Josh Donaldson upset by Yankees’ comment of Jackie remark

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Josh Donaldson has felt the effects of calling Tim Anderson Jackie, a reference to Jackie Robinson that Chicago White Sox Manager Tony La Russa called racist, from his own New York Yankees teammates.

Donaldson was suspended for one game and ended an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball for the May 21 incident. Since then, he has appealed the punishment, was briefly on the coronavirus list and has been on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation. He is expected to be activated Sunday and will be eligible to play until the appeal process is completed.

Although Manager Aaron Boone said he did not believe Donaldson had malicious intent, he added at the time, This is just my opinion [thats] somewhere he shouldn’t be going. Aaron Judge, the Yankees star outfielder, had added, I just dont think its the right thing to do there.

Donaldson told reporters Wednesday during batting practice: That was tough to hear, for sure, just for the simple fact that I pride myself on being a good teammate. And everywhere Ive gone, every organization that Ive been a part of, minus Oakland, has offered me extensions, has wanted me to stay back.

Theyve shown that they wanted me [to be] apart of their team. Obviously, it didnt work out that way, and thats just the business end of it. And also everywhere I went, I won. I think part of winning is having good team chemistry, and Ive taken pride everywhere Ive gone [that] I’ve always tried to help people try to get better.

Acquired by the Yankees in March, Donaldson, who has played for six major league teams, is hitting .238 with five home runs and 15 RBI in 37 games. Tempers flared during New Yorks 7-5 victory May 21 at Yankee Stadium; Donaldson, who is White, admitted that in the first inning he called Anderson, who is among baseballs leading Black voices, Jackie, a reference to Robinson, who broke MLBs color barrier in 1947.

From August: Tim Anderson did not read the rules

The situation escalated in the fifth when White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal confronted Donaldson as he stepped into the batters box. Grandal pointed toward Anderson at shortstop, and the benches cleared. Anderson jogged in and was restrained by teammates. No punches were thrown.

Basically, he was trying to call me Jackie Robinson, Anderson said that day. He was like, Hey, whats up, Jackie? I dont play like that. I dont really play at all. I wasnt really going to bother nobody today, but he made the comment, and you know, it was disrespectful and I dont think it was called for. It was unnecessary.

Donaldson said he had called Anderson Jackie previously and said it was meant as a freaking reference to a 2019 Sports Illustrated article in which Anderson said he felt a little like todays Jackie Robinson. I feel like Im getting to a point to where I need to change the game.

Donaldson has apologized to the Robinson family but said he hasnt had a chance to talk to Anderson.

I think everybody wanted to have a say, but they dont know my heart, Donaldson said. I do feel bad that the Robinson family I never wanted them to feel their name should ever be regarded in a bad light. That was why I issued the apology [to them].

Liam Hendriks, a White Sox reliever and former teammate of Donaldsons, said he is not a fan of the three-time all-star, who was the 2015 American League MVP with Toronto.

I know Liam has come out a couple times and said some stuff about me, Donaldson said. Its because I hear one thing and then weird when I see him its different. So its definitely been confusing for that. Im not saying that every one of my teammates I have always been best friends with.

The Yankees and White Sox have had past flare-ups, Donaldson noted.

I should not talk to these guys anymore, just because I dont ever want to be brought up in that light or that show, he said. Its been tough.

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