Adam Jones’ Ugly Experience at Fenway Mars O’s Win

O’s centerfielder Adam Jones was harassed by Boston fans, who threw racial slurs and had a bag of peanuts his way during Monday’s 5-2 win over the Red Sox.

Baltimore Orioles All-Star center fielder Adam Jones was berated by racist taunts at Fenway Park while a bag of peanuts was thrown at him Monday night, calling it one of the worst cases of fan abuse he has heard in his career.

“A disrespectful fan threw a bag of peanuts at me,’’ Jones said, “I was called the N-word a handful of times tonight. Thanks. Pretty awesome.’’

Jones, one of just 62 African-Americans on opening-day rosters this year, said he has been subjected to racist hecklings in the past at Fenway Park, but said this was one of the worst experiences of his 12-year career.

Somebody just threw something at Adam Jones as he was walking down into the dugout. Security searching for culprit. pic.twitter.com/aNiQ9pchqX

— Avi Miller ???? (@AviMiIIer) May 2, 2017

Shocked? I know I am. A professional African American baseball player was treated to racial slurs and was almost hit with a projectile by unruly fans in the year 2017.

This should not be happening anywhere, let alone in the game of baseball.

As a senior at Mount St. Mary’s University, I am currently taking a course called “Class, Race, and Baseball” which discusses the history of baseball and the many racial and class issues involved. I learned about the awful and racist manner in which the MLB has has treated African American players, and how it wasn’t until Jackie Robinson became a defining difference for the game as he debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 and opened the doors for African American ball players like Willie Mays and Hank Aaron. Today, we take it for granted that everyone, regardless of race, has a right to participate in the MLB or any professional sport. But it wasn’t that long ago that things were very different.

I bring this up, because on a few occasions, Jones has dealt with this kind of thing. In 2013 in San Francisco, a fan threw a banana peel at him – remember that?

It is unacceptable for fans to be throwing objects and/or hateful, racist words at any athlete on the field in today’s society. Jones has done nothing but be a great ambassador for the game of baseball, carrying on the tradition of Robinson and other great African American baseball players before him.

I understand that it was a just few unruly fans that spoiled the game at Fenway Park on Monday night, but those fans need to be disciplined by the Red Sox organization and by Major League Baseball.

Jones agreed:

Jones was grateful the fan was caught who threw the bag of peanuts toward him into the dugout, but wishes the punishment was much more severe.

“It’s pathetic,’’ he said. “It’s called a coward. What they need to do is that instead of kicking them out of the stadium, they need to fine them 10 grand, 20 grand, 30 grand. Something that really hurts somebody. Make them pay in full. And if they don’t, take it out of their check.

There is no place for this kind of thing in the ballpark, and I’m with Jones here. Fans who are caught saying a racial slur, or especially participating in a potentially dangerous situation like throwing any object at a player, regardless of race, should be banned for life from all stadiums in the MLB. And if fans knew acting like this would hurt them in the wallet, they wouldn’t be nearly as brazen and cowardly.

I write this passionate article because I am like many of you in that I’m absolutely shocked. I am ashamed and disappointed that a group of my fellow baseball fans – heck, my fellow human beings – could say racist and awful words to a man who is just out there doing his job. A man who is great role model for kids who has done extraordinary things for baseball and our community here in Baltimore.

I wrote an article awhile back, describing Jones as a great man that treated me with respect and dignity as a former worker at Oriole Park. Jones was a great friend to us there and gave us an opportunity to get know him personally. This whole ugly incident is a downright disgrace and it hurts me as a baseball fan and as a fan of Jones.

This man deserves our respect, and should never be put through this type of situation again.

The final point here being that racism needs to leave the game of baseball immediately. It is absolutely unacceptable, and a shame on these fans. MLB needs to take a stand, and finally put an end to a long and disgusting history that has put a dark shadow on its legacy.

Baseball is a game for everyone, and players like Adam Jones do not deserve this type of treatment. Period.