ESPN Boston
Before many of the 18 pitches he saw in his third rehab start for Double-A Portland on Thursday night, Boston Red Sox left fielder Carl Crawford was forced to tune out a heckler behind home plate.
The fan -- who Crawford claimed uttered "a racial slur" -- routinely made his feelings known with regard to the left fielder's $142 million contract and whether he was earning it.
The heckler's message: overrated, overpaid.
Crawford responded Thursday night in the fifth inning of Portland's 11-3 loss to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats by lacing a triple to right-center field at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. He reached third base without drawing a throw.
After completing his night in the seventh inning, Crawford was asked about the fan and lingering animosity that may exist after his disappointing 2011 season, his first in Boston.
"Talking about that guy, he actually called me a racial slur to begin the game," said Crawford, who hit .255 with a .289 on-base percentage last season. "He was the only one I had a problem with. 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."
There always has to be 1 or 2 idiots. Should he have turned down the $142 million? Ridiculous that people can be so dumb.
ESPN Boston