Dusty Baker: ‘Latin and African-Americans’ bring more speed

Dusty Baker put his foot in his mouth a second time on Tuesday with cringeworthy remarks about how Latin and African-American players bring the most speed to teams, and how you can use that need to help yourself “with the need for minorities.”

Baker made the remarks in an interview with ASAP Sports at the league’s winter meetings, answering a question about roster shortcomings he’d like the Nationals to address.

“I think that’s the number one thing that’s missing, I think, in the game is speed,” Baker said. “You know, with the need for minorities, you can help yourself — you’ve got a better chance of getting some speed with Latin and African-Americans. I’m not being racist. That’s just how it is.”

There was no reason for Baker to suddenly go off on that tangent. Maybe he thinks he’s doing someone a favor by point it out, but he isn’t. Between Baker’s blatant stereotyping, the “help yourself” comment, and his comments earlier Tuesday ignorantly defending Aroldis Chapman, it has not been a good day for Dusty. It’s not really surprising, though. This is the same guy who once said that black and Hispanic players have an easier time coping with playing in the heat.