March 28, 2024
Ruth J Morrison

Ruth J Morrison

The Collaborative Effort Makes Her Spirit Sing

Excited about the success of Major League Baseball's Diversity Summit 2014, Wendy Lewis, Vice President of Diversity and Strategic Alliances, told What's The 411Sports host, Glenn Gilliam, that the collaborative effort "makes her spirit sing." Ms. Lewis receives great support and enthusiasm from Commissioner Allan "Bud" Selig, Jonathan Mariner and MLB's 30 baseball clubs in the execution of the MLB Diversity Summit.

This is MLB's third diversity summit. It is however, the first in New York City and it opened on Jackie Robinson Day. The Jackie Robinson family will attend a ceremony on the second day of the summit. In addition to Sharon and Rachel Robinson, members of Mr. Nelson Mandela's family will also be in attendance at Yankees Stadium for the ceremony on the second day of the summit.

MLB has taken the lead on diversity and inclusion in sports and has given diversity and inclusion consultation to the other major sports. However, Ms. Lewis knows that the other sports will do things their way and perhaps, one day they will all do something together.

Major League Baseball is different; it does have a special calling.

"We have the legacy," Ms. Lewis stated. "We have the DNA of Jackie Robinson so I think we have an extra source of responsibility here".

Given the legacy of Jackie Robinson, it is disturbing to many that baseball now has the lowest number of African-American players of the top three major sports leagues: baseball, basketball, and football.

Addressing the dearth of African-American MLB players, Commissioner Selig in April 2013, launched the On-field Diversity Task Force to design ways improve the African-American player pipeline.

Major League Baseball is also a big supporter of the Negro League Baseball museum.

Ms. Lewis joined MLB Commissioner's office after spending eight seasons with the Chicago Cubs.

View Video Interview with Ms. Wendy Lewis

To see our videos when they are posted, subscribe to our YouTube channels: WhatsThe411TV and 411SportsTV

WATCH VIDEO: What's The 411Sports Team Talk About Derek Jeter Day

Michael Jordan, Dave Winfield, Mariano Rivera, and others were on hand at Yankee Stadium to celebrate Derek Jeter's career as a New York Yankee.

The celebration was Derek Jeter Day on the road to Derek Jeter's retirement.

Celebrities Gather in Brooklyn for Charity Event During MLB All Star Weekend

New York Giants football player (NFL) Justin Tuck and hip hop star, Nelly, led their respective teams in a celebrity softball game at MCU Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

Although the rain was on-again and off-again, the celebs didn't let a little rain stop them from raising money for charity and having a good time.

WATCH VIDEO

Collage Evander Holyfield DJ Enuff Vinny G Chris Canty MLB All Star Weekend Justin Tuck Nelly Softball Charity resized

 

Photo Credit: Ramona Miles

Videographer: Ramona Miles

Video Editor: Ruth J. Morrison

Thanks to Jesse Whitehead for the use of his camera.

 

You are invited to the 3rd Annual Major League Baseball Diversity Business Summit, the premier sports employment conference and supplier diversity trade fair. The MLB Diversity Business Summit, co-hosted by the New York Yankees, will be held in New York City on Monday, April 14th and Tuesday, April 15th, which is Jackie Robinson Day throughout Major League Baseball.

The meetings and networking sessions on Monday, April 14th and Tuesday, April 15th will be held at Manhattan Center, 311 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001.

Various elements of the third annual MLB Diversity Business Summit include a keynote speech by Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig, league-wide networking, matchmaking sessions for entrepreneurs, interviews for job seekers, panel discussions, workshops and more. Additionally, the Yankees will host attendees at Yankee Stadium for the Welcome Reception on April 14th and the Jackie Robinson Day Interleague game between the Yankees and the Chicago Cubs on April 15th. As a part of Jackie Robinson Day ceremonies, the Yankees will honor Nelson Mandela with a dedication of a plaque in Yankee Stadium's Monument Park.

The MLB Diversity Business Summit uniquely and directly connects attendees with decision-makers for employment and business opportunities from all 30 MLB Clubs, MLB Network, MLB Advanced Media, Minor League Baseball Clubs and MLB's Central Office in New York City.

Additionally, five of Major League Baseball's leading diverse suppliers - RGMA, Proftech, SupplierGATEWAY, Vernalis and MDG Builders are sponsors and will be on site at the third annual MLB Diversity Business Summit, the premier sports employment conference and supplier diversity trade fair.

Individuals interested in attending the Summit can visitMLB.com/diversitysummitto register and learn more about the 2014 MLB Diversity Business Summit.

For more information, please follow the MLB Diversity Business Summit on Twitter (@MLB_DBS) and Facebook (Facebook.com/DiversityBusinessSummit).

 

 

Robinson Cano, former New York Yankees and now second baseman for the Seattle Mariners, still has what it takes to be an All Star.

He was voted to his fifth Major League Baseball All Star Game.

The Seattle Mariners are also poised to make a playoff appearance this season, in part because of Cano's tremendous contributions.

As a Yankees fan, you can't talk about Robinson Cano without talking about his contract negotiations with the New York Yankees.

Many New York Yankees fans wish the Yankees and Cano could have had a meeting of the minds that would have allowed Cano to stay a member of the Yankees.

Greg Alcala says that Cano's desire for a 10-year contract was borne out of him wanting to retire with the Yankees.

However, Greg wishes that Cano and the Yankees could have agreed on five years and then renegotiated for the next five years.

If you are a New York Yankees fan, how do feel about Robinson Cano being with the Seattle Mariners?

Do you think it is a possibility for Cano to come back and retire from the New York Yankees?

VIDEO: Join the Conversation About Robinson Cano!

Can Masahiro Tanaka Win 20 Games?

In this segment, What's The 411Sports hosts and reporters assess Masahiro Tanaka's abilities.

They tackle the question, can New York Yankees ace pitcher, Masahiro Tanaka, win 20 games. Without blinking an eye, reporter Gregory Alcala answered the question with a resounding "NO".

What's Wrong with Japanese Pitchers?

To everyone's astonishment, Greg Alcala goes on to say that he doesn't like Japanese pitchers and gives his reasons based on statistics.

Do you agree with Greg?

Do you think there is still time for Tanaka to win 20 games?

Check out the video to listen in on the conversation about Tanaka here.

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