Red Sox ADMIT there is racism among their Fenway Park fans after Torii Hunter revealed he refused to play for Boston because the crowd called him the 'N-Word 100 times'
The Boston Red Sox organization has admitted that racism exists in its Fenway Park crowd after former MLB star Torii Hunter revealed that he refused to play for the team due to the constant harassment by fans.
Hunter, who played for the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins, spoke about the consistent racial abuse and even told a story about children calling him the N-word when he played at Fenway Park.
'After a while, I just kind of shoved it off and I went out and played. I played with aggression though. I played like I really wanted to play well in Fenway. It has nothing to do with the Red Sox. It has nothing to do with the players. It has nothing to do with the organization. It really has nothing to do with the fans. But that's the issue when you hear that,' Hunter told WEEI's The Greg Hill Show earlier this week.
'This is my experience. So when people say, "That's not true. Give me proof," that's stupid. That's stupid. Because you have people saying it forever. We're not listening.
The Boston Red Sox organization has admitted that racism exists in its Fenway Park crowd after Torii Hunter (left and right) revealed that he refused to play for the team due to the constant harassment by fans
Hunter spoke about the consistent racial abuse and even told a story about children calling him the N-word when he played at Fenway Park (file image, April 2019)
'It really dawned on me when I saw four or five kids chanting the N-word in the outfield. This is my story and it's not a lie. When I heard "N-word, N-word" just chanting my name and I looked at these grown-ups and they are clapping and laughing. I'm pointing saying, "Tell them to shut up. That's bad."
'They can say, "You suck Torii," or "You can't hit water if you fell out of a boat." But that N-word I don't like. I'm from Pine Bluff, Arkansas and I hated it. So when I looked at the grown-ups and they didn't do anything, that's not a Red Sox issue. That's an issue in society,' Hunter said.
Hunter also made similar comments on ESPN’s Golic and Wingo last week while addressing the death of George Floyd, who died after white Minneapolis cop, Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds.
'I’ve been called the N-word in Boston 100 times, and I said something about it,' Hunter said.
'So I had a no-trade clause in everything I had not to go to Boston. … Not because of all the people, not because of the teammates, not because of the front office. Because if you’re doing that and it’s allowed amongst the people, I don’t want to be there. And that’s why I had a no-trade clause to Boston. Every contract I’ve ever had. And I always wanted to play for them. It sucks,' he told ESPN.
Following Hunter's comments, the Red Sox released a statement on Wednesday supporting him.
Following Hunter's comments, the Red Sox released a statement on Wednesday supporting him
After the Red Sox released their statement, Hunter retweeted it with the caption: 'Change starts now. Much love!'
'Torri Hunter's experience is real. If you doubt him because you've never heard it yourself, take it from us, it happens,' the statement begins.
'Last year there were 7 reported incidents at Fenway Park where fans used racial slurs. Those are just the ones we know about.
'And it's not only players. It happens to the dedicated Black employees who work for us on game days. Their uniforms may be different, but their voices and experiences are just as important.'
In the statement the Red Sox said they have 'well-established consequences for fans who use racial slurs' and noted that they know there's still more work to be done.
'True change starts from within, and as we identify how we can do better, please know we are listening. We hear you, and we believe you,' the team said.
After the Red Sox released their statement, Hunter retweeted it with the caption: 'Change starts now. Much love!'
Red Sox ADMIT there is racism among their Fenway Park fans after Torii Hunter revealed he refused to play for Boston because the crowd called him the 'N-Word 100 times'
![Red Sox ADMIT there is racism among their Fenway Park fans after Torii Hunter revealed he refused to play for Boston because the crowd called him the 'N-Word 100 times']()
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