Last week, former MLB outfielder Torii Hunter detailed the racial abuse he experienced as a visiting player in Boston during his playing career.
He told Golic & Wingo in a radio appearance that the experience at Fenway Park was so bad that he made a point to include a non-trade clause to the Red Sox in all of his contracts. And Hunter wasn’t alone. Black players have long faced racial abuse during visits to Fenway Park. Adam Jones spoke out about his experience in 2017.
And despite those numerous allegations of racism from Boston fans, there were Red Sox fans who dismissed the notion that Fenway could have a racism problem.
On Wednesday, the Red Sox organization made a surprising public acknowledgment of Fenway’s racist incidents, condemning those racist fans in a statement while offering support for Hunter.
In the statement, the Red Sox said that “Torii Hunter’s experience is real.” The team also disclosed that the organization handled seven reported incidents of racism last season and expected more went unreported.
The team also vowed to do a better job, saying, “True change starts from within.”
Let’s hope the Red Sox follow through on those remarks.
