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Josh Donaldson, New York Yankees third baseman, He said he and Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson have a “mutual understanding” on Thursday, apologizing to the Jackie Robinson family.
donaldson, Suspended for one game by Major League Baseball The week before for calling Anderson “Jackie” during a Yankees vs. White Sox game over the weekend, he reiterated that he thought the exchange was a “misunderstanding”.
Josh Donaldson of New York fields a fielder’s pick against the Chicago White Sox on May 21, 2022 in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium.
(Sarah Steer/Getty Images)
“First and foremost, I have great respect for what Tim Anderson brings to the game of baseball,” Donaldson said in a statement on Thursday, “I said over the weekend that I apologized for offending Tim and that we had misunderstandings based on several exchanges over the years. My view of that exchange hasn’t changed and I didn’t mean to disrespect the past at all. In me, this was never an issue and now that it is, we have a mutual understanding.”
During Saturday’s game between the White Sox and the YankeesDonaldson called Anderson “Jackie”—a reference to baseball great Jackie Robinson—which eventually resulted in both benches on the field.
Tim Anderson: Josh Donaldson tried to boo me with ‘Jackie’ comment
after the game, White Sox manager Tony LaRussa said Donaldson Made a “racist” comment.
“He made a racist comment,” La Russa said. “That’s all I’m going to say.”
White Sox accuses Yankee Josh Donaldson of making racist ‘Jackie’ remarks; mlb investigation
Anderson, who told Sports Illustrated in 2019 that “I feel like the Jackie Robinson of today,” did not appreciate the context.
Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox is held back after a bench-clearing dispute at Yankee Stadium on May 21, 2022 in the Bronx.
(Sarah Steer/Getty Images)
“Basically, he was trying to call me Jackie Robinson,” Anderson said Saturday. “He was like” ‘Hey, what’s up Jackie?’ I don’t play like that. I really don’t play at all. I wasn’t really going to upset anyone today, but they commented, and you know, it was insulting and I don’t think it was needed. It was unnecessary.”
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On Thursday, Donaldson apologized to Robinson’s wife in his statement and called Robinson a “true American hero.”
“I would like to apologize to Mrs. Rachel Robinson and the Jackie Robinson family for any distress caused by this incident,” Donaldson said. “Jackie was a true American hero and I hold his name in the highest regard.”
New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson and White Sox baserunner Tim Anderson exchange words at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 13, 2022 in Chicago.
(Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Donaldson’s teammate, outfielder Aaron Judge, was critical of his teammate’s remarks on Monday.
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“It’s a tough one. Joke or not, I don’t think it’s the right thing to do there,” judge Told for journalists, “Especially looking at history, especially with the series in Chicago. A little beef between Anderson and JD [Donaldson],
Donaldson is appealing a one-game suspension of MLB.
Fox News’ David Aro contributed to this report.