Major League Baseball eliminated Josh Donaldson for one game on Monday after New York Yankees made numerous references to Jackie Robinson while talking to White Sox star Tim Anderson over the weekend.
Donaldson was also fined undisclosed for his actions on Saturday at Yankee Stadium. The sentence was announced by Michael Hill, senior vice president of field operations for MLB.
Donaldson chose to appeal the sentence. Shortly before the halt was announced, the Yankees said Donaldson was on COVID-19’s list of wounded.
“MLB has completed the process of talking to those involved in this incident. There is no dispute about what was said on the ground. “Despite Mr Donaldson’s intention, the comment he made to Mr Anderson was disrespectful and bad judgment, especially when viewed in the context of their previous interactions,” Hill said in a statement.
“Furthermore, Mr Donaldson’s remark was a contributing factor to the incident between clearing the bench between the teams and requires discipline,” he said.
White Sox coach Ethan Katz didn’t think the penalty was enough.
“Just one game. We all saw his malice on the third a week ago, then this comment with the ridiculous apology that followed. What is the meaning or message behind stopping 1 game? “It’s incredibly disappointing and downright disappointing,” Katz wrote on Twitter.
The White Sox had a day off on Monday. They are not scheduled to play with the Yankees again this season.
AL East New York is set to open a three-game streak against Baltimore on Monday night and then head to Tampa Bay for a set of four games starting on Thursday.
Donaldson said he called Anderson twice with “Jackie” – as in Robinson, who famously broke the MLB color barrier in 1947 – during the Yankees’ 7-5 victory on Saturday. The benches and furs emptied as the tension escalated.
Anderson, one of the leading black voices in baseball and all-star shortstop, said it was a “disrespectful comment.” White Sox manager Tony La Roussa said it was racist, and Anderson agreed.
“He was basically trying to call me Jackie Robinson. For example, “What’s up, Jackie?” Anderson said after Saturday’s game.
Explanation for comment
Donaldson, who is white, said he used the reference to “Jackie” in the past with Anderson, who said he considered himself a potential contemporary of Robinson in an interview with Sports Illustrated in 2019.
“My point is not a term that tries to be racist on any fact in the matter,” Donaldson said Saturday.
Anderson and Donaldson, the best AL player of 2015, did not speak to the media on Sunday when the White Sox hit the Yankee Stadium double-headed. A Yankees spokesman Donaldson said he had not spoken to Anderson since the incident.
Anderson started the second game and was booed by fans, some chanting “Jackie” to him. He hit Homer with three runs in the eighth inning in a 5-0 victory and then put his finger to his lips in a muffled gesture as he circled the grounds.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he spoke with Donaldson after Saturday’s game and believed his player’s explanation for Jackie’s remark – but also said he thought Donaldson should not have used the term.
“I think with what has happened between the two players and between the two teams in the last week or two, I understand how sensitive that would be and I understand the reaction,” Boone said. “I also understand that Josh has been very candid with the history and context of this. So I don’t believe there was any malicious intent in that regard.”
“But that’s just my opinion.” [that’s] he doesn’t have to go anywhere, “he said.
Donaldson had clashes with the White Sox several times before this weekend.
The benches also emptied on May 13 after Anderson pushed Donaldson after a heavy blow in Chicago.
White Sox ace Lucas Jolito used swear words, calling Donaldson a “pest” last year after Donaldson showed up shouting “No more sticky!” after Homer in the first inning for Minnesota – a reference to MLB, smashing pitchers using sticky substances on baseballs.
The 36-year-old Donaldson lost 0.238 with five home runs and 15 RBI in 37 games in his first season with the Yankees.
Boone said Donaldson told the team he was experiencing symptoms, prompting the team to put him on the COVID-19 casualties list. It has not been tested, Boone said.
Donaldson became the third Yankee player to compete in COVID-19 IL in the last two days. Before Sunday’s double header, Joey Gallo and Kyle Higashioka were on the roster.
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