Mayor Walsh Calls Fenway Racist Taunts 'Unacceptable'
BOSTON (CBS) -- After Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones said he was subjected to racist taunts and heckling at Fenway Park Monday night, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh had strong words for the "arrogant, ignorant" people responsible.
"Something like this doesn't belong in sports," Walsh told WBZ NewsRadio 1030. "I wish we could find out who these people were or who this person was that says this. If they claim to be a sports fan, they're not a sports fan--nothing but a racist."
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
Mayor Walsh apologized on behalf of the city, and said he was upset that Jones got that kind of welcome at Fenway.
"I'm upset about this," Walsh said. "Certainly we don't condone this type of behavior. The City of Boston, the Red Sox organization doesn't condone this type of behavior. It's an unfortunate incident, and it should not reflect the city, who we are as Boston."
Boston Mayor @marty_walsh says when it comes to allegations of #racism of #fenway--there is no place for that in #Boston.
— KarynRegal (@Karynregal) May 2, 2017
The Red Sox told WBZ-TV's Dan Roche there were 34 ejections at Fenway Monday night, one for the person who threw peanuts at Jones and one for language toward a player. There are normally 12-to-15 ejections per game at Fenway, according to the team.
More: Red Sox Apologize To Orioles' Adam Jones, Call Racist Remarks From Fans 'Inexcusable Behavior'
Gov. Charlie Baker also weighed in on Twitter, calling the fans' behavior "unacceptable & shameful."
Fenway fans behavior at the #RedSox game last night was unacceptable & shameful. This is not what Massachusetts & Boston are about.
— Charlie Baker (@MassGovernor) May 2, 2017
Gov. Baker told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope that what the "fan" did approaches simple assault.
"Let's face it, in this day and age, players and fans are pretty close to each other, and it might be time to think about how do we protect players from people like that," he said. "I'm not going to tell the Red Sox how to run the ball team, but I would never want to see that guy at Fenway Park again.
BPD Commisssion Bill Evans says if charges are warranted in racial incident at Fenway, they'll bring them. Still under investigation.
— Lana Jones (@Lanawbz) May 2, 2017
MLB commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. said his office has been in contact with the Red Sox organization.
"The racist words and actions directed at Adam Jones at Fenway Park last night are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated at any of our ballparks," Manfred's statement read. "Any individual who behaves in such offensive fashion will be immediately removed from the ballpark and subject to further action."
As for how he thinks fans will respond when Jones returns to play Tuesday night, Walsh said he hopes Jones will get a "standing ovation when he hits the field."
"I think the Red Sox fans will step it up tonight, and I think they'll send a very positive message," he said. "I think that's what we do in Boston."
Listen to Mayor Walsh's interview with WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Matt Ledin
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports