Los Angeles, CA – (News4usOnlline) – It has been 78 years since Jackie Robinson debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers, breaking the MLB color barrier, and it feels like the number of Black stars in baseball is headed in the wrong direction.
Mookie Betts is one of the best players in the game and a shining example of what a superstar should look like. Still, after him, there are very few household-name African American players for the next generation to gravitate towards for inspiration.
“In the NBA or NFL, it is balanced. Baseball is not as balanced, so why am I chasing baseball? I can name Mookie Betts, but I can not name enough to say I want to play baseball. There are not enough of us there. The kids need something to see. You have to see it to want it,” said Barry Bonds during a recent All the Smoke podcast appearance.
“When I played baseball, you had me, Ken Griffey Jr., Eric Davis, Ozzie Smith, Willie McGee, Andre Dawson, and on and on and on. I could name a ton of inspiring Black athletes on the field to inspire other Black kids to want to play,” said Bonds.
Betts is carrying a lot of weight on his shoulders, but he is strong enough to handle it. Playing for the same franchise as the legendary Robinson, Betts is also starting to cement himself as an all-time great and has done it with class every step of the way.
He has an MVP Award, a batting title, and three World Series rings. On any given night, he can surpass even the greatness of Shohei Ohtani and be the best player on the best team in the world.
The Dodgers’ popularity has reached a new height it has never seen before, and Betts is at the center of it. He is one of the most beloved athletes in Los Angeles, regardless of sport.
Only time will tell, but he could be inspiring the next great generation of Black baseball players as we speak, repopulating the number of stars in the league.
“I know it is really cliche, but if you can dream it, you can do it. It all starts with a dream. We all dreamed of being in this locker room, and we just did the work it took to get here. I would say whatever you dream, you can achieve. Sometimes you will go through some ups and some downs, but you have to stay the course,” said Betts.
Betts is a super athlete who excels at just about anything he picks up. What makes him unique is that his height limits his potential as an NBA prospect, and his weight is not ideal for taking on the beating of an NFL player.
Trying to make it as a professional athlete in the United States is tough, and any restraint could discourage young athletes. An entire demographic of kids needs a Mookie Betts to look up to so that someone can show them baseball is for everyone, regardless of race or stature.
Even though there are fewer Black stars than in the past, Betts’ manager, Dave Roberts, has still seen progress and gives his shortstop a lot of credit.
“There are more people of color than I have ever seen, and I think Mookie is a big reason for that. Today, Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) said that Jackie (Robinson) helped him do things the right way. Mookie understands this role. He doesn’t always feel comfortable speaking out, but living a certain way, treating people a certain way, playing a certain way, I think that is something he understands is a responsibility for him,” said Roberts.
Betts clarified postgame after the Dodgers beat the Rockies on Jackie Robinson Day that he does not like getting into all of the race aspects of the game, but acknowledges the history and knows how important it is to continue to pass on the legacy that Robinson created.
“It is always special getting to put on that (#42) jersey. Fortunately, I have been able to do it for a while now, and hopefully, I can do it for a long time more, but just understanding what it means is the most important thing,” said Betts.
If Robinson could hand-pick a modern-day player who represents the values that he stood for, Betts would be a fantastic first choice. He is the type of athlete who leads by example, letting his play and actions do most of the talking.
The game is flowing with talent from all over the globe, and Black stars have diminished, but luckily, Mookie Betts is here as an example for young ball players who aspire to be like him.
Featured Image: Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts in defensive action against the Colorado Rockies on April 15, 2025. Photo credit: Dennis J. Freeman/News4usOnline
Benjamin Verbrugge is a reporter for News4usonline who studied journalism at CSU Dominguez Hills. “Sports have brought me much joy throughout my life, and I want to give a little back to something that has meant so much to me.” Email Benjamin at benverbrugge8@gmail.com.
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