Rockies: Fan yelled ‘Dinger,’ not slur
The Colorado Rockies mascot, a dinosaur, is named ‘Dinger’
The Rockies confirmed Monday morning that a fan did not yell racial slurs at Miami Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson during the ninth inning of Sunday’s game at Coors Field.
After reviewing video, talking to the fan in question, as well as several fans seated in the area, the Rockies determined the fan was loudly yelling “Dinger,” and trying to get the attention of the Rockies’ dinosaur mascot who was in the area behind home plate.
Neither Brinson, who is Black, nor any of the other Marlins players heard what was shouted.
The incident became a hot issue on social media — particularly on Twitter — after the misconstrued words were picked up by microphones behind home plate and heard on the Marlins’ Bally Sports television broadcast.
Paul Severino, Miami’s television play-by-play announcer, said, via Twitter: “I’m absolutely disgusted at the language that was picked up by the mics late in the game today. The level of hate that was displayed has no place in this world. Unfortunately, it’s still far too prevalent. We need to be better. And soon. Awful.”
The Rockies said in a statement Sunday night that they were investigating the incident.
“The Colorado Rockies are disgusted at the racial slur by a fan directed at the Marlins’ Lewis Brinson during the ninth inning of today’s game. Although the subject was not identified prior to the end of the game, the Rockies are still investigating this incident,” the statement read. “The Rockies have zero tolerance for any form of racism or discrimination, and any fan using derogatory language of any kind will be ejected and banned from Coors Field.”
Marlins spokesman Jason Latimer told The Associated Press that the team was aware of the incident.
“Neither Lewis, nor any other Marlins on the field or in the dugout, heard what was shouted,” he said in a text message. “We brought the matter to the attention of the Rockies. How the matter is being handled, I would have to defer to them.”