An otherwise uneventful Saturday afternoon game between the Yankees and White Sox became quite heated after an argument at home plate sparked an allegation of a racial slur.
The trouble started when Yankees designated hitter Josh Donaldson and White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal got into an argument at home plate. Benches cleared as players from both teams ran onto the field, either joining the argument or attempting to break it up. Amid the fracas, White Sox second baseman Tim Anderson had to be escorted off the field by coaches and players.
When asked about the incident after the game, Anderson said that Donaldson had made a disrespectful comment toward him.
What was the disrespectful comment Donaldson allegedly made? It appears, that Donaldson called Anderson “Jackie,” in reference to the MLB color-barrier-breaking legend Jackie Robinson.
Yasmani Grandal had something to say to Josh Donaldson. Benches cleared and both teams were warned pic.twitter.com/px2gA5Q5hv
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) May 21, 2022
Why did Donaldson call Anderson, “Jackie?” According to Donaldson, he called him that because Anderson calls himself that.
“I called him Jackie. He came out with an interview that says he’s the new Jackie Robinson… We’ve actually joked about that. I’ve said it to him in years past, not in any manor than just joking around.”-Josh Donaldson on his altercation with Tim Anderson pic.twitter.com/BJE1NqfP19
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 21, 2022
Anderson did indeed refer to himself as the “new Jackie Robinson” in a 2019 issue of Sports Illustrated. However, despite Donaldson’s apology for calling Anderson “Jackie,” Anderson maintains the comment was uncalled for and said he took personal offense to it.
Tim Anderson says Josh Donaldson made a "disrespectful comment" referring to him as "Jackie [Robinson]" and agreed with manager Tony La Russa that it was racist.
(via @NBCSWhiteSox)
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 21, 2022
White Sox manager Tony LaRussa went even further, calling Donaldso’s comment “racist.”
Tony La Russa alleges Josh Donaldson made a racist comment towards Tim Anderson. Declined to comment further. pic.twitter.com/PAWlac6Y0D
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) May 21, 2022
After being apprised of his manager’s characterization of the comments as racist, Anderson said he agreed.
“Same. Same. Along that same line,” Anderson said.
MLB is investigating the incident, ESPN reports,
The Yankees won the game, 7-5.
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