Rockies denounce racial slurs against Marlins’ Lewis Brinson

The Colorado Rockies are scrambling to identify a fan whose microphones appeared to catch him shouting racial slurs at Miami Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson during Sunday’s game, an incident which the team said the left “disgusted”.

The alleged insults came in the ninth inning at Coors Field with Brinson at home and appeared clearly audible on Bally Sports Florida, to the point that Marlins play-by-play announcer Paul Severino immediately apologized to viewers for the language.

Hours after the game, the Rockies released a statement denouncing the still-unidentified fan and saying they were investigating the incident. The team has indicated that any fan exhibiting such behavior will be banned from Coors Field.

The MLBPA also released a statement from Executive Director Tony Clark, saying there was work to be done to eliminate racism from the sport.

Condemnation of the incident was swift on social media, with several members Marlins broadcast team affirming their support for Brinson and calling for the fan’s ban.

Brinson ended the home plate appearance in question with a walk, adding to a 2-on-4 performance in a game the Rockies won 13-8. The 27-year-old outfielder is enjoying a career year, reaching .261 / .296 / 0.445, all career highs.

Did the fan say “Dinger”?

As discussion of the incident swirled on social media, another theory about what had happened emerged that seemed somewhat compelling.

Eagle-eyed fans noticed the Rockies mascot, the purple dinosaur known as the “Dinger,” making his way through the stands behind the plate at the time of the alleged insult. At the same time, a fan was waving to the mascot in a way that somewhat matched the screams picked up on the broadcast. Other Rockies Fans could also be heard by saying “Dinger” earlier too.

You really have to see it and hear it to be understood. Be the judge.

Basically, we’re either talking about an infuriating use of insults in a public setting or an incredibly sinister version of the “Yanny or Laurel” debate. The latter at least explains how the fan in question was able to leave the park without being accosted and unidentified by security and fellow spectators, but it also offers some benefit of the doubt.

The story continues

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