More On:
mlb
Controversial ex-MLBer blames ‘liberal Karens’ after getting kicked off Twitter
Angel in the outfield: Meet the Dodgers ball girl who went viral after an epic fan tackle
Rockies say fan wasn’t using N-word in viral video after mascot clue emerges
MLB, Barstool Sports in significant talks to broadcast games
Miami Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson said he still keeps “hearing the N-word” on the video clip of a fan yelling during his at-bat against the Rockies on Sunday. Since then, the Rockies have said that the fan was in fact yelling “Dinger,” Colorado’s mascot after an investigation.
“So I watched the video at least 50 times in the past 15-16 hours,” Brinson said, according to the Associated Press after a game in San Diego Monday. “I watched it a lot, especially when I heard that he said ‘Dinger’ instead of the N-word.
“I personally — this is again my personal opinion — I personally keep hearing the N-word. It’s not that I want to hear it, I never want to hear it. Personally, I’ve never been called that in-person to my face on the baseball field, outside the baseball field, ever, so I don’t know what my reaction would be if I got called that.
“But to now, saying that again, I haven’t talked to the Rockies or that fan personally. If that’s the case, then I’m sorry for any backlash or anything he’s getting right now.”
On Sunday night, a video circulated on social media of Brinson’s ninth-inning at-bat, during which a fan can be heard screaming what many thought to be a racial slur.
The Colorado Rockies released a statement on Sunday night saying they were investigating the situation. On Monday, after video clips showed the fan gesturing towards the mascot, the Rockies released a second statement.
“After a thorough investigation that included calls, emails and video clips from concerned fans, media and broadcast partners, the Colorado Rockies have concluded that the fan was indeed yelling for Rockies mascot Dinger in hopes of getting his attention for a photo, and there was never any racial slur that occurred,” the team said in a statement.
“The Rockies remain dedicated to providing an inclusive environment for all fans, players and guests at Coors Field and any fan using derogatory language of any kind will be ejected from Coors Field.”
see also
The Rockies said that fans in the area reached out to the organization defending the fan, after its statement Sunday night reiterating its “zero tolerance” policy to ban fans from Coors Field for life if they use such disrespectful language.
“The Rockies have zero tolerance for any form of racism or discrimination, and any fan using derogatory language of any kind will be ejected and banned from Coors Field.”
The Rockies reached out to the fan who said it was all a misunderstanding.
No players reacted to the shouts during the game.
“Neither Lewis, nor any other Marlins on the field or in the dugout, heard what was shouted,” Marlins spokesman Jason Latimer said in a text message to The Associated Press. “We brought the matter to the attention of the Rockies. How the matter is being handled, I would have to defer to them.”
Brinson said that he has been getting lots of support on social media. Brinson acknowledged that racism is something that MLB players experience in the league.
“I’m getting a lot of love and support on Instagram and I’m sure on Twitter. I appreciate that wholeheartedly, 100%. Again I’m a human, I have sympathy. If he was yelling for the mascot, I am sorry for any backlash or any unnecessary attention he’s getting right now,” he said.
“But this does happen in our game. I don’t know if a lot of people know this. Again personally, I’ve never been called that … but I know a lot of Black players have and it’s disgusting and needs to stop like right now. There’s no place for that in sports, there’s no place for that in life. I just don’t want to have that situation thrown under the rug.”
The Rockies have no plans to change the mascot’s name, the AP reports.