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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Racist mail sent to Jeter

Associated Press

NOTES

Yankees star Derek Jeter received a threatening letter that reportedly warned he’d be “shot or set on fire” if he didn’t stop dating white women.

The FBI is investigating “racially threatening letters to Jeter and others across the country,” special agent Scott Wilson said Monday by phone from Cleveland. He declined to comment further.

Jeter downplayed what he called the “stupid letter,” saying he did not perceive it as a specific threat.

The Daily News reported the hate mail to the 31-year-old called him a “traitor to his race” for dating white women. It warned him “to stop or he’ll be shot or set on fire,” the paper said, quoting an unidentified law enforcement source.

Similar threatening letters have been sent to other public figures in recent months, including U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Jason Taylor, and the parents of tennis star James Blake. The threats have been traced to the Cleveland area.

Griffey has surgery

Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. had minor surgery to clean out his knee and close a year-old incision that hasn’t healed properly, procedures expected to set him back no more than four weeks.

Griffey decided Thursday to have the surgery rather than continue trying to return from a sprained right foot. The foot is expected to heal with a couple weeks of rest.