SPORTS WATCH : Base Lines

Major league baseball has suffered tremendous pain and embarrassment because of the ugly racial slurs made by Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott. For baseball to truly repair its image, the owners across the league--not just the Cincinnati club--must reform hiring practices that have prevented many minorities from obtaining important on-field and front-office management positions.

Schott apologized Wednesday for racist and anti-Semitic comments. Reading from a prepared statement, Schott said that the remarks, which she now admits, were “insensitive” and “hurt others.”

That confession should clear the way for baseball’s executive council to impose a stiff penalty. National League officials are reportedly negotiating a deal with Schott’s attorneys that would allow her to avoid a long suspension and heavy fine. First, though, Schott would have to agree to withdraw from the team’s day-to-day operations for a time and implement a minority hiring program for her club, which now has only one minority member on its 45-person management staff.

That’s fair enough, but the owners should be aware that the problem won’t be ended by making changes in Cincinnati. Baseball must implement a league-wide hiring plan.

During baseball’s winter meetings last December, then-Commissioner Fay Vincent warned team owners that baseball was not doing enough to lift the barriers that traditionally have kept minorities out of management.

One year later we have the Schott case. Such problems must not be allowed to continue next season.