SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants first base coach Antoan Richardson and San Diego Padres third base coach Mike Shildt embraced on the field before their game Wednesday, a day after Richardson was ejected after an incident he said Shildt made comments about made had “undertones of racism.”
Richardson said Shildt used an expletive and told Giants manager Gabe Kapler to control Richardson Tuesday night. At the time, Richardson said he interpreted Shildt’s comment “as if I should be controlled or owned or enslaved”.
On Wednesday, the two men chatted on the field and shook hands before addressing the media about the exchange. They hugged after speaking to reporters.
“I don’t think he’s a racist,” said Richardson, who is black. “I think on the important point, he realizes that some of his words, our words, are powerful and impactful. And we just want to raise awareness about a situation that I think is important to our community.”
Shildt, who is white, acknowledged he used inappropriate language and said he appreciated Richardson, who said he was not a racist.
“I’m grateful that Antoan clarified that,” said Shildt. “Clearly misinterpreted and I think he knows that, my value as a human being is to love people. That’s exactly what I stand for. So I appreciate that he cleared that up for me and my family.
“I don’t know Antoan’s origins. I can’t walk in his shoes. I can only have empathy and love, which I have and have always had in my life,” he said.
Richardson told reporters Tuesday night that his sacking stemmed from an incident that began when Shildt approached the San Francisco shelter.
Richardson said he asked Schildt what he needed. The Giants coach said that Shildt used an expletive and Kapler told him to “control” Richardson. “At that point I went up to the top step and said ‘sorry’ because I couldn’t believe what I was hearing,” Richardson said after Tuesday’s game.
Shildt said Wednesday that Padres players and coaches were upset when the Giants’ Steven Duggar stole second base in the second inning to lead San Francisco 10-1. As Shildt left to practice third base in the front of third, he and Richardson exchanged words.
“There are some emotions running high. We looked at each other and then I looked in the dugout to find some guys that really don’t need to be named but guys that I’ve been in a relationship with since they were younger or I managed before,” Shieldt said.
“I was looking for support to defuse the situation. I couldn’t find her and then we exchanged words. I won’t go into who started this. We’re past that point. … And I could have handled it differently with my choice of words,” he said.
Shildt said he believes something positive will come out of the controversy.
“The reality is that we have handled this difficult solution publicly as men, with the solution in our hearts without animosity. And I think it’s a great example of how people can communicate with each other regardless of background, color or situation,” he said.
After Richardson was ejected, Giants assistant coach Alyssa Nakken took his place at first base. Nakken made history as the first woman to coach on the field in a Major League Baseball regular season game.
The Giants won 13-2.