Stacking the Draft?

Pitchers and quarterbacks have a lot in common. They throw balls, needing accuracy and arm strength. They also need to communicate with teammates and often play singularly important roles in the game. They get a lot of media attention. They are also disproportionately white.

That was the conclusion for pitchers of the 2005 MLB Report Card from the University of Central Florida, published late last month. In considering how the various positions compare racially, Dr. Lapchick's program found only 3% of pitchers, 1% of catchers and 11% of infielders were African-American, compared to 26% of the outfielders. Dr. Lapchick acknowledged that Commissioner Selig has not influenced this disparity. In simple terms, minorities appeared "stacked" into some positions over others.

The Institute's most recent NFL Report Card was softer on the issue of stacking. But although the percentages are higher, the disparity remains. In 2004, Dr. Lapchick found 22% of NFL quarterbacks were African-American. But the percentages for running back, wide receiver and defensive back were all above 80%. I believe that only 6 of the 32 quarterbacks currently slated to start are racial minorities. Though it was a crude survey, my examination of the 2006 NFL Draft suggests a stacking problem. It appears that a disproportionate number of the white players taken in the first three rounds were either quarterbacks or else tight ends (a position historically associated with failed quarterbacks). The link also, of course, includes a front page picture of Matt Leinart (#10 overall) and not Vince Young (#3 overall).

Pitchers and quarterbacks have a lot in common. But considering how different the sports are, these positions are very different as well. The fact that they both stack up as they do suggests that at least some factors that contribute to stacking are social instead of sport-specific.

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