Rep. Mike Capuano weighed in on a heated public debate regarding the possible name change of Yawkey Way outside Fenway Park, amid an ongoing effort to change a name that many say honors a racist legacy.
“I think it would probably be best for the community if they change the name,” Capuano said during an interview with Boston Public Radio Thursday. “Tom Yawkey had some good things about him, his legacy through his estate has been great for Boston, the Yawkey foundation does some great work — however, his own personal history here at the time raises some concerns.”
According to a 1959 NAACP investigation into Red Sox policies, Tom Yawkey enforced racist policies against players and ballpark staff during his time as president.
A new petition put forward by the Red Sox suggests changing the name to Jersey Street, the ballpark’s name before it was renamed after Yawkey's death in 1976.
“I think the easiest thing to do — let’s just put a controversy away, let’s go back to the older name, and move on,” Capuano said. “We can celebrate Mr. Yawkey’s future through his foundation if that’s what we want to do, but I don’t think we should ignore the past.”
The city’s Public Improvement Commission heard petitions Thursday from the public, and will meet again on March 29 to make a decision.