Jazz Chisholm Jr. has not shied away from voicing his frustrations with the culture of Major League Baseball, particularly regarding race and how Black players are treated. Though he was traded to the New York Yankees from the Miami Marlins on July 24 of last year, his experiences in Miami still weigh heavily on him. Despite his sensational season start with three homers in three games in the Brewers series, the 27-year-old baller still has a lot on his mind while playing the sport he loves.
“I don’t want to say this — baseball is a White sport,” Chisholm said in a recent interview with The Athletic. “I feel like White people criticize everything that a Black man does. Black men are outspoken. They say what’s on their minds.”
One of the incidents that stood out during the Nassau, Bahamas native’s time with the Marlins was his treatment at the hands of former teammate Miguel Rojas. Rojas, who is from Venezuela and now plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers, reportedly cut up Chisholm’s signature cleats in an attempt to humble the flashy, outspoken player. Chisholm interpreted the act as an example of the way the unwritten rules of baseball suppress individuality, particularly when it comes to Black players.
Rojas has not outright denied the incident, but downplayed any controversy. “There are people who are going to air out what’s happening in a clubhouse, and I’m not really going to talk about it,” he told The Athletic. “I have my own opinions… but I’m going to be professional and keep it in-house.”
Chisholm also noted a double standard in how complaints from white and Black players are handled. “I’ll tell you right now, if this was a white boy’s stuff, you weren’t gonna cut that sh– up because if a white boy goes and complains, now everybody’s f—ed,” he said. “I go and complain and it’s not that big of a deal. It’s, ‘Let’s try and find a solution for this.’ But if a White boy goes and complains, nah, f— that.”
His comments highlight an ongoing conversation about race in baseball, one that has persisted for years. Colorado Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond made headlines in 2020 when he opted out of the MLB season, citing racism in the sport as a major factor in his decision. Desmond specifically called out a lack of Black executives, coaches, and players, as well as the overall culture of exclusion that he felt limited opportunities for people of color in baseball.
The sport’s racial dynamics were also the subject of last year’s panel discussion, “Being Black in Baseball and America,” moderated by MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds. The discussion featured MLB educational consultant Sharon Robinson, Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell and Miami Marlins pitcher Sterling Sharp. The conversation shed light on the challenges Black players face in the league and the broader, systemic issues at play.
As Chisholm continues his career with the Yankees, his willingness to speak out ensures that these conversations will not fade into the background. Whether Major League Baseball is ready to address these concerns in a meaningful way remains to be seen.