Comments on: Munenori Kawasaki and the History of Racial Mascots

By: Rex Kuo

Rex Kuo — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 19:19:39 +0000

Good article Zach. It’s enlightening that you look at it from another person and another culture’s perspective. I wish more people, including other commenters, would do the same.

By: Anna

Anna — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 02:51:04 +0000

Thanks for the article, Zack! You put into words something that had been feeling a little off to me about the Kawasaki stories coming out of cubs camp but hadn’t been able to put my finger on. I agree that there seems to be no intention to hurt anyone, but food for thought nonetheless. Couple thoughts for folks who are offended by the existence of this article: 1. Race is not irrelevant to baseball, and discussion of race dynamics within the game of baseball belongs with the discussion of baseball, not exiled off somewhere else. There is no way to tell the story of baseball without discussing race, and we are naive if we believe race no longer plays a role. 2. Discussion of ‘little r’ racism is just as important as discussion of ‘capital R” Racism, i.e. the more subtle ways that tokenism and stereotypes play out subconsciously in our mental categories and the way we talk about other people is just as valid a topic of conversation as the deliberate nastiness of overt racism.

By: jan labij

jan labij — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 20:32:37 +0000

Kawasaki is a funny guy in the same way Bob Uecker is. Won’t surprise me a bit if Kawasaki comes up with some variation of “JUST a bit outside.”

By: Tommy

Tommy — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 11:38:00 +0000

umm, yeah. This is ‘BASEBALL’ Prospectus. We didn’t come here for political commentaries or cooking recipes.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 11:31:20 +0000

oh, welcome to my ‘don’t waste your time reading’ list.

By: Tommy

Tommy — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 11:30:16 +0000

Terrible article. Trying to create controversy where there is none. I didn’t realize Kung Fu Fighting being played over an intercom was so insulting.

Give me a break.

By: polender

polender — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 03:56:06 +0000

Nope. I loved Grantland. But I agree with the other comments. There are other ways to understand this than to say Joe Maddon and the organization are racist. A lot of people are tired of the type of Political Correctness that cries racism or any number of other isms without certainty. As a general rule, its neighborly to give people the benefit of the doubt, thinking the best of people, until proven otherwise. That’s all I’m saying I absolutely want insightful social commentary that makes us better neighbors.

By: Pillow Stealer

Pillow Stealer — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 02:39:19 +0000

I prefer 10% beer talk and 90% ice cold baseball

By: David Wilson

David Wilson — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 15:28:46 +0000

Exactly… and let’s not tarnish what Kawasaki is doing by making it look as if he’s only there for comic relief…he’s there for middle infield relief… the comedy is a plus. It IS worth keeping an eye on, of course.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 14:43:15 +0000

I think it’s a question worth asking…and then quickly answering. This is fine. YouTube Kawasaki: after his game-winning hit with the Blue Jays, he gets the mic and immediately screams “I am Japanese!!!” Is that offensive? No. Is it offensive that he opened the karaoke by saying one of his goals was to “speak English?” No — because he’s a genuinely funny person, being funny. That’s allowed, and everyone seems to appreciate it. He’s late-career Jonny Gomes, except with speed and middle infield defense instead of a lefty-mashing bat. He looks like, if one of our middle infielders goes down, he could provide real depth here. And he totally fits in with this team from a personality standpoint. One of my favorite things about this front office is how they value character AND baseball ability, and Kawasaki provides both.

When Fukudome was here, some people embarrassed themselves and the Cubs. This is not that.