Carl Crawford suffered a "a mild left groin strain" hustling for a triple during a minor league rehab game. He will resume his rehab stint after at least five days. It's a bummer for Crawford and the Red Sox, but it may be a welcome respite as New England residents perpetuate stereotypes.

Crawford first said a fan called him a "racial slur" following the Manchester Fisher Cats' 11-3 victory over Portland at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. He elaborated on the allegation Friday night. Speaking in the Red Sox clubhouse before the series opener against the Yankees, Crawford said he was signing autographs pregame when the fan called him a "Monday." This is a less familiar racial epithet, one many people might not know as a derogatory term. Urban Dictionary defines "Monday" as "Another way of saying [the N-word] without getting caught."


Crawford has been heavily criticized because he had a terrible first year, has been injured and signed a huge contract. He's taken most of it in stride but drew the line at racial slurs, noting even Boston fans weren't that bad. "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."

Personally I had never heard of "Monday" as a racial slur, but it is apparently a reference to everyone hating Mondays because they are the start of the work week. I wouldn't know; Monday is my Saturday (also, I'm not a racist New Englander).


Red Sox outfielder Carl Crawford stands by allegation of racial slur [Boston Globe]

Crawford suffers setback in rehab [Providence Journal]