While it hasn’t been a meteoric surge, we’ve seen a slight rise of Black and brown ballplayers on Major League rosters. Just a few years ago, Black and brown ballplayers made up just over 7 percent of Opening Day rosters.

 

According to MLBbro.com, Black and brown ballplayers comprised 10.3 % of Opening Day rosters in April, with just over half of MLB teams starting Black and brown players. For those of a certain age, the numbers are still very low, but there is some progress.

 

In fact, a pair of former All-Star MLBbros are at the forefront of trying to improve those future numbers. And when you consider the rise of travel teams within youth sports and the organizations supporting them, it could be just a matter of time.

 

Mo Vaughn and Tom “Flash” Gordon Work With Perfect Game To Grow the Game

 

Former American League MVP Mo Vaughn and standout reliever Tom “Flash” Gordon have cultivated a working relationship with Perfect Game, the world’s largest elite youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service.

 

Founded in 1995 by former scout and college coach Jerry Ford, Perfect Game currently produces over 9,800+ events, hundreds of thousands of games, and showcases each year across the country. 

 

 

Founder and operator of the Vaughn Sports Academy in Boca Raton, Fla. Vaughn stated it was when he began to work with his son in Little League that got him back in the sport. “When I left the game, I really didn’t have a desire to be a part of baseball”, Vaughn told MLBbro.com.

 

“However, when my son started playing T-ball and started to show more of an interest in the game, it slowly brought me back around. It gave me the opportunity to spend more time with him and offer him my expertise. I’m very thankful that it brought me “back home” to the sport.

 

 

Known as the “Hit Dog” for his prowess at the plate and his towering frame, Vaughn was one of the most feared hitters in the American League throughout the 1990’s, winning the AL MVP award in 1995 after hitting .300 with 39 home runs and a league-leading 126 RBI. 

 

 

He slugged at least 33 home runs six straight years (1995-2000), making three All-Star teams over that span. A 12-year veteran of the major leagues, Vaughn finished his career with a .293 batting average, 270 doubles, 328 home runs, 1,064 RBI and a .906 OPS for the Boston Red Sox (1991-98), Anaheim Angels (1999-2000) and New York Mets (2002-03).

 

 

Not long after retiring and becoming a coach for his son’s league, Vaughn expanded his involvement in youth sports and developed his academy. Using similar philosophies as Perfect Game, the academy provides “athletes with the tools they need to succeed in sports and in life”. 

 

It’s no surprise that Vaughn would eventually be approached by Perfect Game chairman Rick Thurman a year ago about joining the organization. However, the former Seton Hall standout was skeptical initially. 

 

“At first, I was just looking to invest in the organization”, said Vaughn. “Once me and Rick started talking, I realized we were on the same page regarding the development of the kids and their talents”.

 

“In my opinion, Perfect Game is one of the greatest youth organizations in the country. I’m looking forward to discovering untapped baseball talent around the country by going to places where Perfect Game currently isn’t to find the players that maybe aren’t being seen as often as they should be.”

 

Mo Vaughn Will Be Evaluating Talent Of The Future 

 

Vaughn will collaborate with Perfect Game’s network of scouts and coaches to identify promising young baseball talent. Said Thurman, “Mo is a huge addition to the Perfect Game family, both literally and figuratively. His stature in the baseball community cannot be understated as he is as beloved off the diamond as he was feared on it.”

 

Ironically for Gordon, a teammate of Vaughn’s for three seasons in Boston, it was also his family ties to the game that initially attracted him to Perfect Game, “My youngest son, Nick began playing travel ball when he was 9 years old,” said the Florida native.

 

“Helping him to develop as a player gave me the opportunity to see the kind of quality baseball talent in the state of Florida”, said Gordon. “The main thing that I tried to instill in him and the other kids was to develop good habits and consistent habits.”

 

“I’ve been very lucky to be on the ground floor of this growth in travelball. My vision has been to encourage young athletes of all ages and skill-sets to embrace their abilities. At the end of the day, it’s the kids that set the standard. We’re just here to give them the tools.”

 

It’s been a complete family affair for Gordon as he was assisted by his brother, Anthony Gordon and his cousin Clyde “Pork Chop” Pough, who both played professional baseball. Anthony was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 26th round of the 1987 MLB Amateur Draft and played 7 minor league seasons.

 

 

Pough was drafted in the third round by the Cleveland Indians a year later and played seven seasons in the minors followed by one season in the Mexican League and five in the Atlantic League.

 

Eventually, Nick would go on to be named the Florida Gatorade Player of the Year as a high school junior in 2013. A year later, Gordon was tabbed as the fifth overall pick in the MLB Amateur Draft by the Minnesota Twins.

 

On April 23, 2021, Gordon was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut on May 6 as Minnesota’s starting second baseman against the Texas Rangers, At the time, he joined his paternal half-brother, Dee Strange-Gordon as another brother combo in the majors.

 

Tom “Flash” Gordon Was An Elite Closer

 

“Flash” was selected in the sixth round of the 1986 MLB Amateur Draft by the Kansas City Royals. His professional baseball career spanned 22 years from 1986-2009. In 1998, he won the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award and led the American League in saves and in games finished. 

 

From 1998-99, he set a then-MLB record with 54 consecutive saves. Gordon was also the only pitcher in MLB history with 100 wins, saves and holds and was a World Series Champion in 2008. 

 

 

A 3-time All-Star, “Flash” currently serves as the Head of Community Relations and Special Advisor to the President, Jerry Ford. In his role, Gordon helps coach young student athletes, participate in local community and charity events as well as hosting marquee Perfect Game events.

 

Gordon added that reaching out to the small towns of the country will help to locate the Black and brown players that have fallen in the cracks.

 

“We want to find those diamonds in the rough and give them a true opportunity in the game”, Gordon said.

 

“We’re looking to turn this into a great stage for these kids while continuing to inspire them. We want to unify many young athletes and families of all ages and backgrounds through their love for the game of baseball.”

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