By Gary Norris Gray, BASN-Newsroom-Staff Reporter

OAKLAND, CA.-Major League Baseball will suspend Houston Astro first baseman Yuli Gurriel five games in the 2018 season for his racial gesture in the World Series game three, but there is more to this story.

Major League Baseball took a stand against racism once again on the weekend of October 28-29 by suspending the Astro first basemen who is of Latin descent. Gurriel put his hands to his face and pulled the corners of his eyes after hitting a home run. This was in reference to Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Yu Darvish, on the mound, who is of Iranian and Japanese descent.

This was one second of a stupid act, one second of not thinking about what he was doing changed the minds of many Gurriel fans in Houston and this stupid act will make Juli miss five games next year. Baseball fans outside of Houston will not be kind to Mr. Gurriel in 2018.

Baseball, basketball, football, and hockey players are watched closely by millions and these players (minorities) have to be cognizant of their actions on and off the field. Gurriel will find this out the hard way next season.

Sports fans are like elephants they never forget or forgive.

MLB and Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred had to deal with another racial issue in Boston this past summer when Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones heard vicious racial taunts coming from the predominant Red Sox fans in the bleachers of Fenway Park after he made several outstanding plays in the field.

Robert Manfred took actions immediately with a statement that this event does not reflect the fanbase of MLB.

“There is no place in our game for the behavior or any behavior like the behavior we witnessed [Friday] night,” Manfred said. “There is no excuse or explanation that makes that type of behavior acceptable.”

He continued, “There needs to be disciplinary consequences to make clear that Major League Baseball is an institution that will not tolerate behavior of this type.”

Yu Darvish responded in a very light and warm way

Dervish’s statement reads:

No one is perfect. That includes both you and I. What he had done today isn’t right, but I believe we should put our effort into learning rather than to accuse him. If we can take something from this, that is a giant step for mankind. Since we are living in such a wonderful world, let’s stay positive and move forward instead of focusing on anger. I’m counting on everyone’s big love.

Major League Baseball must be consistent in their quest for equal justice but there is a team in the Central Division in the state of Ohio in the city of Cleveland that needs to be addressed.

The Cleveland Indians are still wearing Chief Wahoo on the uniform shoulders and home caps. The Cleveland organization continues to drag their collective feet on the issue of retiring racial insensitive Chief Wahoo. The merry-go-round continues.

With the Gurriel pending suspension and the Adam Jones summer racial incident, it may be time to take that step forward and demand that the Cleveland Indian Baseball Club remove Chief Wahoo from their uniforms.

Cleveland baseball fans continue to cling to their tradition and claim that they are honoring or paying homage to Native Americans. This is the same claim that the Washington Football Club fan base puts forth. Remember slavery and Jim Crow Laws were a tradition too.

If MLB and Robert Manfred really want to stop racism in their sport prevent the Cleveland Indian Baseball Club from using Chief Wahoo next season, The time is right, the time is now.

If Manfred and MLB really want to send a message to all the players, baseball fans, and owners, to disrupt racial incidents like Adam Jones or Yuli Gurriel, Tell Cleveland to retire Chief Wahoo.

That Little Red Sambo is not welcome and neither are the acts of the Boston Red Sox fans or Yuli Gurriel.

MLB should not encourage Cleveland fans to dress up in red face paint bringing signs that read scalp them. This too is not respectful. MLB has the chance to change history.

Thanks, Yahoo Sports

Gary Norris Gray – Writer, Author, Historian, Gibbs Magazine-Oakland, California and New England Informer- Boston, Mass. THE GRAYLINE:- The Analects of A Black Disabled Man, The Gray Leopard Cove, Soul Tree Radio In The Raw, and The Batchelor Pad Network, Disabled Community Activist. Email Norris19@att.net

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