BOSTON (CBS) – Rehabbing Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford was encouraged after going 1-for-4 with a triple Thursday night for the Double-A Portland SeaDogs.
However, a heckling fan nearly ruined the evening for him.
READ MORE: Brookline schools closed Monday, Educators Union plans to strike“Talking about that guy, he actually called me a racial slur to begin the game. He was the only one I had a problem with,” Crawford said of a fan behind home plate at the Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester. “People in Boston don’t even do that. So I don’t know what that was about. It’s not that bad in Boston, like that.”
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For the most part, Crawford heard chirps about being overpaid and overrated. After signing a seven-year, $142 million deal prior to last season, and batting just .255 in 130 games, Crawford understands those taunts.
READ MORE: Celtics core group makes their statement with series win over Bucks“I can understand why people can be upset about me signing a contract and me having the kind of year I had,” Crawford said. “I understand, you know? They love their team. They want you to produce when you sign a contract like that. I can’t be mad at them. All I can do is get ready to play this year and try to produce.”
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Crawford shrugged off the racial comment and laced a triple in the fifth inning, reaching third without a throw against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
“That swing felt pretty good. I ran the bases pretty good. Yeah, that felt fine,” he said after playing six innings in left and serving as the team’s leadoff hitter.
MORE NEWS: Grant Williams steps up with career game to lead Celtics to Game 7 win over BucksIn three games for Portland, Crawford is 4-for-10 with two runs scored and an RBI.
