by Dan Perkins

Things are going very well for Major League Baseball these days.  Just days before the continuation of its very popular Inter-League games, and less than two weeks before its mid-summer classic, The All Star Game, Major League Baseball was honored twice by Rainbow/PUSH during PUSH's 23rd Annual Conference, which was held in Chicago June 21st through the 25th.

The first award was given to Wendy Lewis, Vice President of Strategic Planning, Recruitment and Diversity at Major League Baseball.  Lewis, who oversees Baseball's Diverse Business Partners Program and its recruitment efforts, was honored during PUSH's Sports Luncheon with the organization's Executive of the Year Award. Lewis received the award from Jesse Jackson (right) and Tyrone Willingham, Head Football Coach at the University of Notre Dame. (See picture above).

The following day, at PUSH's Business Luncheon, the Commissioner of Baseball, Allan "Bud" Selig, received The Trading Partners Award.  The award is given to leaders who advance inclusion and opportunity within their organizations.

Jackson credited the Commissioner for his long support of diversity and praised him for propelling Baseball to a lead position among professional sports in the areas of procurement and employment.  The Commissioner seemed genuinely pleased to be honored in the presence of several hundred business leaders, including the CEOs of McDonald's, Coors and AT&T.

"To be recognized for a commitment to diversity from the PUSH organization is testimony to the work and focus that we - at Major League Baseball - have mandated as a business standard for our industry," said Selig.

The Commissioner then acknowledged that diversity in Major League Baseball began more than 55 years ago, in 1957, with the acceptance of Jackie Robinson and Larry Dobby into the League.  "Major League Baseball is forever grateful to both men and their families.  Their historic legacy has continued, and will continue until fair and equal employment opportunity in Baseball is available to all regardless of race, religion or gender."

Selig seized the opportunity to remind the audience of Baseball's unique role in accelerating integration in American society.

"I have always believed that Baseball is a significant social institution, with important social responsibilities," said Selig.  He went on to talk about the enormous social consequences of integrating Baseball.  

Selig was not content to dwell upon Baseball's past, or his own, and he quickly turned his focus to the future.  "The evidence of my commitment to diversifying Major League Baseball will be in franchise ownership," said the Commissioner.  "The first bit of evidence is the sale of the Anaheim Angels to Arte Moreno."  Moreno became the first Latino majority owner in Major League Baseball when he purchased the Angels from the Walt Disney Company in May for $184 million.

The diversity initiatives championed by Commissioner Selig set high marks for the other sports to follow.  The award given to Selig acknowledges the enormous difference committed leadership can make in creating opportunities and leveling the playing field.  It is the kind of commitment Jackson hopes will extend to all industries.  "Whenever the playing field is even, and the rules are public and the goals are clear, we can make it," said Jackson.

Through education, negotiation and demonstration, Rainbow/PUSH endeavors to move America, and the world, closer towards social, racial and economic justice.

The End

Note: In addition to publishing diversityinbusiness.com, Dan Perkins is a consultant to Major League Baseball on its Diverse Business Partners Program.