Most controversial scandals in MLB history: #11. Al Campanis shows his true colors
For roughly two decades, Al Campanis represented the Los Angeles Dodgers as both a player and manager. His work in either department was always lauded but it was the disparaging and quite frankly, racist remarks he used when describing Jackie Robinson, which lands him on this list.
During the 1980s, baseball had a major issue in terms of pushing forward men of color in executive/managerial roles. With such a huge disparity, Campanis was asked to discuss things further on an episode of Nightline.
Although Campanis actually was a roommate of the late great Jackie Robinson, Campanis seemingly viewed both him and people of color as a step below in terms of intelligence. Campanis explained that the reason why more African Americans aren’t in higher positions in league front offices is because he didn’t believe they had the right “necessities” to be successful in the position. Those comments and several more, left Campanis the target of widespread criticism.
Unable to withstand it any longer, Campanis resigned from his position. Unsurprisingly, no team has called him in since then.