The Players Alliance continues to impact inner-city communities in numerous ways. This month, the organization kicked off Jackie Robinson weekend with the launch of their six-city Coaches Intensive.
This Coaches Intensive features MLBbro greats Marquis Grissom, Lou Collier, Lenny Webster, and Marvin Freeman.
These former MLB players are providing local coaches with a great opportunity to absorb information they’ve learned from their playing days and develop their skills and knowledge as coaches.
NEXT Weekend! April 27-28 @FSCJBaseball from 11am-2pm (Sat & Sun), we are partnering with @PlayersAlliance for a 2-day Coaches Intensive for Jax area coaches to learn from Marquis Grissom, Marvin Freeman, Lou Collier, and Lenny Webster!
An opportunity like this certainly doesn’t come every day and the fact that the Players’ Alliance is doing this, just shows how much they care about growing the game of baseball in Black communities.
The six-city tour started in Detroit during the weekend of April 19-21 and made a stop in Baltimore this past weekend.
They’ll also visit Jacksonville, Chicago, New Orleans, and Memphis.
Let’s take a look at the careers these former MLBbro’s had when they were playing in the big leagues.
Marquis Grissom
Grissom played in the majors for 17 seasons and accomplished a lot during his tenure. He finished his career with a .272 batting average with 2,251 hits, 227 home runs, 967 RBI, and 429 stolen bases.
Happy 57th birthday to Marquis Grissom, who called game with this walk-off inside-the-park homer in 1994. 🎉 pic.twitter.com/WotEI44TjF
The former outfielder is a two-time all-star selection, a four-time Gold Glove winner, and a two-time National League stolen base leader.
Grissom also won a World Series title in 1995 with the Atlanta Braves and was named the 1997 ALCS MVP with the Cleveland Indians. The numbers and awards speak for themselves–Grissom was a flat-out baller and was a player you wanted to have on your team.
Lou Collier
Collier appeared in 315 major league games from 1997 to 2004. During that span, he played for five different teams.
During his career, he was considered a utility player and could play multiple positions. He hit .248 with eight home runs and 78 RBI. Collier also spent time playing in the Korean Baseball Organization League from 2005 to 2006, where he hit 22 home runs and had 86 RBI.
What should you know about turning two at shortstop?
Webster was a catcher and played in the league from 1989 to 2000. You don’t see many Black catchers at the Major League level, but Webster was one of the most talented in the game during his playing days. He began his career with the Minnesota Twins and played with four other teams before ending his career with the Montreal Expos.
Webster has a .254 career batting average with 33 home runs and 176 RBI.
Marvin Freeman
Freeman pitched in the big leagues from 1986 to 1996 for four different teams. Listed at 6-foot-7, Freeman was a dominating presence on the mound.
He finished his career with a 35-28 record with a 4.64 ERA.
His best season came in 1994 with the Colorado Rockies. Freeman finished that season with a 10-2 record with a 2.80 ERA. That season he finished fourth in the Cy Young Award voting.
These former players have a lot of experience and it’s great to see them giving back to the community.
The mission of the Players Alliance is to “Address baseball’s systemic barriers to equity and inclusion by creating pathways to opportunities on and off the field for an undeniable pipeline of black talent.”
By doing clinics and events like this, the Players Alliance is successfully achieving its mission and is a key contributor to helping baseball become more accessible in Black communities.
As the WBC rolls around former MLBbro All-Star centerfielder Adam Jones‘ name makes its way back into the baseball conscience. Jones’ incredible catch, robbing Manny Machado of a sure homer, with the US leading DR 4-2 in the seventh inning of the World Baseball Classic semifinals.
Jones’ all-time great catch stole the momentum back from the tournament favorite enroute to a championship game demolition of Puerto Rico (8-0) to capture Team USA’s first WBC title.
