WATCH: Tim Anderson alleges Josh Donaldson called him 'Jackie' on field
After a bench-clearing altercation on Saturday, White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson revealed what Josh Donaldson said to him on the field. Anderson said during a post-game interview that Donaldson called him “Jackie” to set off their altercation, a reference to MLB legend Jackie Robinson.
Tim Anderson on Josh Donaldson’s comment
“He just made a disrespectful comment,” explained Anderson after the game. “Basically he tried to call me Jackie Robinson. He said ‘what’s up Jackie?’ I don’t play like that. I don’t really play at all. I wasn’t really gonna bother nobody today but he made a comment, it was disrespectful. I don’t think it was called for. It’s unnecessary.”
Anderson was asked a follow-up question asking how he was able to compose himself after hearing something that upset him so deeply, and the Tuscaloosa-native explained he wasn’t sure how the situation didn’t escalate.
“I don’t know to be honest. It’s very disrespectful.”
Manager Tony La Russa outright claimed the comment made by Donaldson was “racist” when discussing the incident himself.
“He made a racist comment, Donaldson. That’s all I’m gonna’ say. That’s as strong as it gets,” explained La Russa when a reporter noted how harsh his criticism was.