San Francisco Giants coach Antoine Richardson, whose expulsion on Tuesday led to Alice Naken’s historic coaching debut, accused San Diego Padres coach Mike Shield of shouting swear words that “smell like racism.”
Richardson, who is Black, gave a long explanation for his dismissal in the third inning after San Francisco’s 13-2 victory over San Diego. The Giants ‘first base coach said the incident began when Shield, who is the coach of Padres’ third base, approached the San Francisco dugout.
After a brief exchange of coaches, Richardson said Shield, who is white, shouted, “You have to control this motherfucker,” to the Giants dugout, which provoked Richardson’s reaction and eventually his expulsion from Judge Greg Gibson.
“[Shildt] he shouted, “You have to control this devil,” Richardson told reporters. At that moment, I went to the top step and said, “Excuse me?” Because I couldn’t believe what I heard. At that moment, Gibson, the crew chief, decided to throw me out of the game.
“I say this because his words were disproportionately unjustified and smelled of racism when he called me ‘this mother’ as if I had to be controlled or part of property or enslaved. I think it’s just really important to find out what happened tonight.
“And the second part, which is just as frustrating, is that this judge throws me in, gives this coach the opportunity to keep talking like this to people like me, and it’s really unfortunate that this happened tonight.”
Richardson said he did not swear or use vulgar language at any time during the incident, but was told he had been expelled for “incitement”.
“The judge told me I was inciting,” Richardson said. At that moment, I asked, “This man called me a mother, and I’m an instigator?”
Neither Shield nor Padres manager Bob Melvin commented on the incident after the match. Shield is in his first season with Padres after being manager of the St. Louis Cardinals for three or more seasons, starting in 2018.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler told reporters that he had not heard what Shield said, but agreed that the eviction was unjustified and supported Richardson.
“I believe Antoine’s judgment is 100 percent,” Kapler said. “I trust Antoine’s judgment on the matter and I know that Antoine was not out of control at all and that everything that was said to imply that he was is completely inappropriate. He did not incite any part of it. “
Richardson’s expulsion caused the Giants to use Naken as their first base coach until the end of the game, making her the first woman in Major League Baseball history to train on the field during a regular season game.
“I’m really excited that Alice got the chance to make her big league debut and I’m very proud of her,” Richardson said. “I think she did a great job and we won, so that’s the most important thing.”
Richardson, who is from the Bahamas, said he shared his account of the incident because he wanted to help “people who look like me.”
“It’s important to raise awareness,” Richardson said. “Unfortunately, this exists in our world, and I think it’s important that when we comment and take action, we understand what this means for communities.
“I share this story not only for myself, but I share this story with other people who look like me. I know I had the full support of my teammates and others that I would have disappointed them if I had not shared this story tonight. “
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