Mookie Betts Shows Support for Adam Jones over Racist Insults at Fenway Park

Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts took to Twitter on Tuesday to show his support for Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones, who was subject to racist insults from fans during Monday night's game at Fenway Park:

Jones said after the game a fan threw peanuts at him and called him the N-word "a handful of times," per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

"It's different," Jones said. "Very unfortunate. I heard there was 59 or 60 ejections tonight in the ballpark. It is what it is, right. I just go out and play baseball. It's unfortunate that people need to resort to those type of epithets to degrade another human being. I'm trying to make a living for myself and for my family.

"It's unfortunate. The best thing about myself is that I continue to move on and still play the game hard. Let people be who they are. Let them show their true colors."

The Red Sox publicly confirmed a fan was thrown out of the ballpark for throwing peanuts at Jones. They also issued an apology, saying they have "zero tolerance for such inexcusable behavior." Jones said he hopes the Red Sox file full charges against the person responsible, who is still unnamed at this time.

“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."

The Red Sox have four African-American players on their roster, which is one of the highest totals in the sport. In addition to Betts, Jackie Bradley, Chris Young and David Price are African-Americans.

Black participation in the sport has dropped precipitously in recent years, with African-American players representing just 7.7 percent of MLB rosters. 

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred issued a statement earlier Tuesday calling the fan's actions "inexcusable."