Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts might be the reigning American League MVP, but not many outside of Baseball circles could tell you that fact or even recognize him.
That is truly a problem and his teammate David Price wants to see that change.
“I saw the Brewers’ first baseman (Jesus Aguilar) has a commercial on MLB Network,” Price told Christopher Smith of MassLive. “Great player. Great player. I love watching him play. I’ve heard nothing but great things about him from Travis Shaw and all those guys. But he’s not Mookie Betts. We’re trying to grow this game in the African-American community. Put that guy (Betts) on commercials.”
“MLB is probably the worst at marketing their players,” he added. “They need to do a better job of that. We’ve talked about that to the union and (MLB commissioner) Mr. (Rob) Manfred many times.”
According to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports, Major League Baseball saw a slight increase in African-American ballplayers on active rosters in 2018.
Price truly believes that Major League Baseball is missing out on a prime opportunity to increase baseball interest among young African-Americans by not marketing Betts. He boldly stated Betts “could be the face of baseball.”
“Market the African-American stars in baseball better,” Price continued. “And the other players. Everybody. Market us better. Mookie Betts doesn’t have a single commercial. He’s one of the most marketable people in all of baseball. He plays for the Red Sox and he’s African-American.”
