Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones says the widely condemned racial insult hurled at him at Fenway Park illustrates the need for dialogue about race and for fans to police each other.

He says he is trying to grapple with the reality that “people aren’t afraid to show ugliness and hate right now.”

Jones spoke Saturday at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City while his team plays a series with the Royals.

He describes what happened to him in Boston on Monday night as “very unfortunate.” A bag of peanuts also was thrown in his direction. He says this should serve as a reminder that players are trying to do their job and should be respected.

Jones adds that he doesn’t mind if fans “yell at us a little bit,” provided the catcalls do not degenerate into obscenities.

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