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Players of color plentiful in World Series despite lack of Black players

Fred Jeter | 11/3/2022, 6 p.m.
For the first time since 1950, there are zero African-American players on either World Series 26-man opening roster.

For the first time since 1950, there are zero African-American players on either World Series 26-man opening roster.

There are numerous players of color on both the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies, but none are African-American, meaning people of African ancestry born in the U.S.

Players of color on the Phillies’ original World Series roster include shortstop Edmundo Sosa (from Panama), second baseman Jean Segura (Dominican Republic), and pitchers Seranthony Dominguez (Dominican) and Jose Alvarado and Ranger Suarez (both from Venezuela).

Managed by African-American Dusty Baker, the Astros’ roster has perhaps a record 14 play- ers of color, all from the Caribbean, Mexico or South America.

They are pitchers Hector Neris, Bryan Abreu, Luis Garcia, Cristian Javier, Jose Urquidy and Framber Valdez.

Also included are infielders Jose Altuve, Aledmys Diaz, Maurico Dubon, Yuli Gurriel and Jeremy Pena, plus outfielder Yordan Alvarez and catchers Martin Maldonado and Christian Vasquez.

The last time there were no African-Americans on either roster was 1950 when the New York Yankees played the Phillies.

Overall, Major League Baseball is only about 12 percent African-American but nearly 30 percent players of color.

Since 1964 there have been nine African-American MVPs – Bob Gibson and Reggie Jackson (twice each), Frank Robinson, Donn Clendenon, Willie Stargell, Dave Stewart, Derek Jeter, Jermaine Dye and George Springer.

There have been many more players of color MVPs from other nations, most recently the Atlanta Braves’ Jorge Soler (Cuba) last year.