The Michigan Wolverines on Monday shutout Florida State 2-0 at the College World Series in Omaha to ensure a spot among the final four teams in the tournament. Tommy Henry pitched a complete game shutout with 10 strikeouts, while Jordan Nwogu and Jesse Franklin scored the team’s two runs.
This is the Wolverines’ first time playing in the College World Series since 1984, and they’ve already had a great showing. One thing that stands out about the Wolverines’ roster is how much diversity they have compared to many of their competitors. A number of their players are black, including three student-athletes from Chicago.
During the team’s game against the Seminoles, head coach Erik Bakich was asked about building a diverse roster and told ESPN they target a lot of inner-city kids on purpose.
Michigan baseball coach Erik Bakich gave a great answer to explain how he recruits.
"We think our roster should look like the United States of America."
: ESPN pic.twitter.com/JkPx7RzX9L— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) June 18, 2019
“We want to have a diverse roster, and we want to provide an opportunity for kids all over the country that we can,” Bakich said.
Bakich isn’t the first person to point out how the expenses associated with travel ball and showcases have made it seem like you have to be rich to play. But that isn’t the case, and Bakich aims to prove that.
In MLB, as of 2017, fewer than seven percent of players in MLB were African American. Michigan’s baseball team appears to have around triple that mark.
“You know, the first year I was here, there were no minority players on our team,” Bakich said for a February article in the Michigan Daily. “Maybe this is just a personal philosophy or preference, but I just feel that at this school, especially given its legacy, our roster should look like the United States of America.”
Michigan was once coached by Branch Rickey, the general manager who signed Jackie Robinson to break the color barrier in MLB. Bakich is trying to carry in that tradition.
Why is it important to have diversity on a team and in baseball in general? Those concerned about the health and appeal of the sport — which all fans should be — should want the best and most exciting athletes in the world playing baseball so that the level of competition is elevated. Top athletes need to feel welcome in the game in order to play it and pursue careers in it. If you’re an African American athlete and you don’t see fellow African Americans on rosters, you might not feel the sport is meant for you. Bakich is doing his part to change that — and he is enjoying success as a result.
