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Former outfielder Torii Hunter said recently he asked for the Red Sox to be included in his no-trade clause, because of the racial taunts he often endured in Boston. They also banned a fan for life in the 2017 season for using racist language at a game.ĭespite progress, episodes like those show some Black players still have uncomfortable experiences in Boston. In response to Adam Jones being called the N-word at Fenway during a game in 2017, the Red Sox launched their “Take the Lead” initiative along with the other major Boston teams, campaigning against racism and discrimination. The Red Sox have also acted swiftly when confronted with incidents of racism at their own park. And from a public relations standpoint, they’ve never shied away from the organization’s racist past, successfully pushing to rename the short road that houses Fenway Park, “Yawkey Way.” They invested $285 million into Fenway Park in their first decade of ownership, modernizing the 108-year-old stadium and spurring massive economic development in the surrounding area. “They called it Red Sox Nation, but it was never my nation,” Harper told The Boston Globe in 2014.Įver since John Henry purchased the Red Sox in 2001 - part of a complex agreement that included Jeffrey Loria selling the Montreal Expos to MLB - they’ve made cleaning up the organization’s image a priority, both literally and figuratively. Perhaps most notably, former outfielder Tommy Harper filed federal discrimination complaints against the team in 1986, saying they retaliated against him for exposing the whites-only policy for team employees at a private social club near their then-Spring Training facility in Winter Haven, Fla. That even continued after his passing, when his wife became president of the club. Throughout Yawkey’s ownership tenure, the Red Sox were dogged with allegations of racism. Boston politicians ordered him to host a tryout for Black players in 1945, which is where the team declined to sign Robinson. Infamously, Yawkey passed up on Willie Mays and Robinson.Īs Yahoo’s Dan Wetzel notes, Yawkey was even considered regressive in his day. Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey signed outfielder Pumpsie Green in 1959, which was 12 years after Jackie Robinson had debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Red Sox have made inclusivity one of their priorities, which is remarkable, considering the franchise’s shameful history as the last team to sign an African-American player. It is hard to celebrate fandom when fans aren’t physically allowed in the stadium.ĭespite their obvious limitations, the Red Sox say they still intend to commemorate Boston Pride Week in some fashion, whether it’s raising the Pride Flag at Fenway or sending out messages of support to their LGBTQ fans and community at large.
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Even if MLB returns at some point this summer - assuming owners and players stop bickering over stimulating subjects like prorated pay scales - theme nights will be put on hold until 2021. For this proud gay man and lifelong Red Sox fan, it’s one of the surefire harbingers of summer.īoston Pride is postponed this year, along with the MLB season, and our social lives, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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BOSTON RED SOX GAY PRIDE HAT SERIES
Ever since the Red Sox started their Pride series in 2013, they’ve ensured the event is officially part of Boston Pride Week. The Boston Pride Committee was set to celebrate its 50-year anniversary this week, concluding with Pride Night at Fenway Park. IT was going to be the biggest Boston Pride yet, and the Red Sox were planning to play an integral role in the festivities. In the ensuing years, they’ve become champions of LGBTQ pride. The Red Sox held their first Pride Night in 2013, back when the concept wasn’t commonplace.
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“The LGBTQIA+ community support and interest for Pride Night has been tremendous, and I’m look forward to an awesome celebration!” “It’s been so exciting welcoming our fans back to Fenway,” said Travis Pollio, the Red Sox’ senior manager of group sales and promotions. There is also a pre-game party (remember those?) featuring featuring DJ Rich DiMare. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a t-shirt with the Progress Pride “B,” and as expected, the pregame ceremony will be dedicating to celebrating Pride. As always, it coincides with Pride Week in Boston, though it will be one of the few in-person celebrations for Boston Pride this year. UPDATE: After a one-year hiatus, Red Sox Pride Night returns Thursday.