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Yawkey Way name change vote delayed again after request by Red Sox

BOSTON — A request by the Red Sox to delay the vote on changing the name of Yawkey Way outside Fenway Park has been granted.

Boston 25 News obtained a letter Thursday morning from the Red Sox asking to delay the Yawkey Way name change vote for another two weeks.

The Boston Public Improvement Commission was initially going to vote on changing the name of the street outside Fenway Park last month, but delayed it until Thursday.

MORE: Boston officials postpone vote on Yawkey Way name change

In the letter dated Wednesday, the Red Sox reaffirmed its commitment to having the name changed to Jersey Street, as stated in the original petition.

“We appreciate the time and energy that the Public Improvements Commission has spent on our request to restore Yawkey Way to its original name, Jersey Street,” the letter said.

A spokesperson for Boston Public Works spoke with Boston 25 News and confirmed the Public Improvements Commission granted the request and delayed the vote until April 26.

Former Red Sox owner, the late Tom Yawkey, has been called racist by some, in part over the long-delayed racial integration of the ball club.

MORE: Yawkey Way name change proposed; Sox owner 'haunted' by legacy

Others believe the name change would harm the reputation of the philanthropic Yawkey Foundation.

On Wednesday night, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People tweeted their support for the name change.

MORE: Red Sox file petition to formally rename Yawkey Way

“The NAACP Boston Branch voted to support the Red Sox petition and put this symbol of racism to rest,” the tweet said. “(Boston) needs to live up to its values.”