Josh Donaldson says he was “joking” when he called Tim Anderson “Jackie”, but at least one member of the Chicago White Sox did not accept the former MVP’s explanation.
“Usually you have inner jokes with people you get along with, not people you don’t get along with at all,” Liam Hendrix’s close friend told the White Sox on Sunday, a day after the Donaldson-Anderson exchange sparked a clean-up incident. on the bench at Yankee Stadium. “So that statement there was full of bulls ….”
Donaldson admitted after Saturday’s game that he called Anderson “Jackie” – a nod to Jackie Robinson – in the first inning. Yankee’s third base apologized, saying he did not mean disrespect.
But Anderson, who is Black, said Saturday he was offended by Donaldson’s comment, calling it “disrespectful” and “unnecessary.” Hendrix repeated these sentiments on Sunday afternoon before the clubs began a match.
“We in this club have [Anderson’s] back and all – and it was just something completely unacceptable, “Hendrix said.” Again, [the Yankees] they try to take it out as an inner joke – no, it’s a horse … Such things don’t happen to them. … It’s like having an inner joke with a person you’re an enemy with, I guess you could say.
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“But this is not the case in this club and I do not understand how [Donaldson] I used to think so. It’s just a delusion. “
Donaldson, who is white, said Jackie’s comment refers to an interview with Sports Illustrated in 2019, in which Anderson describes himself as “today’s Jackie Robinson” in how he gets to the point where he has to changes the game Donaldson said it was a reference he had “joked” with Anderson in the past.
Major League Baseball is investigating the issue and talking to all stakeholders, a source told Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Sunday that he did not think Donaldson should have commented.
“I don’t believe there was any malicious intent in this regard,” Boone told reporters. “But you know, that’s, I think, somewhere he shouldn’t go.”
Josh Donaldson says he was “joking” when he called Tim Anderson “Jackie,” but closer to the White Sox, Liam Hendrix doesn’t believe that explanation, calling him “full bulls.” Sarah Steyer / Getty Images
White Sox manager Tony La Roussa said on Saturday that he considered Donaldson’s comment “racist” and clarified the situation a day later, telling reporters he was “curious” to see if the Yankees would handle the incident.
“I’m actually curious to see what the Yankee organization has to say,” La Rusa said. “It doesn’t matter what I’m saying here. I saw what Aaron said – he’s between a rock and an anvil there.”
Hendrix also said he hoped for a further response from the Yankees.
“Several of our boys made sure that a few guys at their club knew exactly what was going on,” Hendrix said. “So whether it’s an internal thing that needs to happen on their side, today we show up and do what we came here for – we have a chance to win two games at Yankee Stadium.”
Anderson was expelled from Chicago for Match 1 by La Rusa, who said there was “no point” in the former AL wrestling champion playing both double-header games.
Donaldson broke up with Anderson on May 13 in Chicago after putting a hard marker on the White Sox star, who responded with a jolt that cleared the benches and fur. Donaldson said on Saturday that he was “trying to dissipate” any prolonged tension when players intersected at the start of the match.
In the third inning, Donaldson rounded out second base after the final out and started fighting Anderson when the teams left the field. Donaldson was escorted off the field by Boone, while Anderson was led by third base coach Joe McEwing.
“[Donaldson] he knew damn well what he was doing, “Hendrix said.” He intended to be exactly what he was. He simply did not intend the consequences, which were quick. “
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