Cleveland IF Yu Chang received racist messages after error

Cleveland shortstop Yu Chang (2) stretches before a game against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland infielder Yu Chang received racist messages on social media after error in loss

By Blake Harper | Last updated 4/13/21

Cleveland infielder Yu Chang revealed on Twitter that he had received racist messages from angry fans after his costly throwing error in Monday night's loss to the White Sox.

Chang, who has played for Cleveland for stretches over the last three seasons, shared screenshots of three different accounts using anti-Asian insults against him. According to ESPN, two of the accounts appear to no longer exist, as they have likely been deleted after Chang called out their racist attacks.

"Exercise your freedom of speech in a right way, I accept all comments, positive or negative but DEFINITELY NOT RACIST ONES," Chang wrote as the caption in a tweet. "Thank you all and love you all. #StopAsianHate."

In the ninth inning of the game between Cleveland and Chicago, Chang allowed the White Sox to score the go-ahead run when he accidentally hit Chicago's Yasmani Grandal with a throw while he was heading towards second base, which allowed Nick Madrigal to score the winning run.

Anti-Asian racism has grown significantly over the last year, as hate crimes against Asian Americans increased by nearly 150% in major cities. Last month, a mass shooting in the Atlanta area resulted in the death of six Asian women, sparking the #StopAsianHate movement online.

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