The Colorado Rockies have launched an investigation after a fan repeatedly aimed a racial slur at Miami Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson during an at-bat on Sunday at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado.
Brinson, who is Black, stepped up to the plate in the top of the ninth innings of the Rockies’ 13-8 win against the Marlins. After he faced the second pitch, a fan could be clearly heard using the N-word through the microphones of the Bally Sports Florida broadcast.
Former ESPN and CNN anchor Keith Olbermann and 2009 World Series champion Jerry Hairston Jr. were among those sharing footage of the incident on Twitter, with the two clips rackingup approximately three million views at the time of writing.
“Shouting the N-word at a game? Where is the @Rockies statement on how they apprehended the racist and what they did to him?,” Olbermann tweeted.
“Where is @mlb ‘s investigation? This is a private business and they are responsible for the conduct of their patrons.”
Shouting the N-word at a game? Where is the @Rockies statement on how they apprehended the racist and what they did to him? Where is @mlb’s investigation?
This is a private business and they are responsible for the conduct of their patrons.
pic.twitter.com/LEeJVLmpVz
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann)
Hairston Jr. added: “There are cameras just about everywhere in MLB park. Hopefully @MLB & @Rockies find the coward and take action.”
There are cameras just about everywhere in MLB parks. Hopefully @MLB & @Rockies find the coward and take action. #MLB pic.twitter.com/5wKxyFWgAv
— Jerry Hairston, Jr. (@TheRealJHair)
The Rockies eventually released a statement after the game, condemning the incident and acknowledging the culprit was yet to be identified.
“The Colorado Rockies are disgusted at the racial slur by a fan directed at the Marlins’ Lewis Brinson during the ninth inning of today’s game,” the team said.
“Although the subject was not identified prior to the end of the game, the Rockies are still investigating this incident.
“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.”
MLB teams must “continue to work together to ensure that racism is never tolerated on or off the field,” MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark said in a statement on Sunday night.
“While many are truly committed to respect and equality for all, the abhorrent racial animus displayed today highlights that there is still much work to be done,” Clark added.
Paul Severino, the Marlins’ play-by-play announcer, echoed the statement.
I’m absolutely disgusted at the language that was picked up by the mics late in the game today.
The level of hate that was displayed has no place in this world. Unfortunately it’s still far too prevalent. We need to be better. And soon.
Awful.
— Paul Severino (@SeverinoMLB)
“I’m absolutely disgusted at the language that was picked up by the mics late in the game today,” he tweeted.
“The level of hate that was displayed has no place in this world. Unfortunately it’s still far too prevalent. We need to be better. And soon. Awful.”
Severino had immediately apologized to viewers as soon as the racial slurs were heard during the broadcast.
This content was originally published here.
