Dontrelle Willis Thinks Baseball Can Do More

This month, baseball celebrates the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the major league color barrier. Many players will don the number 42 in honor of Robinson, including a whole team. For Dontrelle Willis, there are other ways to honor the legend of Robinson that would probably be higher on his list, and more beneficial.

When asked how the sport can increase its presence among African-Americans, Willis quickly said: "Promote more African-Americans in baseball. "Beat it in people's heads. I think that's what our world is kind of built around. You could do more promoting the players in the game. They have guys like Minnesota's Torii Hunter -- guys who have been here and been doing it for a long time, and have been successful. And they have great charisma."

Willis would be a perfect candidate to have a high profile job in baseball. His own charisma has ensured him that people will eventually forget about events like his drunken driving adventure back in February.

Dontrelle cites former Athletics star Dave Stewart as his inspiration. Stewart has had his own problems realizing his dream of being an MLB general manager back in 2002, when he was passed over for the Blue Jays job for J.P. Ricciardi. Stewart commented on it back in October:

I did say that baseball uses prejudiced policies when it comes to minority hiring in office positions or decision making positions. In my opinion that is a fact if you have two minorities - Omar Minaya who is the General Manager of the Mets and you've got Kenny Williams of the Chicago White Sox. There are many many more candidates who are serving as assistant general managers, scouting directors and minor league directors who are more than qualified to do a general manager's job.

Hopefully Dontrelle isn't going to face the same problems as Stewart if he wants to go in that direction. With the amount of time and effort that baseball spends in its efforts in Asia and Latin America, surely baseball can help promote the game more for African-Americans so that Jackie Robinson's influence can be more than just a number.

Arm Bash: Fire Brand

Previously on The Fanhouse:
Dontrelle Willis Still has Fans
Ken Griffey Jr. will Honor Jackie Robinson