Kevin Youkilis was one of the most beloved Red Sox players during their World Series runs in 2004 and 2007. But the infielder didn't love everything about his experience in Boston over the years. In an interview with Fox Sports Radio earlier this week, the star revealed that he saw his African American teammates face racism in Boston throughout his time with the Red Sox.
From the interview with Fox Sports Radio:
"Boston was tough. Being a fan favorite there, being a white guy, being Jewish with Brookline right down the street – a very Jewish neighborhood, I was lucky. They loved me. But I did see some tension with even my own teammates. There was one incident where a fan came running down and was being extra harsh towards one of our black players, and I just got fed up and I stood up and told him to 'Shut the 'F' up, and if you don't like it get out of here.'"
Youkilis elaborated by saying that it wasn't a large group of fans that he saw taunt African American players, but that the group is still "too big."
"I will never forget that moment because I was boiling," he said. "You could see the tension, and it wasn't the same tension that was towards a white player. For the most part, I'd like to say too, though, with Red Sox fans, it's not the majority it's a minority of people that act like that. But the minority is too big, and you have to eliminate that."
Youkilis had plenty of exposure to the type of atmospheres at Fenway Park. The Red Sox slugger called Boston home from 2004 to 2012 and is a member of the franchise's Hall of Fame.
He is not the only player that witnessed racism at Fenway Park. Retired Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Torii Hunter experienced racism at the ballpark firsthand. He spoke to ESPN earlier this month and claimed that he was called the N-word on several occasions while playing in Boston on opposing teams.
"I would get it everywhere," Hunter said during a radio appearance on WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show" on Wednesday. "Seattle. Kansas City. Kansas City once did something to validate it. When they called me the 'N' word standing over our dugout. Our whole team was almost going to jump this guy, but this guy's kid covered his mouth. The police right next to our dugout got up and took him to a back room, talked to him, interrogated him and banned him for life. That was cool. I was like, 'Wow, Kansas City took care of that.'
"But when I went to Boston it was so consistent. After a while, I just kind of shoved it off and I went out and played. I played with aggression though. I played like I really wanted to play well in Fenway. It has nothing to do with the Red Sox. It has nothing to do with the players. It has nothing to do with the organization. It really has nothing to do with the fans. But that's the issue when you hear that… It has something to do with society."
Hunter added that he was afraid for his family to attend games at Fenway Park. The veteran outfielder noted that the racism he experience in Boston push him to demand a no-trade clause during his career -- and that the Red Sox were always on it.
The Red Sox acknowledged the issues they've had with racism at Fenway Park in a team statement earlier this week. In the statement, the club revealed that there were "seven reported incidents" of racism at the ballpark during the 2019 season.
