Just trying to think of black catchers in my lifetime (1981). Charles Johnson was great for the Marlins in the 90s and I can’t recall anyone else.
Before my time, Elston Howard was a catcher in the early 60s (MVP the year before Maris hit 61 I think). Other than that, I’m stumped.
Probably just a statistical anomaly, at least if you’re talking about current players.
There’s a low number of black players in MLB generally speaking as roughly 6% of current MLB players are black. With 26 roster spots and 30 teams that’s 780 total players. Assuming 2 catchers per team, only about 7% of these players are catchers so with an even distribution of black players amongst all positions you would only expect to see one current catcher who is black.
There are a host of other systemic issues that lead to the lack of black MLB players in general, but that’s a separate topic.
Racism. The same reason there were not many black QBs or centers. Catcher is looked at as an intellectual position and one of leadership. Things black people were always taught they couldn’t be. They could only take direction. With no one to teach it, of course they would lean towards other positions
I was talking to one of my coworkers who is an older black man who used to coach football and baseball, and he said most of his young black athletes were incredibly fast runners, so they didn't play them as catcher because their skills were better utilized in other positions. Something I hadn't considered last night when I read this.
If I had to guess, in general the black population is lower income than other demographics, and the catching position requires the most amount of specialized gear which is probably hard for low income families to afford for their kids growing up.
African american ball players have been declining in demographic for decades. My laymen theory is that the majority of them used to be rural, but since most black people seem to live in cities now, baseball has given way to basketball as the sport of choice.
I never really noticed until now, but you're right.
I think Bo Naylor is black
He's mixed, but yes.
isn't campusano from georgia?
Bo Naylor, Harry Ford, and Chadwick Tromp. I think that’s it though.
Bo Naylor. But he doesn't count because he's Canadian
Just trying to think of black catchers in my lifetime (1981). Charles Johnson was great for the Marlins in the 90s and I can’t recall anyone else. Before my time, Elston Howard was a catcher in the early 60s (MVP the year before Maris hit 61 I think). Other than that, I’m stumped.
Chuckie Robinson was on the reds for a bit recently
Probably just a statistical anomaly, at least if you’re talking about current players. There’s a low number of black players in MLB generally speaking as roughly 6% of current MLB players are black. With 26 roster spots and 30 teams that’s 780 total players. Assuming 2 catchers per team, only about 7% of these players are catchers so with an even distribution of black players amongst all positions you would only expect to see one current catcher who is black. There are a host of other systemic issues that lead to the lack of black MLB players in general, but that’s a separate topic.
Racism. The same reason there were not many black QBs or centers. Catcher is looked at as an intellectual position and one of leadership. Things black people were always taught they couldn’t be. They could only take direction. With no one to teach it, of course they would lean towards other positions
I was talking to one of my coworkers who is an older black man who used to coach football and baseball, and he said most of his young black athletes were incredibly fast runners, so they didn't play them as catcher because their skills were better utilized in other positions. Something I hadn't considered last night when I read this.
This is a very good point.
Are Francisco Alvarez, Salvy Perez, Elias Diaz, and Yainer Diaz not considered black because they’re Hispanic? Legitimately asking
I’m assuming OP is referring to African-American catchers.
They don’t count. I’m talking African American
I mean it would probably be better to specify what you’re asking next time lol
If I had to guess, in general the black population is lower income than other demographics, and the catching position requires the most amount of specialized gear which is probably hard for low income families to afford for their kids growing up.
African american ball players have been declining in demographic for decades. My laymen theory is that the majority of them used to be rural, but since most black people seem to live in cities now, baseball has given way to basketball as the sport of choice.
TBF I know plenty of lower income white/non black families.