Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks rips 'delusional' Josh Donaldson for 'Jackie' comment to Tim Anderson

Josh Donaldson says he was «joking around» when he referred to Tim Anderson as «Jackie,» but at least one member of the Chicago White Sox isn't buying the former MVP's explanation.

«Usually you have inside jokes with people you get along with, not people who don't get along at all,» White Sox closer Liam Hendriks said Sunday, one day after the exchange between Donaldson and Anderson incited a benches-clearing incident at Yankee Stadium. «So that statement right there was complete bulls---.»

Donaldson admitted after Saturday's game to calling Anderson «Jackie» — a nod to Jackie Robinson — in the first inning. The Yankees third baseman apologized, saying he meant no disrespect.

But Anderson, who is Black, said Saturday that was offended by Donaldson's comment, calling it «disrespectful» and «unnecessary.» Hendriks echoed those sentiments Sunday afternoon before the clubs started a doubleheader.

«Us in this clubhouse, we have (Anderson's) back and everything — and that was just a completely unacceptable thing,» Hendriks said. «Again, (the Yankees) are trying to whip it out as being an inside joke — no, that's horse s---. They don't have those sorts of things going on.… That's like having an inside joke with a guy who you are a nemesis with, I guess you could say.

»But that's not how it went down in this clubhouse, and I don't understand how (Donaldson) ever thought of it like that. It's just straight delusional."

Donaldson, who is white, said the «Jackie» comment was in reference to a 2019 interview with Sports Illustrated in which Anderson described himself as feeling like «today's Jackie Robinson» in how he's «getting to a point where I need to change the game.» Donaldson said it was a reference about which he's «joked