Chicago White Sox star shortstop Tim Anderson accused Yankees slugger Josh Donaldson of constructing a racist comment by calling him Jackie Robinson throughout Saturday’s sport towards New York.
“He simply made a, you already know, disrespectful remark,” mentioned Anderson, who’s Black, “Principally, it was attempting to name me Jackie Robinson. Like, ‘What’s up, Jackie?”‘
“I do not assume it was referred to as for,” Anderson added after New York’s 7-5 win at Yankee Stadium.
Main League Baseball is investigating the incident and chatting with these concerned.
Anderson, an all-star who’s among the many main Black voices in baseball, informed Sports activities Illustrated in 2019: “I type of really feel like at present’s Jackie Robinson … as a result of he modified the sport, and I really feel like I am getting to a degree to the place I want to vary the sport.”
Tim Anderson says Josh Donaldson referred to him as “Jackie [Robinson]” <a href=”https://t.co/sk8R7HEJ7w”>pic.twitter.com/sk8R7HEJ7w</a>
—@NBCSWhiteSox
Donaldson mentioned that within the first inning, “I referred to as him Jackie.” The white ballplayer additionally mentioned he has “joked round” with Anderson up to now utilizing the identical reference and talked about the 2019 Sports activities Illustrated interview.
“My which means of that’s not any time period attempting to be racist by any reality of the matter,” Donaldson mentioned. “Clearly, he deemed it disrespectful,” he mentioned. “And look, if he did, I apologize. That is not what I used to be attempting to do by any method and that is what occurred.”
Earlier incident
Donaldson scrapped with Anderson on Might 13 in Chicago after making a tough tag, and Anderson responded with a shove, ensuing within the benches and bullpens clearing. Donaldson mentioned Saturday that he was “attempting to defuse” any lingering pressure when the gamers crossed paths early within the sport.
Anderson mentioned Donaldson made a “Jackie” within the first couple of innings: “I spared him that point, after which it occurred once more.”
White Sox supervisor Tony La Russa additionally referred to as Donaldson’s remark “racist,” including, “That is as sturdy because it will get.”
Within the third inning, Donaldson rounded second base after the ultimate out and commenced jawing with Anderson because the groups got here off the sphere. Donaldson was escorted off the sphere by Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone and Anderson was led off by third base coach Joe McEwing.
Benches clear
Within the fifth, White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal stood up from his crouch and confronted Donaldson as he approached the plate.
“Consider me, you do not need me to let you know guys what I informed him,” Grandal mentioned to reporters.
The barking continued as relievers ran in from the bullpens and the benches emptied, with La Russa — a member of baseball’s Corridor of Fame — additionally yelling at Donaldson.
Anderson additionally continued to shout at Donaldson whereas being restrained by White Sox slugger Jose Abreu and infielder Gavin Sheets. After a couple of minutes, umpires issued warnings to either side and Donaldson struck out.
Tensions boiled over Saturday between the White Sox and Josh Donaldson when the third baseman was accused of directing a racist remark at Tim Anderson. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhiteSoxin60?src=hash&ref_src=twsrcpercent5Etfw”>#WhiteSoxin60</a> <a href=”https://t.co/gACTkKHV4z”>pic.twitter.com/gACTkKHV4z</a>
—@NBCSWhiteSox
“This sport went by a interval in time the place numerous these feedback had been meant, and I feel we’re well beyond that,” Grandal mentioned after the sport. “And it is simply unacceptable. I simply thought it was a low blow and I wish to ensure that I’ve bought my crew’s again. There isn’t any method that you just’re allowed to say one thing like that.”
Boone mentioned of the incident: “I do know … some discuss of that. I’ve bought to resolve it.”
Final season with Minnesota, Donaldson bought right into a spat with the White Sox when he appeared to yell “not sticky anymore” — a reference to substances pitchers use to manage the ball — after hitting a homer towards Chicago ace Lucas Giolito.