Quite The Accomplishment: Black Players Victory at Cooperstown

On Sunday, July 27, 2025, Cooperstown, New York, witnessed an extraordinary event that may forever solidify its place in Major League Baseball history. Three distinguished Black players—Dave Parker, Dick Allen, and CC Sabathia—were enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame, finally receiving the recognition they were long denied. Tragically, Parker passed away on June 18, just prior to the ceremony, while Allen had died on December 7, 2020. During his acceptance speech, Sabathia honored Parker, highlighting the alarming decline in Black players in the league. He noted that, on Opening Day 2025, only 6.2% of players were African American, a marginal increase from 6% in the previous year. Reflecting on his role, Sabathia expressed a desire for change, stating he hopes to inspire future generations. Parker II shared that his father had prepared a poem to be read in his memory, while Allen's widow, Willa, reminisced about his humility and kindness throughout his 15-year career.