Adam Jones, outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles, was harassed by Boston Red Sox fans who hurled racial slurs and threw peanuts at him on Monday.
The Orioles beat the Red Sox 5-2, but Jones found it hard to celebrate with all the hate being spewed his way.
“I heard the N-word,” Jones told reporters on Tuesday. “It was not clever. It was stupid and ignorant.”
Jones says his initial reaction was,”OK. This is really how it’s going to go down here. … Square up. Let’s fight and get it over with.”
The Red Sox organization issued an apology to Jones both publicly and in person.
“No player should have an object thrown at him on the playing field, nor be subjected to any kind of racism at Fenway Park.” The entire organization, the team said, was “sickened by the conduct of an ignorant few.”
John Henry, the Red Sox’s principal owner, visited Jones Monday night to apologize for the unruly fans.
“I liked and appreciated he came and talked to me face to face,” Jones said. “He expressed his disgust and apologized for the whole city.”
Marty Walsh, Boston’s mayor, also apologized on behalf of the city. “What happened last night at Fenway Park is unacceptable and not who we are as a city,” he tweeted. “These words and actions have no place in Fenway, Boston or anywhere. We are better than this.”
Jones understands that trash talking is part of the game, and understands that. However, he wants to keep the extra hate out of it.
“It’s Orioles-Red Sox. I don’t need any special treatment,” Jones said. “I just don’t want any racial stuff.”
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