By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports Editor
I like to think of this weekend through today, Tuesday, as a time of great celebration for Major League Baseball. The festivities began with the MLB draft, only slightly comparable to the NFL’s version, certainly less ostentatious. The initiatives embarked upon years ago to increase minority participation seems finally to be paying dividends as 9 of the 30 first round picks were Black, including Wake Forest pitcher Chase Burns and Tennessee second baseman Christian Moore. The Cleveland Gaurdians, for the very first time, had the first pick in the’24 draft thanks to lottery fortunes and selected Australian Travis Bazzana, a second baseman who played collegiately at Oregon State. Although Wake Forest of the ACC had a mediocre season, finishing with a 15-15 record after being eliminated in regional play, they had three of the top ten picks: right-hander Chase Burns (No. 2 overall, Reds), first baseman Nick Kurtz (No. 4, A’s) and shortstop Seaver King (No. 10, Nationals).
Coming on the heels of a tremendously, successful draft, MLB held the very popular Home Run Derby in Arlington, Texas. Teoscar Hernandez became the first LA Dodger to win the derby after 13 others had attempted, hitting 28 home runs of 425 plus feet, 16 more than the next closest player and the oldest at 31 years old since David Ortiz in 2010. Hernandez defeated Kansas City Royals second baseman Bobby Witt, Jr. when Witt’s last at bat fell just short of a tying home run.
The MLB’s amazing week concludes tonight with the all-star game (last night) featuring the year’s best players in the American and National leagues competing against each other. Aaron Judge and Juan Soto of the New York Yankees endeavored to solve rookie pitching sensation Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Finally, I got really excited when I learned that Randy Flores, Alabama State University second baseman, was drafted in round 8 by the Los Angeles Angels while North Carolina A & T catcher Canyan Brown was chosen in round nine by the Kansas City Royals. We are HBCU proud.
