If what Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones says is true, racial tension is alive and well at the San Francisco Giants' AT&T Park.
Jones hit his 24th home run of the season, a three-run shot that helped the Orioles rout the Giants 10-2. After the game, however, Jones tweeted that a person in the crowd threw a banana at him in the outfield, according to USA Today.
The tweet said, "I want to than whatever slap---- threw that banana towards my direction in the CF in the last inning. Way to show ur class, jack---."
USA Today added that no video has yet surfaced to confirm Jones' claim, but theorized that Jones would have no reason to make up such a story.
The report said throwing bananas still is done with regularity in European soccer, especially in Italy, but the racist gesture rarely happens in American sports.
Most went on Jones' Twitter account in support of the Orioles slugger, but a couple of tweets tried to rationalize the action or choose to focus on Jones' tweet instead.
From the account of Robert, @CrushFan4Life:
"@HumandChuck @SimplyAJ10 I wouldnt say racist, but Jones hit that three run shot in the top half of the inning... thats probably y"
And from Brett, @ B_Kowalewski:
"@SimplyAJ10 Great show of professionalism. You kiss your mother with that mouth?"
At first, Jones tried to play it off, responding, "I love how some ppl are defending the actions by someone today. Shows how u really are also. All good wit me. I just #StayHungry"
But a minute later, he let his frustration show.
"Good chance this means I get off social media soon"
USA Today added that the claim merits an investigation from the Giants' management and Major League Baseball.
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