During a rehab assignment with the Double A Portland Sea Dogs, Red Sox left fielder Carl Crawford claims a fan uttered a racial slur towards him.

Crawford said the fan also continuously heckled Crawford regarding his $142 million deal with the Sox and whether he was deserving of it.

"Talking about that guy, he actually called me a racial slur to begin the game," said Crawford, who had a disappointing first season in Boston. "He was the only one I had a problem with. 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."

Crawford responded to the heckles by hitting a triple to right center field in the fifth inning of the Dogs' 11-3 loss to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Crawford reached third without a throw.

Crawford spoke fondly of the New Hampshire fans, who many root for the Sea Dogs.

"I can understand why people can be upset about me signing a contract and me having the kind of year I had," Crawford said. "I understand, you know? They love their team. They want you to produce when you sign a contract like that. I can't be mad at them. All I can do is get ready to play this year and try to produce."

Crawford's ailing arm seemed to be fine after fielding a double a throwing the ball to the left side of the infield. Crawford is currently rehabbing a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.