Just one night removed from an incident at Fenway Park in which Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones was taunted with racial slurs by Red Sox fans, the Red Sox organization has banned another fan for life for using a racial slur directed at another fan.
The incident reportedly took place during Tuesday night's game and the punishment was announced last night. Red Sox President Sam Kennedy told reporters, per ESPN,
"I'm here to send a message loud and clear that the treatment of others that you've been reading about here lately is unacceptable."
"We have to recognize that this exists in our culture," Kennedy said. "It's not indicative of Boston.
"It's a handful of ignorant and intolerant people."
The fan's identity was not revealed but the Boston Police Department's civil rights unit is investigating the case and will determine whether further action is necessary.
Adam Jones had previously asked for harsher punishment for fans like this, even suggesting tens of thousands of dollars in fines rather than a ban from the stadium.
“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."
“That’s how you hurt somebody. You suspend them from the stadium, what does that mean? It’s a slap on the wrist. That guy needs to be confronted, and he needs to pay for what he’s done."