Snake Bytes: 01/11 - Diversity

Diamondbacks news

Curt Schilling tweets support for U.S. Capitol rioters: ‘A confrontation that matters’

Curt Schilling’s Capitol rioters comments should keep him out of Hall of Fame

Without the intent to spark any political discussion, but if there was a case being made for Curt Schilling and the HoF, maybe after last week’s ocurrences his name can be definitely written off the ballots.

[MLB Trade Rumors] Offseason Outlook: Arizona Diamondbacks

If you do not already know what you should know, then read this so you know what you have to know.

[Call To The Pen] Yoan Lopez found himself with help from a legend

“Basically I saw myself with one foot out of professional baseball. I was at home watching games on TV. But reaching the big leagues was an important moment in my career, because I not only changed the organization’s view of me but I did this with the help of my trainers and the support of my family.”

Part of his success in the Majors so far is attributed by Lopez to Cuban League pitcher Maels Rodríguez: “Working with Maels helped refine me as a pitcher. This off-season we worked plenty on working the count and on situational pitching. We worked some on proper mechanics, but the majority of things we worked on were more physiological than physical. “

Around The MLB

[WBSC] Bianca Smith becomes first Black woman to serve as professional baseball coach

The Boston Red Sox have hired Bianca Smith as a Minor League coach, making her the first Black woman to serve as a professional baseball coach in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB). Smith, 29, will work with Boston’s minor leaguers, focusing mainly on position players.

Speaking to the MLB Network, Smith said: “The opportunity is amazing. I am excited to get the chance to show what I can do. I think it’s a great opportunity also to inspire other women who are interested in this game.”

MLB had the first on-field female coach last season when Alyssa Nakken signed with the San Francisco Giants. Three more women were hired as on-field coaches at the Minor League level: Rachel Balkovec (New York Yankees), Rachel Foldern (Chicago Cubs) and Christina Whitlock (St. Louis Cardinals).

The Miami Marlins hired Kim NG as their General Manager in November, making her the first female GM in the history of the four major North American men’s sports.

[NBC Sports BayArea] How Giants, Zaidi embrace diversity for women in baseball

Rachel Balkovec, the first-ever female hitting coach in MLB, interviewed with Kapler and Zaidi for a position with the Giants. It was a different position than the one Alyssa Nakken accepted — more of a quality control type of job — but Balovec noticed how much they embraced diversity in their interview process.

“The first time I met Farhan was on a diversity panel at the MLB Winter Meetings, I think he was one of the first people to ever mention to me being in the front office,” Balkovec said.

Zaidi also encouraged Balkovec about having a future in an MLB front office down the line as well. Her dream is to work as a general manager in such surroundings.

“For me, I watch front offices like more people watch teams, so I think it just goes back to I look at Gabe Kapler and Farhan, they’re forward thinkers in that way if you follow their trajectory.”

[NBC Sports BayArea] Padres, Tatís Jr. in talks on possible extension

Pio Deportes, citing sources, reported the Padres are “negotiating a contract with Tatís Jr. for $320 million and 11 seasons.”

[CBS Sports] Former MLB All-Star Tommy John hospitalized by COVID-19, says he’s not a coronavirus denier

“I’m not a denier. I’ve had it, baby,” John told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

While John is not denying the existence of the coronavirus, his son, Tommy John III, has been spreading misinformation about the virus and global pandemic on social media.

Across The Pacific

[Japan] Sugano smolders over failed MLB bid, looks to shine in 2021

Speaking to reporters online, the 31-year-old Sugano expressed some frustration with the conditions under which he was forced to negotiate: “There were a lot of discussions, but none were able to convince me 100 percent”.

Sugano blamed the limited amount of time available and Major League Baseball’s slow offseason player market: “The market wasn’t moving. Players weren’t being signed who should have been,” he said. “I think I needed just a little more time.”

Sugano’s agent Joel Wolfe told media in an interview that six teams made offers to sign the right-hander and that the final decision was made with two minutes left to go before the 30-day period allowed by the posting system expired on Thursday.

[Yahoo Sports] Sydney Blue Sox release Manny Ramirez amid disjointed season

‘’The level of investment to get him here meant this was never a PR stunt,’’ Cobb said. ‘’It was never was our intention to have him NOT participate in the ABL this season.’’

Ramirez did not make an appearance with the Blue Sox, who played just two games - on Dec. 17 and 18 - before a coronavirus outbreak in Sydney and subsequent border and travel restrictions prevented the club from competing.

Over The Wall

[WBSC] Nicaragua U-23 National Baseball Team named “Team of the Year 2020” by AIPS America

The U-23 Pan American baseball champion team beat the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brazil National Football Team in the voting.

In February 2020, Nicaragua won the Americas Qualifier for the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup, going undefeated and edging Cuba 1-0 in the final.

[Latin America] The Caribbean leagues are not willing to part with talent that used doping

“The leagues don’t want them to put more restrictions on them and they won’t legislate against their own show. That a player has been suspended in the place where he works, jurisdictionally, does not have to apply in another league “, says an executive.

Others understand that MLB has changed its stance and sees in the Caribbean circuits a platform for players suspended in its system to find a level competition to maintain form while serving their sentences.