Giants first base coach Antoan Richardson and Padres third base coach Mike Shildt addressed the media on Wednesday morning after an incident between the two on Tuesday night which led to claims by Richardson that Shildt made a comment which “reeked undertones of racism.”
Richardson was ejected at the conclusion of the second inning of Tuesday’s game after exchanging words with Shildt, who said he was looking into the Giants dugout for longtime friend Alex Wood. According to Richardson, who is Black, Shildt said regarding Richardson, “You need to control that motherfucker” in the direction of the Giants’ dugout. Richardson said he responded to Shildt, saying “excuse me?” Umpire Greg Gibson then tossed Richardson from the game.
After Tuesday’s game, Richardson addressed the media and explained why he thought Shildt’s comment was inappropriate.
“I say this because his words were disproportionately unwarranted and reeked undertones of racism when he referred to me as ‘that motherfucker,’ as if I was to be controlled or a piece of property or enslaved,” Richardson said. “I think it’s just really important we understand what happened tonight.
“And the second part that’s equally disappointing is that me being tossed by that umpire empowers this coach to continue to have conversations like that with people like me, and that’s really unfortunate that’s what happened tonight.”
The two coaches met before the final game of the series on Wednesday, first engaging in a lengthy conversation on the field, before addressing the media together.
Richardson began by saying that he doesn’t believe Shildt is a racist, but that he’s trying to bring awareness to how certain words can impact people in different ways.
“In no way did I believe that (Mike Shildt) is a racist,” Richardson said as Gabe Kapler and LaMonte Wade Jr. looked on behind the media scrum. “What I was trying to do was just bring awareness to how words impact certain communities, even though they may not have ill intent. Helping us to be more aware of what those things mean when we do share them.”
“I’m grateful for Antoan clearing that up,” Shildt said in response. “Clearly misinterpreted and I think he knows this. My value as a human is to love people and that’s exactly what I represent, so I appreciate him clearing that up for myself and my family. It’s really important that that is clear.
“I don’t know Antoan’s heritage, I don’t walk in his shoes. I can only have empathy and love, which I do have and have always had in my life. I used inappropriate language which is my biggest issue last night, I apologize for that. I’m sensitive to Antoan’s rightful understanding or experiences of what he feels is oppression that takes place in this world, and unfortunately there’s still an undercurrent of that that’s real to people. But also, by no way, shape or form was that in the context of what we discussed and was said last night.”
Richardson went on to say that Shildt has been a supporter of the Black community and that he appreciates him taking ownership for what was said.
“Shildty has been a supporter of the Black community, and we definitely appreciate that,” Richardson said. “I think this is more something we want to use as an opportunity to bring awareness to sometimes words that are harmless are very insensitive to others, and it’s really important that we are conscious of the things we are saying.
“I appreciate him taking ownership and understanding the impact of his words, and that we can move on from this and play baseball.”