Recently, Jones, who has no problem breaking baseball down like a James Brown bridge for anyone who craves it, offered his thoughts on the mixed emotions towards San Diego Padres star Manny Machado, who has opted out of his contract and will be a free agent at the end of the season. Of course, Padres fans don’t want a player of his ilk to leave, right when the franchise is starting to blossom again. But Jones is a starch defender of players rights as evidenced by his influential role in MLB’s Player’s Alliance.
Jones responded to a Tweet about Manny Machado’s appearance on 97.3 The Fan, where the six-time discussed the tough decision of opting out.
“It’s obviously a hard decision for me and my family, but it’s not about myself or anything. Some people might say, ‘He just wants the money.’ No, we love San Diego. We have a home there. We love this organization, we love the way things have been moving around here, and going in the right direction.
“But at the end of the day, sometimes business is business. And I think it wouldn’t be in my interest if I — you know, the market has changed in five years. In one year it’s changed. You see it in life, you see it in the real world. Let’s take away baseball. The price of eggs is how much? It’s just life. Things change, a lot of things change. Ultimately, the markets change, right?”
Adam Jones Defends Manny Machado Decision To Opt Out
Jones, who amassed more than $100M in salary during his career came to Machado’s defense.
When it comes to Machado opting out, Jones, who had over 160 hits seven times and was once a veteran teammate of a younger (and brasher) Machado, Tweeted:
“As he should. He’s EARNED THE RIGHT. What don’t most get about this. It’s a business. And players have the same right as the owners to make the best BUSINESS DECISION FOR THEMSELVES.”
As he should. He’s EARNED THE RIGHT. What don’t most get about this. It’s a business. And players have the same right as the owners to make the best BUSINESS DECISION for themselves. Like what’s so hard to believe. Get some more years added. Why not. https://t.co/jmjRf0lseE
Jones championing for Machado’s right to free enterprise started a conversation with many showing support for Machado’s decision for the same reasons Jones mentioned.
Not all athletes. But Manny for sure. I mean did u hear what Dustin Johnson said about signing with Liv? Pay more work less. Who wouldn’t signed up for that lol. Exclude the politics in a response hahahaha
Exactly. That’s why they put opt outs. Stanton had one or two in his deal. Ain’t opt out. Arenado had an opt out but didn’t. Had he did NO ONE WOULDVE SAID ANYTHING. But they will always talk when it comes to Manny. And I think he loves it
Jones was also referring to Machado’s love-hate relationship with the media and his early reputation as a cocky but incredibly talented and charismatic “villain of the game.” Machado was 19 when he crashed into MLB and brought all of his competitive spice and youthful exuberance with him. Now 30, he’s still trying to shake the reputation he’s developed among some fans and media in his early days.
As one Tweeter mentioned, “Manny is a superstar and his 10 for 300M deal that he signed five seasons ago, looks like a steal currently with the way the market is paying for MVP caliber superstars so why not, opt out and test it? I don’t get the hate. Me as a Orioles fan I’m more butt hurt my owner didn’t shell out the cash to keep “my guys.”
It’s Just Business: Fans Don’t Want To Hear That
The business of the move is totally understandable, however, that’s not going to make Padres fans feel any less scorned. Machado is only 29 and he’s already an 11-year veteran. He will break the 300-homer mark in the first half of the season, barring a super slow start. He currently sits at 283 and despite the loss of MLBBro slugger Josh Bell and rising star CJ Abrams, there are huge expectations in San Diego, especially with the first Spring Training for Juan Soto and return of Fernando Tatis.
Some fans understand the market, math and motive, but still question why Machado, who already secured a $300M contract in San Diego has to test the market instead of staying loyal to the fan base and continuing to strive for the first World Series title in franchise history. Build his lasting legacy in San Diego. Make that franchise’s hat and jersey the one he wears in Cooperstown, rather than Baltimore, where he spent the first 6.5 years of his career.
