Skip to main content

Linked in More Ways Than One: Sabathia Can Influence R.B.I. Result on Mound


As we approach another celebration of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King's accomplishments and dedication to humanity, we all pause to reflect on the times - the here and now. Dr. King's dream is the closest it has ever been to becoming a reality in 2009, and that is evident with the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. For years American history has been linked with Major League Baseball, as our national past time has mirrored the changes, accomplishments, and perseverance of our nation. However, as we march toward inauguration day for President Obama, and closer to Dr. King's dream, the state of Major League Baseball and it's ties to American history have never been as far apart as they are today.

As the nation prepares to celebrate and welcome the first African-American president of the United States, baseball continues to watch the diversity of it's game suffer. The past presidential election reaped a new record high in votes for African-Americans in the political process, a sheer, utter, and obvious cause of President Obama's participation, and President George Bush's futility. In the past, yours truly has touched base on the importance of African-American participation in baseball for African-Americans (Dome Pondering Import: Young, Gifted, and Black), our culture, and the great game of baseball (Opportunity a Forgotten Substance), as well as the reasons for the decline and candidates to revive the participation (Chance and Risk: The Future of the African-American Baseball Player).

One of the potential candidates to become a catalyst for African-American interest in the latter posting in June of 2007 was C.C. Sabathia. Sabathia, an active member in Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (R.B.I.), was recently thrusted into the spotlight due to his remarkable performance at the end of the 2008 season, receiving the highest contract in baseball history, and signing with the New York Yankees history. Sabathia, a former Cy Young winner, who boasts a powerful pitching arsenal and carries himself with the respect for himself and the game, as well as a certain individualistic swagger with his hat cocked to the side, now combines that all with the media exposure of playing for the New York Yankees, in the biggest "inner-city" in the world.

Sabathia can be the guy.

All the tools are in place for Sabathia to take off in this role. A huge void left by Ken Griffey Jr. A role for which Sabathia, like President Obama, can help the baseball aspirations and ambition of America's inner city youth, and make them believe once again, "Yes We Can". A role he can help re-tie Baseball history with that of our nation's, and create a better tomorrow. And most importantly, a role in which he can continue to keep The Dream alive.

Recently Read

Was It Ever Real?

Does time change me? Or, did I evolve through experience? How many signals did I miss? Or, did I choose this fate? Do I understand the wrongs and regrets? Or, did I act with the best interest in the moment? What did they say about me? And, what will they say about me today? Was I appreciated? Or, did I imagine that? What were the opinions in the shadows? And, what were the feelings expressed before me? Is it a misunderstanding?  Or, a matter of not confirming?  Why didn’t it last? Or, was it never meant to? …ever able to? Was it ever real? Some of it? Part of it?

Pondering with Plumtree:Having Fun: Ponderings From #TNANYC 1/7 & 1/9 Tapings

Pondering with Plumtree is a column on the popular blog, TNAsylum, that is written by yours truly. The blog is focused towards being a fan site for TNA Wrestling fans where they can get news, rumors, opinions, and any and everything else, TNA Wrestling. Known as "The Haven for TNA Wrestling Fans", I'm hoping to bring some of my thoughts to an already impressive roster of columnist for as long as the site will have me. You can read the latest column here , or in the text below.

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 2/23/25

3 Up   1. New Old Cookbook - I thought this was really cool. The oldest published cookbook just got a remake and is now available. The cookbook, by Malinda Russell, is 160 years old. There has to be some really good (clean) stuff in that book. It's also Black History Month (are we still allowed to push that?), and there's a lot of history and significance that can be found through food.  2. Frankie Munoz - This dude went from Malcolm in the Middle and decided, I'm gonna be a race car driver! Munoz finished 10th recently in his debut as a NASCAR driver.  3. Yankees Policy - It's about time. The Yankees really were eventually going to find themselves in something MUCH uglier than a narrative surrounding "would George have done this?!" or "Why, this is the Yankee way!". Kudos to Hal Steinbrenner for the move.  3 Down 1. Another Plane Crash - This one in Toronto. A place landed on its roof. What is going on out there? Doesn't help when you read and ...