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For Aaron and Mays, there was probably some residual racism.
And when Ichiro comes down the pipe, it will be a debate over NPB production. But the sad part is that few writers will even consider the point that the world is not 'free' and not put a check on Ichiro. MLB is a notorious cartel/business model that has very exclusive controls over its employees. The same applies for the NPB, but the writers will nonetheless insult the sovereignity of other league's rules and its former players by penalizing them for what is essentially not under the control of the player.