In the wake of worldwide protests against police brutality and systematic racism, NBC Sports is hosting raw discussions with athletes, politicians, musicians and influencers on the fight for racial equality in America
Giants outfielder Jaylin Davis, former A's pitcher and current NBC Sports California analyst Dave Stewart, and pitcher Edwin Jackson join Monte Poole and Logan Murdock to discuss social justice in Major League Baseball. The trio share their experiences of being African-Americans in the world of baseball, talk about their individual journeys and commend Ian Desmond on his decision to opt out of the 2020 season.
(1:13) Jaylin Davis and Edwin Jackson talk about their journey to MLB
(3:59) Dave Stewart on his early life and how he found baseball
(7:57) Stewart on seeing fewer black players in MLB over his life to now
(10:42) Davis on what it’s like to experience racism in baseball growing up
(11:37) Jackson on how he felt when MLB took a long time to release statement on racism
(13:40) Stewart on what the Floyd murder and growing up in East Oakland
(16:41) Stewart and others on why player protests didn’t pick up in MLB
(21:24) Jackson and Davis on being a black player in a conservative sport
(25:56) Stewart and Jackson on black players playing style and how it’s seen by baseball
(28:31) Stewart and Jackson on Ian Desmond’s statement on racism and problems in baseball
(32:20) Stewart on how black players created a network when he played
(34:10) Stewart on how these protests are different than ones he’s seen over the years
(37:37) Jackson and Davis on protests now and how it’s changed their point of view
(45:25) Edwin Jackson on what it’s like raising black children in this time
(43:45) Davis and Stewart on how they got into baseball as kids
(47:12) Stewart on lack of representation and message that sends to black kids looking to play baseball
(50:06) Davis and Jackson on what can baseball do to make African Americans more included
(52:48) Stewart on what it would take to get black players back into the game
(55:21) Everyone on what baseball could do to embrace black players in its return
