The San Francisco Giants are investigating an incident in which a fan allegedly threw a banana at the opposing team’s centerfielder during a game at AT&T Park on Sunday.
Baltimore Orioles player Adam Jones wrote on Twitter that someone threw the banana in his direction during the ninth inning.
“Way to show ur class u jackass,” Jones wrote.
Jones, who is black, followed up by noting that many people on Twitter were defending whoever threw the banana.
“Good chance this means I get off social media soon,” he wrote.
Bananas have been thrown at other black athletes during sporting events over the decades, and the incidents are generally considered acts of racism.
Jones had just hit a three-run homer in the top half of the ninth inning of the game, which the Orioles won 10-2.
The Giants issued a statement this morning apologizing to Jones and the Orioles for the incident.
“The Giants have a zero tolerance policy against this type of behavior, which results in immediate ejection from the ballpark,” the team said. “While we have been investigating the matter since we learned of the situation, unfortunately we have been unable to identify the person responsible.
“We would like to extend our sincerest apologies to Adam and the entire Orioles organization for this unfortunate incident,” the team said.
“The inappropriate actions of this individual in no way reflect the values of our organization and our fans.”
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
