Final answer:
Billy's lack of success in the Major Leagues, despite having all the necessary talent, could be attributed to external factors such as racial discrimination, societal barriers, or a lack of support and networks, as seen in the examples of players like Josh Gibson and Jackie Robinson.
Step-by-step explanation:
Success in the Major Leagues of baseball requires not only individual talent but also the opportunity for that talent to be recognized and cultivated within the professional sports framework. The student's question refers to a hypothetical scenario where an individual, Billy, has all the tools to be a star in the Major Leagues but is not successful. An analysis of historical cases suggests that there could be external factors at play, such as racial discrimination or lack of support systems.
One significant example is Josh Gibson, often referred to as the "black Babe Ruth," who had an impressive career in baseball and would have likely been a Major League star were it not for the color barrier at the time. Similarly, Babe Ruth was a cultural icon and represented the excesses of the 1920s, but his success was also a product of the opportunities afforded to him. In contrast, Jackie Robinson, despite the challenges he faced, became the first African American star player in the Major Leagues. His success was largely due to his exceptional skill as well as the changing cultural landscape that began to challenge segregation.
Therefore, it can be inferred that while Billy may have had the inherent talent, external factors such as societal barriers, systemic problems within the league, or lack of networks and support could have hindered his ability to succeed at the professional level.