Boone: Donaldson wrong to make 'Jackie' remark to Anderson

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees slugger Josh Donaldson was wrong to make a remark referencing Jackie Robinson when speaking to White Sox star Tim Anderson, New York manager Aaron Boone said Sunday.

A day after the comment called “racist” by Chicago manager Tony La Russa — an assessment that Anderson agreed with — Major League Baseball continued to investigate the incident.

Anderson, one of baseball's leading Black voices and an All-Star shortstop, hit a home run as the White Sox completed a doubleheader sweep at Yankee Stadium. He declined interview requests.

Donaldson, who is white, also did not speak to reporters. Through a Yankees spokesman, Donaldson said he had not talked to MLB about the situation and didn't talk speak to Anderson on Sunday.

Anderson did not start in the first game while Donaldson was in the lineup as the White Sox 3-1 without incident. Anderson started the second game and was booed by fans, with some chanting “Jackie” at him.

Anderson hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning of a 5-0 win and put his finger to his lips in a hushing gesture as he rounded the bases. Donaldson didn't play in the game.

Boone said he talked to Donaldson after Saturday's game and believed his player's explanation for why he made the “Jackie” remark — but the manager also said he thought Donaldson shouldn’t have used the term.

“I think with what’s going on between the two players and between the two teams over the last week or two, I certainly understand how that would be sensitive and understand the reaction,” Boone said. “I also understand Josh has been very forthcoming with the history of it and the context of it. So I don’t believe there was any malicious intent in that regard."

“But this is just my opinion — (that’s)