more, and end the inquiry when satisfactory answers come forth. If we are allowed to question why there aren't many hispanic GMs, or black head NFL coaches, or Jewish NBA players, then we are allowed to ask why so many latins are coming to the Mets.
19 - Sean Holihan
You'll have to forgive me if I comment, I'm new here via Metsblog. But, did you just say that Jason Phillips and Vance Wilson were "great, if not solid and very proven?"
I mean, hey, I liked Wilson and Phillips too...but Phillips just signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays after losing his job with the Dodgers. And you're going to complain about Hernandez for Wilson?! Wilson hit below the Mendoza line last year for the Tigers. Hernandez may just be the secondbaseman of the future for the Mets. Kind of a good trade for us I think.
20 - Jeff
I would not call Omar a racist but I would call him a "favortist". There is absolutely no question he favors the Hispanic player. It doesn't mean he is incompetent, I just want him to admit to it. An incorrect statement Victor are your numbers based strictly on the 40 man roster. Omar has signed multiple other Latin players that aren't even protected on the 40 man. The totals will go up even higher. This is not intended that EVERY player will be Latin. Whether it's because of contacts, scouts, increase attendance or other reason, just fess up already. I don't think anyone has a problem with the acquistions of the higher caliber player the questions arise from the bench, fringe players ie.J. Franco, J. Valentin, E. Chavez.
21 - Chris
While I don't think Minaya is racist, I do think there was enough smoke there to cause this fire he is now dealing with. The moves of Delgado, Beltran or even A. Hernandez don't bother me one bit. It's the smaller moves that caught me off guard. I got a little worried when I see Minaya pass on Eric Byrnes for Endy Chavez?!?! Pursuing Hernandez and Molina before settling for LoDuca. Signing injury prone, hole-in-my-glove Jose Valetin? The biggest eyebrow raiser was Minaya doing everything to protect Zambrano. I thought he warranted shipping before anyone. If Minaya really wants to prove himself to be the guy who really, really clears the air of Steve Philip and Jim Duquette's stink, then he should get rid of Zambrano, who is arguably the biggest embarrassment ever in Mets history considering what we gave up for him. The trade was universally panned, cost Duquette his job and made Minaya's job that much harder in pursuing free agents.
On a separate note, I am not sure it's appropriate how Minaya has been marketing Los Mets. It's kinda silly if you ask me. It shouldn't matter who is on the team and what race they are. He said it himself. If ithat's true, then I don't think there is any reason to specifically market towards ANY race or ethnic group. The fact that he is Latin and he's marketing towards the Latin fanbase only encouraged people to pick on him about the subject.
Lastly, I was watching the 86 Mets video "A Year to Remember" recently. It was interesting to see how the black stars highlights like Gooden, Straw and Mitchell were minimal when comapared to Carter, Knight, Dykstra and Hernandez. I don't think it was by coincidence either. It was a shame to see.
22 - Felipe Alou
Thanks for the compliments, but I only tell the truth!
Victor: I know I have a brother named Jesus, but I can't remember the name of my other brother.
But don't you dare say my mind has turned to cream of wheat. I'll start publicly saying you should go to hell if you do so.
Unless you are Dominican!
Dominicans can do no wrong!!!
23 - Victor Lana
Felipe, wasn't your other brother Chico Escuela? Baseball was very good to him, you know. And you too, it would seem.
By the way, after Tug McGraw, Ed Kranepool, and Willie Agee, Chico is my favorite all-time Met.
You gotta believe, man!
24 - Elliot S
None of the moves I've seen Minaya make have ever taken me aback as far as possible favoritism. Once we pan back to the larger picture we see this trend and begin to wonder, but each of the individual moves have had some sort of logical thought (whether you agree or not) beyond homeland.
Pedro, Beltran, and Delgado were all obvious moves that were universally praised. What better ideas were there to fill their particular spots that weren't latino? The obviously-inferior Thome instead of Delgado? Millwood instead of Pedro? Come on.
The decision to use Castro instead of Wilson/Phillips (yeah I get the joke) paid off wonderfully. Roberto Hernandez was a typical low-risk non-roster invitee who earned his way into the pen and proved his worth all year. Signing Franco makes perfect sense, in my mind he's the league's top pinch hitter. The Valentin contract isn't too smart, but then again neither is the Bret Boone deal and I'm pretty sure he's white.
Minaya not only passed up on getting one of the two premiere Latino catchers on the market, but traded a top Dominican prospect to get white Lo Duca. That's the deal-breaker for me as far as this argument goes. If ethnicity was any real factor in the decision, Hernandez or Molina would be a Met right now; in fact no one linked the Mets to Lo Duca at any point until the deal went through.
25 - Victor Lana
Elliot,
You bring up great points to strengthen my argument. Minaya has a vision for the team and also wants to expand its fan base. Nothing wrong with that. He is also protecting Lastings Millidge (black minor leaguer) even though he has been requested in almost every trade discussion. He could have probably swung the Manny Ramierez trade if he included Lastings and did not.
Minaya said himself last week that he couldn't believe it was 2006 and we were still having this conversation (about racism and the like). Sadly, because of the intolerant and ignorant people in the world, the conversation unfortunately continues.