Red Sox confirm Torii Hunter's 'experience' with racism at Fenway is 'real'

Last week, former outfielder Torii Hunter explained his experience with racism in the MLB, saying that level of racial taunts he heard at Fenway Park caused him to put the Red Sox in no-trade clauses in his contract. The Red Sox have responded by fully supporting Hunter's claim while acknowledging the unacceptable amount of racial slurs that take place every year at Fenway.

"Torii Hunter's experience is real. If you doubt him because you've never heard it yourself, take it from us, it happens," the Red Sox said in a statement. "Last year, there were 7 reported incidents at Fenway Park where fans used racial slurs. Those are just the ones we know about. And it's not only players. It happens to the dedicated Black employees who work for us on game days. Their uniforms may be different, but their voices and experiences are just as important."

During an appearance on Golic and Wingo, Hunter dove into his troubling experiences as a player at Fenway.

"I've been called the N-word in Boston 100 times," Hunter said. "Little kids, with their parents right next to them. ... That's why I had a no-trade clause to Boston in every contract I had."

In the statement released by the Red Sox, they said "there are well-established consequences for fans who use racial slurs and hate speech in our venue, and we know we have more work to do." The team's sincere acknowledgment of the issue seems to have convinced Hunter, as he tweeted out his support of the team's statement on Twitter with the caption: "Change starts now. Much love!"