Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones says he dealt with some of the worst fan abuse he has ever experienced at Fenway Park on Monday night, and one of Boston’s biggest stars is encouraging fans to make up for it during Tuesday’s game.
Mookie Betts, a 2016 MVP candidate who is also African-American, sent a tweet encouraging the Red Sox faithful to stand up for Jones.
Fact: I'm Black too Literally stand up for @SimplyAJ10 tonight and say no to racism. We as @RedSox and @MLB fans are better than this.
— Mookie Betts (@mookiebetts) May 2, 2017
Jones told a reporter after Baltimore’s 5-2 win that he was called the N-word a “handful of times,” and one of the 34 fans who were ejected from the game got the boot because he threw peanuts at the center fielder. The Red Sox later released a statement (read it here) saying they will not tolerate fan behavior like that during any game.
With the Red Sox and Orioles appearing as though they are heading for a heated rivalry, heckling of opposing players is to be expected. However, there’s never any excuse for racism or throwing objects at players.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he has reached out to the Red Sox to discuss maintaining a family-friendly environment. It would not be a surprise if fans in Boston cheered for Jones on Tuesday.
