MLB outfielder Delino DeShields Jr. says he was the target of racial abuse at Yankee Stadium.
DeShields, the son of former major leaguer Delino DeShields, recently detailed a disturbing incident in the Bronx during his rookie year of 2015, in an interview with ESPN.
It began with two fans heckling him, DeShields said.
"They were wearing me out, talking about my sister, how I would never be as good as my dad, normal stuff."
But it eventually took a disturbing turn, with the fans resorting to racist slurs, DeShields said, including the N-word.
"I turned around and I told them to f-ck off," DeShields said. "'I'll beat your ass.' I was mad as f-ck at that point. That's f-cked up."
The Rangers swept a three-game set a Yankee Stadium on May 22-24, 2015. DeShields collected four hits and two walks in 16 plate appearances.
DeShields joins other black MLB players, including Torii Hunter and CC Sabathia, who have opened up about their experiences with anti-black discrimination at a handful of ballparks amid the national conversation over racism and police brutality after the death of George Floyd.
Fewer than 10 percent of major leaguers are black, down by as much as half from the latter decades of the 20th century. Several black players have opened up about
DeShields said it all adds up to an intimidating and isolating existence for black players.
"In that sense, you feel very alone. Even if you do say something, how many people are going to do something about it? That's just a situation where you feel alone."
Elsewhere in the article, DeShields expressed regret for not kneeling in solidarity with former Oakland A's catcher Bruce Maxwell, and explains his reverence for the Negro Leagues, which drove him to get several of the league's greatest stars tattooed on his legs.
DeShields had a promising rookie year but has struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness since, even spending some time in the minors. Now 27, he was dealt to the Cleveland Indians this offseason in the trade that brought Corey Kluber to the Rangers.
