Written by ESPN News Staff at ESPN.com
Four fans seated above the Green Monster at Fenway Park dropped down a sign that read “Racism is as American as baseball” during the fourth inning of the Red Sox’s game against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night.
The sign was draped over the top, middle section of the Green Monster and had a black background with white letters.
It was up for about one batter. There were a smattering of boos from the crowd as Red Sox security forced those holding the sign to remove it and escorted the people from their seats. Umpire Joe West and police were seen on the field discussing what happened.
“During the fourth inning of tonight’s game, four fans unfurled a banner over the left-field wall in violation of the club’s policy prohibiting signs of any kind to be hung or affixed to the ballpark,” a Red Sox spokesperson said. “The individuals involved were escorted out of Fenway Park.”
One of those ejected, who confirmed their identity to CSN New England with a photo of the banner from a unique vantage as it was being unfurled, said the protest was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Boston Globe reported no arrests were made in connection with the incident. Red Sox president and CEO Sam Kennedy told the newspaper: “Clearly they wanted to make a statement.”
The Red Sox lost the game 7-3. Afterward, what happened in that fourth inning was a topic in the home clubhouse.
“There’s no place for that,” outfielder Mookie Betts said. “That’s for another day, though.”
Added manager John Farrell: “Saw it was draped over the Monster. From the dugout, you see someone expressing their opinion and it looked like it was withdrawn relatively quick.”
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