Curt Ford, Former St. Louis Cardinals Outfielder, Was Punched in the Face and Told, "Go Back to Ferguson"

The incident happened Wednesday afternoon when Ford’s vehicle and the vehicle of another man, James Street, both approached the gas pump from different directions. Ford backed up and drove to another pump. Street parked his car, and according to Ford:

"When Ford exited his vehicle, Street got out of his car and began shouting racial slurs. Street then entered the store, and Ford tried to avoid a confrontation, police said. Ford then walked toward the front of the store to pay for his gas. Street was exiting the store when he approached Ford, and unprovoked, punched him in the face, and drove away, according to police."

Street has been charged with one count of assault “motivated by discrimination in the third degree” which is a class D felony. Street has a criminal history that involves marijuana and assault, Post-Dispatch reported.

In an interview with the Post-Dispatch, Ford said:

"“I’m going to let the authorities handle this situation, but I’ve had enough of St. Louis,” Ford said in a phone interview Thursday. “You hear about this kind of stuff happening, and I always knew it existed because of my previous experience working here in St. Louis, but you try to keep away from it and there is just no way you can do that unless you stay inside like a hermit. “I just want justice. It’s all I want.”"

Ford spent six years in the majors, four in St. Louis, and two in Philadelphia, before retiring.