BOSTON — Jackie Bradley Jr. is a native of Richmond, Va., the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War.
Racism and social injustice aren’t just talking points in the Red Sox outfielder’s home city. They’re deeply ingrained in its history, with landmarks and monuments serving as a daily reminder of the treasonous effort to secede from the United States.
The killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 sparked protests throughout the [...]
BOSTON — Jackie Bradley Jr. is a native of Richmond, Va., the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War.
Racism and social injustice aren’t just talking points in the Red Sox outfielder’s home city. They’re deeply ingrained in its history, with landmarks and monuments serving as a daily reminder of the treasonous effort to secede from the United States.
The killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 sparked protests throughout the nation, and Bradley was among those to speak out. He appeared in a June video clip released by Major League Baseball in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, one that featured the likes of Mookie Betts, Andrew McCutchen and Aaron Judge.
"There’s a lot of feelings, emotions, hurt, pain that goes along with a lot of things that have been voiced," Bradley said on Monday at Fenway Park. "It’s something that’s not going to be so-called fixed overnight. This is something that requires change, and it has to start with a change of the heart.
"That’s what it all goes back to. You’ve got to have the heart to be able to physically, emotionally and mentally make that change — to be better — not only for yourself, but for others around. We’ve come a long way as a nation, but we still have some way to go."
Boston manager Ron Roenicke was among those who reached out to Bradley prior to Summer Camp’s beginning last week. He also spoke with retired outfielder Torii Hunter, Red Sox vice president of media relations Kevin Gregg and former Boston outfielder Dave Roberts — now managing Betts and the Dodgers — in the wake of the protests.
"The biggest thing is we’re listening and we need to listen," Roenicke said. "We need to pay attention to what’s going on. We need to try to get this country back to a place where everybody is feeling like they’re getting treated fairly.
"I know Dave Roberts had a statement early on. He said something good needs to come out of this. I think everybody feels that way."
Hunter recently revealed he had a no-trade clause in his contract during his playing days that would have prevented him from being dealt to Boston. The Red Sox and the city itself have a well-documented, disappointing history when it comes to race relations and equality. Boston was the last American League team to integrate its roster — 12 years after Jackie Robinson’s 1947 debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers — and desegregating the city’s schools resulted in riots and a busing crisis in the 1970s.
"I’ve talked with Torii since I was a rookie, and he’s an amazing mentor," Bradley said. "He’s somebody you can go to and just discuss anything, whether it’s life, baseball, family.
"There are a lot of guys I’ve spoken with along the way. For them to be able to give me knowledge to use and help my career, it’s something I’m very appreciative of.
"I think everybody has different experiences. I’m not here to compare my experiences to his. We’ve all had different experiences in certain situations and certain places. I just hope that we get better and make a change."
The Red Sox confirmed at least seven instances in 2019 where racial slurs were directed at players on the field or club employees. Veteran outfielder Adam Jones, then with the Orioles, reported being verbally abused by Boston fans using the n-word in 2017. Gerry Callahan and Kirk Minihane, the former morning radio show co-hosts for the club’s flagship station at WEEI, questioned the veracity of those claims on their personal Twitter accounts.
"I don’t have all the answers, but I do know it helps that we come together," Bradley said. "Knowing that we’re together and to be able to make a difference, that goes a long way."
Social distancing currently prevents Roenicke from addressing the team in a customary manner. Workouts have been held in shifts through the first four days, with small groups taking the field at different times. Roenicke would like to hold a conversation involving all players and staff members at some point if possible.
"(Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom) made a comment about the responsibility we have even though we may not be guilty of something," Roenicke said. "We still are responsible, and I think that’s huge. I think I probably am guilty in some areas and I for sure am responsible with what goes on."
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @BillKoch25