UPDATE: Tuesday 9:00 AM EST
The Northern California man who threw a banana at Orioles player Adam Jones has since apologized.
It wasn’t until Alexander Poulides, 42, turned on the news on Monday that he learned about the controversial snub. He told the Mercury News in San Francisco that his heart sank immediately.
“Oh, my god,” Poulides said. “I threw a banana on my way out.”
According to Mercury:
Poulides, 42, said he grabbed a banana off a catering cart and hurled it toward the field in disgust near the end of the Giants’ 10-2 loss Sunday at AT&T Park. The banana landed near Jones in centerfield. Jones, who is African-American, tweeted about the incident after the game.
Above all, Poulides stressed repeatedly that the incident was not racially motivated, as some had speculated. His action was not directed at Jones, but at the Giants and their poor performance, he said.
“I’m embarrassed and shocked by the outcome,” the Northern California resident said. “In hindsight, I wish I didn’t do it and I apologize. I’m very sorry.”
The investigation, however, continues as the The Giants weren’t able to confirm that Poulides was the offender.
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It’s one thing to taunt and tease the opposing team during a sports game. But we’re in a whole other ballpark when fans start throwing around racist jabs.
That’s just what happened to Baltimore Orioles star Adam Jones on Sunday afternoon while playing against the San Francisco Giants. He tweeted after the game that a San Francisco fan tossed a banana at him while he was playing centerfield.
Oh. We must also mention that Jones is a black man.
Although the incident wasn’t caught on tape, officials are taking his word for it (he really has no reason to lie). The Giants said they will investigate video footage of the final inning to verify Jones’ claim.
But if we must find solace in this disappointing story, it has to be this…
The Baltimore Orioles pummeled the San Francisco Giants 10-2. So…who’s winning now?
SOURCE: Think Progress
