Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 13, 1993 TAG: 9301130152
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: GRAPEVINE, TEXAS LENGTH: Medium
JACKSON CALLS FOR INTEGRATION OF FRONT OFFICES
The Rev. Jesse Jackson presented his 14-point agenda to baseball owners Tuesday and called on current players to join his campaign for the integration of front offices.Jackson spoke to owners for about 45 minutes and had a short conversation with Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott, who made a surprise appearance at the major league meeting but didn't speak during it, according to executive council chairman Bud Selig. Alleged racial remarks attributed to Schott renewed debate on baseball's hiring practices.
"She has done grave injury to our society and to the game of baseball," Jackson said at a news conference. "She must be removed or suspended from baseball, at the least, for a period of time. She must be fined and she must be rehabilitated."
Jackson said his exchange with Schott wasn't too significant and that his concern was a broader effort to increase minority hiring of all pro sports teams, colleges, television networks and newspapers. Schott is scheduled to answer the allegations in a Jan. 22 meeting with the ruling executive council.
"To keep focus on her and to martyr her would be to take away focus from the real problem in athletics," Jackson said. "We're moving on beyond that."
Jackson cited statistics compiled by the commissioner's office that show blacks have comprised 9 percent of employees in club offices since 1989. The figures show minority employees increased from 9 percent in 1988 to 15 percent the following year to 17 percent in 1992.
"I am fully convinced the owners themselves know their policies are wrong, that it is time for a change," said Jackson, accompanied by a delegation that included the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Selig, president of the Milwaukee Brewers, called Jackson's speech reasoned and said he and National League president Bill White - who is black - will formulate baseball's reply expeditiously.
Jackson has called for selective boycotts this season if teams don't formulate affirmative action plans. Selig wouldn't publicly respond to that threat.
In other business:
The teams unanimously approved the sale of the San Francisco Giants from Bob Lurie to a group headed by Safeway Inc. chairman Peter Magowan.
The executive council appointed an eight-person search committee for a new commissioner: Jackie Autry of California, Bill Bartholomay of Atlanta, Paul Beeston of Toronto, Douglas Danforth of Pittsburgh, Fred Kuhlmann of St. Louis, Carl Pohlad of Minnesota, Haywood Sullivan of Boston and Fred Wilpon of the New York Mets.
Beeston and Wilpon gave an interim report from the committee restructuring the commissioner's job. Selig said he hoped for a final report in 2-to-6 weeks.
John Harrington of the Red Sox reported on surveys of fan reception to the possibility expanded playoffs. Selig said the matter wouldn't be addressed in depth until at least March.
Jackson proposed that White, whose term as NL president expires in March, be considered for commissioner. White repeated that he wasn't interested. "I've conveyed that to everyone in the world," White said.
Jackson also mentioned Hank Aaron as a possibility for commissioner. Jackson asked that more minorities be hired as umpires and by the players' association. He said the union had been silent about Schott, although union head Donald Fehr criticized her alleged remarks after they became public last fall.
Jackson said his Rainbow Commission on Fairness in Athletics will meet in Washington on Feb. 26-27 and attempt to involve government officials in its effort.