I understand looking out for yourself but how much money does 1 person need? When is enough gonna ever be enough? The most $ a person makes in my family is 80,000 a year and she lives comfortably. You can't tell me "Oh, inflation ". If you play in MLB, you make enough to survive
Like it or love it, Jones is a staunch advocate for player’s rights, especially the young Bros coming up the financial ladder. In case anyone was confused, Machado is exercising his, which is very important in a capitalistic business where the owners make 100 times more than the highest-paid player. Reassessing your market value is always a smart play and keeps you from becoming a pawn in the machine. The stars have to strike when the iron is hot. They not only have an obligation to their families, but to the market and how the players who drive the game, connect with the fans, create the interest and perform the feats, are valued in the overall business structure.
MLBbro.com reporter Malik Wright talks to former MLBbro star Adam Jones about growing up as a Black baseball player, the influx of Black drafted players in 2022 and more.
“As the stark racial minority in all aspects of our game, The Players Alliance has given a voice and platform to our Black players, unified in our stance against systemic racism,” said Curtis Granderson, former MLB player and President of The Players Alliance. “We stand together for what is right and to change our game for the better. The power of our player membership, including our non-Black teammates, coupled with the support of MLB and the Players Association, gives us the unique ability to create increased opportunities for the Black communities we care so much about” — Curtis Granderson.
The name Curtis Granderson is synonymous with players know for leaving it all on the field. He made sure to give his best effort out there and he made a name for himself during his time in MLB.
Granderson spent 16 seasons in the league and played for seven different teams. When he got that opportunity, he made the most of it and became a well-known player throughout the league.
The three-time All-Star could get the job done in the field and at the plate. Baseball had a positive impact on Granderson’s life and he’s able to make an impact on the community because of this sport.
This is one Black man who cares about the community and giving back, and he’s been doing that since he was playing in the league.
In 2007, he founded the Grand Kids Foundation. He had a vision to help aid youth development through education, physical fitness, and other positive initiatives. Not only has he impacted communities in his home state of Illinois, but he has also made an impact in other areas of the country as well.
“We started this in Detroit, here we are 10 years later getting a chance to celebrate a lot of different things we’ve done. Helping kids get introduced to the game of baseball, feeding kids, getting kids active and emphasizing the importance of education,” Granderson said in an article from nydailynews.com. “We’ve done it in a lot of different places: Chicago, Michigan, Florida and New York, so it’s been really cool to have that reach and ability because of baseball and because of this community.”
For Granderson, it was more than just playing the game. He used his platform to impact many people across the country and that just shows the kind of person he is.
Granderson last played in 2019, and he continues to be involved in the game even though he hasn’t touched the field in two years.
He serves as the president of The Players Alliance, a group made up of more than 100 former and current baseball players who come together to use their voice and platform to make new opportunities for Black communities in areas regarding baseball and society.
Granderson is not afraid to speak out on different topics or issues or take action. In July of 2020, the MLB and teams gave players the option of wearing a social message on their jersey for opening day, in the midst of everything that was going on in the world at the time.
Granderson and current MLB player Andrew McCutcheon were the two people in coordination with the league regarding that matter. So, you can see that Granderson is passionate about the things he’s involved in and you just love to see it.
Curtis Granderson Was An All-Star MLBbro With Pop
The Detroit Tigers drafted Granderson out of the University of Illinois-Chicago in the 2002 draft. During his time in Detroit, he established himself as one of the team’s top players. During the 2007 season, he posted a .302 batting average, the first time he batted over .300 in his career.
In 2009, Granderson was selected to his first All-Star Game. He went on to finish the season with a .249 batting average and 30 home runs.
Batting in the leadoff spot, Granderson could change the game with one swing of a bat. He had power and speed, a deadly combination.
After a successful career in Detroit, he went to the east coast to play with the New York Yankees and the Mets.
Granderson had arguably his best season in 2011 with the Bronx Bombers. That season he was named an All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award. He batted .262 and hit 41 home runs.
He went on to make one more All-Star team in 2012 with the Yankees. Granderson finished his career playing for the LA Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Miami Marlins.
No matter what team he went to, he was always loved by fans. Baseball has had a positive impact on Granderson’s life and he continues to impact the lives of others daily.
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