Why a road name is stirring up the Red Sox's troubled color-line history

Last week, the Boston Red Sox confirmed they would change the name of Yawkey Way, the street just outside Fenway Park where fans gather before the game. The Sox were direct about the reason for the decision: “[Changing Yawkey Way’s name to] Jersey Street ... is intended to reinforce that Fenway Park is inclusive and welcoming to all.” But why would a street’s name fall short of those stated goals? It all goes back to its namesake in a city where racism has too often spilled over into sports.

Tom Yawkey was the owner of the Boston Red Sox from 1933 until his death in 1976. It was under his watch that the Red Sox became the last MLB team of the pre-expansion era to field a black player: infielder Pumpsie Green made his debut in 1959, a good 12 years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. In fact, Robinson’s historic debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers may never have happened if Yawkey had had any say in the matter. He was one of several owners who made up the Major League Steering Committee which, in 1946, recommended that the league remain segregated.


Source : theguardian