Racism reared its ugly head in professional sports again this week, when Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones said Boston Red Sox fans were yelling racial slurs at him during Monday’s game.
The Red Sox responded beautifully by banning the fan for life and the fans at Fenway Park gave Jones a standing ovation on Tuesday. But for former Twins All-Star Torii Hunter, it was a reminder of the racial slurs he faced as a player.
Hate to hear about the racial slurs thrown at @SimplyAJ10 in Fenway. Unfortunately, it has happened to me and others in the game.#nothingnew
— Torii Hunter (@toriihunter48) May 2, 2017
“I had batteries tossed at me, I had quarters and nickels and dimes, and I would pick them up to get them upset,” Hunter said in an interview with MLB At The Plate. “In the outfield, I was always called the N-word.”
“I had an issue in Kansas City,” Hunter continued. “I had N-word issues there, and we got the guy kicked out. That day we had fans in Kansas City, the Royals fans kind of called him out … and then they called the front office, all the ushers, and they got the police to drag him out of there.”
LeBron James was asked about racism in Boston and he responded with a nearly three-minute answer.
“If we can keep the conversation going, I think it helps.”
LeBron took time to address the delicate situation involving Adam Jones. pic.twitter.com/TeNeGU6Otc
— FOX Sports Ohio (@FOXSportsOH) May 4, 2017
“Racism is gonna be a part of time forever, I believe, but I think for us, the people that have the opportunities to have a voice and people that have an opportunity to have some play on the youth that’s coming up, we have to lead them the best way we can, and we have to live with the results, so hopefully I was able to answer your question,” James said. “It’s a real, real longer conversation, but if we can keep the conversation going, I think it helps.”
The conversation did continue as some Boston radio personalities questioned whether Jones was telling the truth, according to the New York Times.
That irked Jones: “Walk in my shoes and you’ll understand it. For people to defend other people who act like this, it just shows there is a bigger problem.”
