Yankees’ Josh Donaldson suspended, MLB fined for ‘disrespectful’ comment towards Tim Anderson

Major League Baseball fined and suspended New York Yankees third man base Josh Donaldson For Monday’s match after statements he made on Saturday towards Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson This led to a dispute between the seatsLeague announced. Donaldson, who was placed on the COVID-19 list on Monday, will appeal the suspension.

Donaldson, by his own admission, addressed Anderson as “Jackie” during an interaction between the two in the third inning. “Jackie” is a reference to Jackie Robinson, who incorporated MLB in 1947 as a member of Brooklyn Dodgers. Anderson and his White Sox teammates disputed the comment, with Musk Yasmani Grandal He later faces Donaldson during his attack in the fifth inning. The two benchers spilled onto the field as part of the standoff, but no expulsions were made.

“There is no disagreement about what was said in the field. Regardless of Mr. Donaldson’s intent, the comment he made to Mr. Anderson was disrespectful and poor judgment, particularly when viewed in the context of their past interactions,” MLB Vice President Michael Hill said. Field statement. “In addition, Mr. Donaldson’s remark was a contributing factor to the bench eviction incident between the two teams, and calls for discipline.”

Donaldson claimed that calling Anderson “Jackie” was part of a long inside joke between the players, And it stems from a 2019 Sports Illustrated article in which Anderson was quoted as saying the following:

“I kind of feel like Jackie Robinson today,” he says. “That’s great to say. But it’s cool, man, because it changed the game, and I feel like I’ve reached a point where I need to change the game.”

It is important to put Anderson’s quote in context, which comes in the middle of the article framed about the isolation he feels as a black man playing a sport that is largely played, managed and governed by white men. lightness, ESPN’s 2017 Gender and Race Report Card found that nearly 60 percent of gamers are white. Furthermore, Dusty Baker (Astros) and Dave Roberts (Dodgers) are the only Black Directors, and there is not a single current General Manager or franchisee who is Black.

“It’s totally inappropriate, and after hearing what was said after the match, you usually have inside jokes with the people you’re with, not the people who don’t agree at all,” Liam Hendricks, who is close to the White Sox, told reporters about Donaldson’s interpretation. “So this statement was complete nonsense. But, again, my feelings for the individual in question are so well documented that we did not agree. Speaking now, I think there were four separate clubs in and, as a whole, none of them agreed.”

Donaldson also claimed that he was tired of Anderson staring at him, noting that the two were not on friendly terms by entering Saturday’s match.

Donaldson, 36, was acquired in an offshore deal from Minnesota Twins. In 37 games this season, he’s hit .238/.349/.415 (126 OPS+) with five home runs and eight additional key strokes. Likely to use the Yankees DJ Limaheu At third base during Donaldson’s absence, with Jaleber Torres As the second baseman.