Mariner Player Development Executive Creates Stir With ‘Blackface’ Remark

Seattle Mariner officials said Wednesday they believe their director of player development remains committed to promoting minorities within the team’s front office, despite a racially suggestive comment he made.

Mariner President Chuck Armstrong and General Manager Dick Balderson met Wednesday with Bill Haywood to discuss the remark Haywood made to a weekend meeting of the Northwest chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research.

When asked about major league baseball’s pledge to promote blacks in front-office jobs, Haywood had replied: “I told my wife to get the burnt cork, because I’m probably going to have to wear blackface from here on out.”

Haywood confirmed Tuesday night that he had made such a remark.

“That’s terrible!” Armstrong said Tuesday, when he heard about it.

After the meeting Wednesday, Armstrong said in a statement: “Dick and I met this morning with Bill and, after a lengthy discussion, remain convinced that Bill’s true convictions coincide with those of our organization.

“To reiterate our club philosophy, we are committed to implement an employment opportunity program that will continue the advancement of all minorities within our front office.”

Haywood oversees the Mariners’ minor league system and reports directly to Balderson.

Haywood said in response to a question about the burnt cork statement: “If I screwed up, I screwed up. But it does make me angry. I’m all in favor of minorities. All minorities. But when they talk about minorities now, it all comes down to one color.”