04-16-2009, 10:47 AM
The perception that Wrigley has become a hostile place for black players *IS* a problem. And to the extent that racial slurs are being yelled, that is a *HUGE* problem.
My issue is that this article (and other articles like it) are making it seem like Wrigley Field is:
- a gigantic Klan rally, and
- the only place where fans get ugly and hostile.
The more these opinions get printed and repeated, the more they become accepted "truths."
Does anyone honestly believe that the same stuff doesn't go on at nearly every stadium across the country? Hell, on the other side of town, U.S. Cellular is right next door to Bridgeport -- one of the most notoriously intolerant communities in the city. I would hazard a guess that of the baseball fans in Bridgeport, 99.9% of them are Sox fans. Think any of them might be racist? Think any of them might get drunk and say something ignorant at a game? And yet, I don't see any articles about black players feeling uncomfortable playing at U.S. Cellular. Why is that? Does anyone truly believe that U.S. Cellular is a less hostile environment to play in than Wrigley Field? C'mon. How about Citizen's Bank in Philly? The new Shea Stadium (whatever it is called)? What about either stadium in Texas? Etc., etc., etc.
I don't think it's OK that it happens anywhere -- it shouldn't. I wouldn't have the slightest problem with fans being banned from Wrigley for life (if that were enforceable) for yelling racial slurs. But this notion that it happens at Wrigley more than anywhere else (and it is fast becoming an accepted notion) is preposterous. And all I'm saying is that articles like this one are helping perpetuate that notion. And that upsets me.
My issue is that this article (and other articles like it) are making it seem like Wrigley Field is:
- a gigantic Klan rally, and
- the only place where fans get ugly and hostile.
The more these opinions get printed and repeated, the more they become accepted "truths."
Does anyone honestly believe that the same stuff doesn't go on at nearly every stadium across the country? Hell, on the other side of town, U.S. Cellular is right next door to Bridgeport -- one of the most notoriously intolerant communities in the city. I would hazard a guess that of the baseball fans in Bridgeport, 99.9% of them are Sox fans. Think any of them might be racist? Think any of them might get drunk and say something ignorant at a game? And yet, I don't see any articles about black players feeling uncomfortable playing at U.S. Cellular. Why is that? Does anyone truly believe that U.S. Cellular is a less hostile environment to play in than Wrigley Field? C'mon. How about Citizen's Bank in Philly? The new Shea Stadium (whatever it is called)? What about either stadium in Texas? Etc., etc., etc.
I don't think it's OK that it happens anywhere -- it shouldn't. I wouldn't have the slightest problem with fans being banned from Wrigley for life (if that were enforceable) for yelling racial slurs. But this notion that it happens at Wrigley more than anywhere else (and it is fast becoming an accepted notion) is preposterous. And all I'm saying is that articles like this one are helping perpetuate that notion. And that upsets me.