CLEVELAND – There was some extra excitement for Simeon Woods Richardson before his start Friday night in Cleveland. For the first time he can remember in his professional career, since he was drafted in 2018, he faced another Black starting pitcher.
Woods Richardson and Cleveland’s Triston McKenzie are two of only nine active Black starting pitchers in the major leagues, which includes one on the injured list.
“You don’t really see that many Black baseball players in general, let alone two starting pitchers,” said the 23-year-old Woods Richardson, who has posted a 2.97 ERA through six starts this season.
Woods Richardson and McKenzie, who met through mutual friends, greeted each other before Friday’s game as they passed each other in the Progressive Field bullpens, wishing each other good luck.
Both pitchers were inspired as kids when they watched Black starting pitchers on TV, particularly CC Sabathia.
“Even though he’s lefthanded, wanting to be a Black pitcher because of guys like that,” McKenzie said. “You never want to be anything else. You see relievers, but I think starters, they’re the best. They have so much more control of the game.”
African American players represented only 5.7% of the Opening Day rosters, the lowest figure in the majors since 1955, according to USA Today. Woods Richardson believes finances are a major factor with more Black athletes choosing to play football or basketball.
“Baseball is very expensive,” Woods Richardson said. “A glove is $300. A bat is $400. Travel ball is probably $1,500 a year. Some families don’t have that. I was fortunate to even deal with it. So yeah, we go for the cheaper options. We’re blessed enough to be athletes, so we find different avenues. I believe if more Black players got into the game, you would see a lot of excitement, a lot of speed, a lot of talent, a lot of IQ.”
