The benches cleared during the New York Yankees’ 7-5 win over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. After the game, White Sox manager Tony La Russa accused Josh Donaldson of the Yankees of directing “a racist comment” at Chicago shortstop Tim Anderson.
In the aftermath of the New York Yankees‘ home game vs. the Chicago White Sox, Josh Donaldson admitted to saying something racist towards Tim Anderson.
Donaldson admitted to calling Anderson “Jackie” on the field.
Here is Donaldson on camera admitting to the racial slur in question.
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“I called him Jackie. He came out with an interview that says he’s the new Jackie Robinson … We’ve actually joked about that,” Donaldson said. “I’ve said it to him in years past, not in any manner [other] than just joking around.”
Anderson elaborated later, saying Donaldson called him “Jackie,” which Anderson interpreted as a reference to Jackie Robinson.
“He just made a disrespectful comment. He was trying to call me Jackie Robinson, ‘What’s up Jackie?’ ” Anderson, who is Black, said. “I don’t play like that. … That happened the first time he got on, and I let it go that time, and it happened again. It’s just uncalled for.”
Later, Anderson said: “I’ll never sleep this off.”
The benches initially were emptied following a home-plate confrontation between Donaldson and White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal in the fifth inning. A brawl was avoided, but Anderson had to be restrained by a pair of teammates.
