CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson stated Tuesday that Josh Donaldson was clearly making an attempt to rattle him when the New York Yankees third baseman referred to him as “Jackie,” a comment that led to Donaldson being suspended one sport by Main League Baseball.
Anderson and White Sox supervisor Tony La Russa stated beforehand that Donaldson was being racist when he referred to Anderson, who’s Black, by the identify of the person who broke baseball’s shade barrier.
Donaldson has appealed the suspension and has denied that he had any racist intent. He stated the remark was a reference to a 2019 Sports activities Illustrated interview during which Anderson stated he seen himself as a modern-day Robinson.
“He was making an attempt to impress me,” Anderson stated Tuesday earlier than the White Sox confronted Boston. “However he knew what he was doing.”
The benches and bullpens emptied after Donaldson’s comment.
Anderson stated he didn’t have a powerful opinion on MLB’s choice to droop Donaldson and wonderful him an undisclosed quantity. Anderson did affirm he had a short dialog in 2019 during which Donaldson referred to as him “Jackie.”
“He did say that,” Anderson stated. “I informed him, ‘We don’t have to speak once more. I gained’t converse to you, you don’t converse to me if that’s the way you’re going to seek advice from me.’
“I do know he knew precisely what he was doing. I already informed him. He went to Minnesota 2-3 years in the past, and he don’t say nothing to me as a result of he is aware of I already addressed it. And we get into it (on Could 13). He slammed again, so I pushed him off me. So what? He felt the necessity to say it once more.”
Anderson shoved Donaldson on Could 13 following a tough tag in Chicago, which additionally led to the benches emptying.
Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone and group chief Aaron Decide have each stated Donaldson was within the mistaken to taunt Anderson in that manner.
Donaldson examined optimistic for COVID-19 on Monday shortly earlier than being suspended and has been away from the Yankees. Boone stated he anticipated that Donaldson was doing loads of reflecting, and in addition that the feedback wouldn’t create stress in New York’s clubhouse, the place a number of of Donaldson’s teammates are Black.
“I feel individuals at all times change and evolve and hopefully get higher,” Boone stated. “Some persons are extra provocative than others. Some persons are quiet, some persons are outgoing, everybody’s somewhat bit completely different, however to say individuals can’t evolve and alter and develop, no, I don’t suppose that’s, I by no means shut the ebook on any of that with anybody.”
Anderson acknowledged he acquired additional satisfaction from hitting a house run in Sunday evening’s win at Yankee Stadium, the place he was booed and claimed he heard calls of “Jackie” from followers.
“That was cool,” Anderson stated. “It helped encourage me somewhat extra. We’ve seen what occurred. However that’s cool. I’ll take no matter he informed me. That’s cool.
“Obtained to wish one thing to maintain me motivated.”
White Sox basic supervisor Rick Hahn stated Anderson’s homer was the very best response “you might probably have.”
As for Donaldson’s declare the “Jackie” reference was an inside joke, Anderson replied: “I do know the reality. I do know what it’s.”
AP Baseball Author Jake Seiner in New York contributed to this report.
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