MLB has no black managers following McClendon’s dismissal

Here’s a stat Major League Baseball would like to change: There are no African-American managers in the game.

Next season could be the first year since 1987 there isn’t at least one black manager, according to Richard Lapchick, director of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida.

Former Astros manager Bo Porter has interviewed with the Marlins, and there are several other qualified black candidates, including longtime Braves coach Terry Pendleton.

Six teams hired new managers last offseason, but none of the jobs went to an African-American.

Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, who became the first black MLB manager in 1975 with the Cleveland Indians, said he’s concerned but owners can’t be forced to hire managers based on race.

in baseball and has been in the game 30 or 40 years, why is there not an opportunity being provided there,” players’ union head Tony Clark said about the lack of black managers in baseball.

Willie Randolph averaged 89 wins in his first three seasons managing the New York Mets and won a division title, but he was fired midway through his fourth season.

Cecil Cooper won 86 games in his only full season managing the Houston Astros, but was fired the following year and didn’t get another managing job.

In March, Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart, the only black GM in the majors, said some interview training would help candidates.

“I think it’s important not to think only about GMs and field managers, but also on the pool of people who, over the long haul, will mature into candidates for senior leadership positions,” Manfred had said previously.