Sports shorts Capitals player on racial taunts: ‘It’s disgusting’

This wasn’t the first time Devante SmithPelly has had racial taunts directed at him during a hockey game.

And the Washington Capitals forward knew immediately what the intent of the message was when a few fans began chanting “basketball, basketball, basketball,” while Smith-Pelly sat in the penalty box during a 7-1 loss at Chicago on Saturday night. SmithPelly, a black player in a sport dominated by white athletes, heard a similar taunt years before while playing in a tournament in British Columbia.

“It’s pretty obvious what that means. It’s not really a secret,” SmithPelly said after the Capitals practiced in Buffalo on Sunday. “Whether it’s that word or any other word, I got the idea. And I’m sure they got the idea, too. Just one word, and that’s really all it takes.”

What stunned the 25-year-old is how incidents such as these keep happening.

“It’s disgusting,” Smith-Pelly said. “You’d think there would be some sort of change or progression, but we’re still working toward it, I guess, and we’re going to keep working toward it.”

The Blackhawks and United Center officials reacted swiftly by ejecting four fans shortly after an off-ice official sitting next to Smith-Pelly — serving a fighting major for a scrap with Chicago’s Connor Murphy — notified building security.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman released a statement Sunday, saying the league condemns the fans’ behavior as being “unacceptable and reprehensible.”

“While this was isolated in nature, no player, coach, official or fan should ever have to endure such abuse at one of our games,” Bettman said.

The Capitals released a statement saying they are “extremely disappointed by the intolerant behavior” by a select group of fans in Chicago.

In thanking the Blackhawks and arena security, the Capitals said: “It is crucial to confront such appalling conduct.”

The Blackhawks issued a statement apologizing to Smith-Pelly and the Capitals following the game, and said they “are committed to providing an inclusive environment.”

Host Chicago scored two goals in the third period to break a 3-3 tie as the Monsters lost, 5-3. Ryan Murray, Sony Milano and Nathan Gerbe scored goals for Cleveland.

Bubba Watson ended two years without winning with his third victory at Riviera.

Watson seized control Sunday with two par putts as everyone around him was dropping shots, then pulling ahead by holing a bunker shot on the par-3 14th hole. He closed with a 2-under 69 for a two-shot victory in the Genesis Open over Kevin Na and Tony Finau, and more tears on the 18th green. It was his first victory since he won at Riviera two years ago, rising to No. 4 in the world.

Free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer has reached preliminary agreement on an eightyear contract with the San Diego Padres, pending a physical.

Hosmer, who spent his first seven seasons with Kansas City, would receive a reported $144 million. The 28-year-old Hosmer batted a careerhigh .318 in 2017 and had 25 home runs.