In light of Sunday's news that a Giants fan allegedly threw a banana at Orioles' center fielder Adam Jones, who is black, the franchise made a formal apology to both the player and the team.
In a statement issued Monday morning, the Giants mea culpa'd:
We were extremely disappointed to learn about the incident involving Adam Jones at AT&T Park yesterday. The Giants have a zero tolerance policy against this type of behavior, which results in immediate ejection from the ballpark. While we have been investigating the matter since we learned of the situation, unfortunately we have been unable to identify the person responsible. We would like to extend our sincerest apologies to Adam and the entire Orioles organization for this unfortunate incident. The inappropriate actions of this individual in no way reflect the values of our organization and our fans.
After Baltimore swept the series, Jones tweeted about the incident, saying, "I want to thank whatever slapdick threw that banana towards my direction in CF in the last inning. Way to show ur class u jackass."
Ne later found temporary solace in a plate of delicious tamales.
UPDATE: In a dramatic twist, someone has stepped forward claiming to be the banana-tosser. Longtime fan Alexander Poulides, 42, talked to Mercury News, saying that he threw the banana, yes; but he threw the peel in disgust at the Giants, not Jones or the color of his skin. "Oh, my god,'' Poulides tells Mercury News. "I threw a banana on my way out."
Poulides reportedly "grabbed a banana off a catering cart and hurled it toward the field in disgust at the Giants near the end of a 10-2 loss at AT&T Park on Sunday." The banana, according to Poulides, "sailed toward Jones," who in turn tweeted about it.
Longtime fan Alexander Poulides claims to have thrown banana on field and says he is embarrassed and shocked by outcry .... #SFGiants
— Daniel Brown (@mercbrownie) August 12, 2013
... Poulides says he threw banana in disgust at #SFGiants and said was not racially motivated toss at Adam Jones. He apologizes profusely.
— Daniel Brown (@mercbrownie) August 12, 2013