The 1971 contest was the first to feature two Black starting pitchers, Vida Blue and Dock Ellis
By Bijan C. Bayne, The Undefeated When Vida Blue of the Oakland Athletics faced off against the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Dock Ellis in the 1971 All-Star Game 50 years ago, it was the first time two Black pitchers started in the Midsummer Classic. But that fact was barely noted in the media at the time – […]
After losing jobs in New York and Memphis, he’s got a new view on what’s important.
By Jesse Washington, The Undefeated After the game was taken away, he retreated into a shell of pity and shame. Basketball had been David Fizdale’s entire identity since he got “Hoop Life” tatted on his left shoulder as a teen. Basketball had carried him to college from the bullet-riddled streets of South Central Los Angeles […]
No African country has medaled in the Olympic Games in men’s basketball or qualified past the preliminary stage.
By Marc J. Spears, The Undefeated OAKLAND, Calif. – Nelson Mandela once famously said, “The world will not respect Africa until Nigeria earns that respect. The Black people of the world need Nigeria to be great as a source of pride and confidence.” Nigeria’s national team is the only African team to qualify for the […]
Naomi Osaka of Japan attends press conference after winning women’s single final of US Open 2018 at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. – New York, NY – September 8, 2018 (Shutterstock) By Dorothy Chin and Tamra Burns Loeb, The Conversation Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka announced that she would withdraw from the French […]
The cultural messages can be harsh, dehumanizing and constant.
By Lonnae O’Neal, The Undefeated The athletes, former athletes and coaches had gathered at Temple University to tell war stories. But the conversation wasn’t about diving catches or buzzer beaters, heated rivalries or fearsome opponents. Instead, they detailed the other defining aspect of their playing days: what it felt like to compete while black and […]
US Open champion Naomi Osaka of Japan of United States posing with US Open trophy during trophy presentation after her final match victory against Serena Williams. – New York – September 8, 2018 (Shutterstock) By Clinton Yates, The Undefeated In 1989, I was a third grader at Washington International School at the Olive Street campus […]
Grand Slam Champion Naomi Osaka of Japan in action during her 2019 US Open third round match at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. – New York – August 31, 2019 (Shutterstock) By Jon Wertheim, Sports Illustrated It’s second day of play at the French Open yet it’s hard to imagine a bigger story emerging […]
One year later, a look at NBA arenas will help answer that question.
By William C. Rhoden, The Undefeated How will the NBA and other sports leagues acknowledge the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer? How the sports world commemorates Floyd — or whether it remembers him at all on Tuesday — will go a long way in telling us how far we […]
By Cassandra Negley, Yahoo Sports Kyrie Irving turned the focus to the ongoing violence between Israel and Palestine rather than answer any game-related questions Saturday night. “My goal out here, my purpose, is to help humanity and I can’t sit here and not address that,” Irving said following the Brooklyn Nets’ 105-91 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Irving spoke […]
By Hannah Keyser, Yahoo Sports A coronavirus outbreak among vaccinated players and staff has “rocked” the New York Yankees and attracted the attention of the CDC this week. So far, eight people, including shortstop Gleyber Torres, have tested positive more than 14 days after being fully vaccinated. Because the team has a high level of […]