James Wood, a promising player for the Nationals, is not only focused on his performance but is also committed to mentoring young Black baseball talent. During his bobblehead night, he engaged with 14-year-old Mikey Tolliver, providing invaluable guidance on improving his game and discussing the unique challenges of being a Black player in a sport with dwindling representation. A recent report highlighted that only 6.2% of players are Black, prompting Wood to embrace his role as a mentor to inspire the next generation while managing his own career development in the majors.
"It's great being able to rely on him for stuff. I can ask him about my swing, what I'm doing wrong, what I'm doing right."
"According to a 2023 report conducted by the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, just 6.2 percent of players on Opening Day rosters were Black, the lowest since 1991."
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