Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee and his family have donated $6,900 to the campaign.

"This is by far the most I've ever followed the presidential race. My family has really been into it," Lee said. "We've connected with Obama."

Lee said he was even going to try to catch parts of the Democratic National Convention on television.

Lee, of the Cubs, said foreign countries would respect America more if it were to elect an African-American.

"Around the world, they think we're kind of an elitist country. We kind of just go around and think we're entitled to everything," he said. "If they saw a black president, it might change that perception."

Lee gave President George W. Bush credit for helping athletes by lowering their taxes and acknowledged that probably wouldn't happen in an Obama administration, "but it doesn't matter." Supporting Obama is the right thing to do, he said.

He said those who make more money should pay more taxes: "It helps our economy."

Pro sports figures more invested in this presidential campaign
By Paula Lavigne ESPN (Archive) - Updated: September 4, 2008, 3:22 PM ET
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=3565666&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1