Anderson says he ‘doesn’t want to be friends’ with Donaldson

CHICAGO – Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson says there was no inside joke between him and New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson around Donaldson giving Anderson “Jackie” over the weekend, referring to Jackie Robinson.

Anderson, speaking publicly Tuesday for the first time since Major League Baseball handed Donaldson a one-game suspension, said the two haven’t had a relationship since she first called him Jackie in 2019.

“He said that, and I told him we’d never have to talk again,” Anderson recalled. “I don’t talk to you, you don’t talk to me, if that’s what you want to refer to me as. I know, he knew exactly what he was doing because he had already told him.”

Anderson claims that while Donaldson was playing for the Minnesota Twins, they had no contact, but that changed after a hard slide to third base by the shortstop in a game in Chicago between the two teams. The two players exchanged words that night and then again last weekend in New York, prompting Donaldson to call Anderson “Jackie” once again.

Donaldson said the “Jackie” comment was referring to a 2019 interview with Sports Illustrated in which Anderson described himself as “today’s Jackie Robinson” as to how he “gets to a point where I need to change the game”. Donaldson said it was a reference he has “joked” Anderson about in the past.

Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge he said Donaldson made “a mistake.” And the league, in suspending Donaldson, called his comment “disrespectful and poor judgment.”

Anderson was asked if he felt the one-game suspension and fine were appropriate.

“It’s out of my control, so I’m fine with whatever it is,” Anderson said. “I could care less about the suspension.”

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn was similarly vague about his take on the punishment, but he was more than happy with his team’s response to the incident, both on and off the field. A day after Donaldson’s comment, the White Sox swept the Yankees in a doubleheader.

“Tremendously proud of the way teammates rallied around TA this weekend,” Hahn said. “The support that was shown both on the field and in the clubhouse was remarkable.”

Anderson’s three-run homer in Game 2 was a standout moment for the star shortstop. Some Yankees fans had been singing “Jackie” during some of his at-bats that day.

“It was pretty good for me to shut them up,” he said.

Anderson said he hasn’t heard from the Yankees or Donaldson, and that’s fine with him.

“I’m not looking for any friendship or relationship from that part,” he said. “I’m going to keep playing hard and being a great teammate.”

Anderson said he has heard from all corners of the baseball world and appreciates the “love and support” he has received. He was asked if he thought Donaldson at least got a message from the league after being grounded.

“I hope so,” Anderson said.