Major League Baseball Announces “MLB University” to Foster Career Development & Diverse Leadership in Baseball

Major League Baseball Announces “MLB University” to Foster Career Development & Diverse Leadership in Baseball

by | Nov 18, 2022 | THE LEAD OFF

Major League Baseball today announced “MLB University,” a new career development program designed to prepare diverse, mid-level front office professionals for advancement to senior baseball operations or on-field roles. MLB University will be modeled as both a substantive training curriculum that will teach the skills necessary to succeed in a baseball operations department or on-field role as well as an ongoing mentorship and networking opportunity.

Each MLB Club has nominated one non-senior level professional who has a diverse personal background.  Additionally, five members of the Buck O’Neil Professional Scouts & Coaches Association also have been nominated to participate in this new program. The inaugural MLB University class participated in its first session of the 10-month course earlier this week. The MLB University members will participate in semi-monthly training sessions, via zoom, that will cover a full-range of topics front-offices face, including:

  • Roster Management
  • Payroll & CBT Accounting
  • Player Contracts
  • Salary Arbitration
  • Amateur Draft & International Talent System
  • Analytics
  • Major & Minor League Operations
  • Medical Administration
  • Related topics governed by the Basic Agreement, Major League Rules and MLB Regulations.

The program, which was developed over the course of the last several months, is being led by Michael Hill (MLB Senior Vice President, On-Field Operations). The sessions will be run by various senior members of the League’s Baseball & On-Field Operations, Economics and Labor areas. Importantly, senior-level MLB officials will be involved in both training sessions and ongoing mentoring opportunities, including Tony Reagins (MLB Chief Baseball Development Officer), Morgan Sword (MLB Executive Vice President, Baseball Operations),Theo Epstein (MLB Consultant), and Hill. This group along with Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. will meet with the MLB University members at the Baseball Winter Meetings in San Diego for a scheduled in-person training and networking reception.

“MLB University is going to be a critical component of our efforts to make sure that the talent at our middle executive levels receive both the training and industry mentorship that will put them into the best position for success in senior baseball operations or on-field roles,” said Commissioner Manfred. “We are excited about the curriculum we have developed that is designed to teach a wide range of front office skills. Mike has the full support of our office and our 30 Clubs to ensure these individuals have every opportunity to advance.”

“I am excited about the launch of MLB University and the work ahead to help develop and mentor the future leaders of our game,” said Hill. “MLB University was designed to identify high-ceiling diverse candidates and provide the critically important opportunities of training, exposure and access needed for a young person’s growth and to advance their careers. Under Commissioner Manfred’s leadership, this program will allow us to create a deeper pipeline of diverse young talent for future baseball operations leadership roles.”

 

MLB University is the latest component of MLB-led efforts to improve diverse representation of baseball operations and on-field roles. Entry-level pipeline programs for minority and female candidates include the MLB Diversity Fellowship, Take The Field and the Diversity Pipeline Scouting & Coaching Development programs. Currently, 88% of all MLB Diversity Fellows have full-time employment within Baseball, while nearly 30 Take The Field participants have been hired by MLB or Major/Minor League Clubs. The inaugural Scouting Development Program in 2021 led to 18 new hires and seven Club personnel receiving promotions into new roles. The Development Program, which is operated at the Arizona Fall League, expanded in 2022 to include coaching opportunities as well as additional slots for the scouting component.

by | Jul 26, 2022 | FRONT STREET

Deceased MLBbro Pioneers Buck O’Neil & Minnie Minoso Finally Get Their Long Overdue Hall of Fame Plaques

Negro League Black Knights Get Long Overdue Call To The Hall of Fame | Buck O’Neil Finally Gets His Flowers

Negro League Black Knights Get Long Overdue Call To The Hall of Fame | Buck O’Neil Finally Gets His Flowers

by | Dec 7, 2021 | THE LEAD OFF

Though it may have been too long in coming, Buck O’Neil finally got his call to the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

O’ Neil joined five other all-time greats who earned their place on the game’s all-time team. The other posthumous inductees  joining Buck — a great ambassador of the Negro Leagues — are Minnie Miñoso and Bud Fowler, a Black player who had a trailblazing career in the 19th century.

This class also includes MLB greats Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, and the great Tony Oliva in the 2022 Hall of Fame Class that will be inducted during ceremonies scheduled for July 24 in Cooperstown, New York.

Arguably the face of the Negro Leagues, having been featured prominently in Ken Burns documentary “Baseball”, O’Neil was among a group of six players who were a part of the class that includes two other players who were groomed in the Negro Leagues while they were racially locked out by the game’s color barrier.

John “Buck” O’Neil, played for the Memphis Red Sox and Kansas City Monarchs as a first baseman and manager in the Negro League from 1937 to 1948. In 1962.

He became the first Black coach and scout for the MLB’s Chicago Cubs for only one year.

Buck O’Neil was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on December 5 2021O’Neil had a brilliant playing career in the Negro Leagues from 1937 to 1955.

He played for the Memphis Red Sox of the Negro American League in 1937 and also for the Kansas City Monarchs, who went on to win four consecutive Negro American League pennants while on that roster.

However, O’Neil made his greatest impact off the field in the decades that followed. His coaching career began as a player-manager for the Monarchs from 1948 to 1955. The Chicago Cubs ultimately hired him as a scout before promoting him to the full time coaching staff.

Miñoso, who died at 89 in 2015, played three years in the Negro Leagues before joining the Cleveland [Guardians] organization prior to the 1949 season. In 1951 he reached the Major Leagues and became a full-time player with the White Sox, and made an immediate impact.

Minoso was second in the 1951 rookie of the year voting and was a seven American League All-Star with the White Sox and won three Gold Gloves as an outfielder.

He is noted historically for becoming the first Afro-Latino to play in the Major Leagues in 1948 when he was signed by the Cleveland franchise.

MLB regards Fowler as a journeyman who played for several teams during his career, which took place before most modern stats were recorded.

Fowler began making his mark on the sport in the minor leagues 75 years before Jackie Robinson changed the complexion of baseball in 1947.  He is also acknowledged as the first Black professional player in 1878 before there were any organized Negro League teams.