Yankees 3B Josh Donaldson releases statement on situation with White Sox SS Tim Anderson
Last week, benches cleared during a game between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees after Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson made an allegedly "racist comment" towards White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson. It was soon discovered that Donaldson called Anderson "Jackie," referring to former Brooklyn Dodgers legend Jackie Robinson (who broke baseball's color barrier in 1947).
Donaldson has claimed that he had no ill-intent with the comment and in fact, it was a comment he had used to talk with the White Sox All-Star in the past after Anderson referred to himself as "today's Jackie Robinson" during an interview in 2019. Despite the explanation, Donaldson was suspended for one game for the comment.
On Thursday, the former MVP released a statement on the situation.
In his seventh MLB season — all spent with Chicago — Anderson has produced a .355/.395/.513 slash line with five home runs, 19 RBIs and seven stolen bases over 152 at-bats in 37 games. The White Sox are currently in second place in the AL Central with a 22-21 record.
In his 12th season and first with New York, Donaldson has slashed .238/.349/.415 with five home runs and 15 RBIs. The Yankees enter action on Thursday with the best record in baseball at 31-13.
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