Jackie Robinson helped pave the way for many African American baseball players. Even black players in MLB now still remember what Robinson did for them. Robinson was just one of many to help integrate the sport.

Now, black players are striving toward making the game popular in inner-city communities, and Tim Anderson is one of those players.

Tim Anderson’s MLB career

The Chicago White Sox drafted Anderson in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft. The Alabama native made his MLB debut with the team in June of 2016. Anderson batted .283 and hit nine home runs in 99 games played during his first season.

In the next three seasons, Anderson’s game would continue to improve, and he would become the day-to-day shortstop for the White Sox. In 2019, Anderson had a breakout year. He batted .335, which led the AL and hit 18 home runs. Anderson was named the AL batting champion for the 2019 season.

Anderson was starting to make a name for himself in the league, and he was a fan favorite in Chicago. He was making a case as not only one of the best shortstops in the AL but the MLB.

Chicago’s a perfect fit for Anderson

Of all the teams that could have drafted Anderson, the White Sox are the right fit for him. Playing in a city that has a significant African American population is perfect for Anderson. In a USA Today article, Anderson said, ‘I want to represent the black community and everything that comes with it.’

If you look across the MLB, there aren’t too many black players on teams. Anderson wants to help change that number. ‘I’m going to continue to play the way it’s meant to be played, continue to be me, to continue to grow the game, and continue to get the black community behind me,’ Anderson said. Playing in Chicago allows Anderson to showcase his talents to those inner-city communities. That also allows Anderson to take the time out and interact with the different communities and let them know that he’s there to support.

Anderson plays with a lot of passion and emotion on the field. He is a competitor and does his best to help put his team in the best position to win games. The White Sox have something special with Tim Anderson.

Changing the game for black communities

Anderson wants to get his story out there and let everyone know that no matter where you came from, you can be successful. That doesn’t have to be in sports in general, but whatever you have a passion for. Anderson is playing a sport that not too many people of color play at a young age, and he’s having success playing the sport. When the younger generation sees someone the same color as them having success, that’s a motivation factor right there.

Anderson wanted to pursue a basketball career when he was younger, but things did not work out for him in that area. So, he turned to baseball and look at him now. He’s one of the most talked-about players in the league, and he is going to continue to get his story across to as many people as he can.