Tim Anderson addresses Josh Donaldson incident, 'could care less about the suspension'

CHICAGO — White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson says there was no inside joke between he and New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson regarding Donaldson calling Anderson «Jackie» over the weekend, in reference to Jackie Robinson.

Anderson, speaking publicly on Tuesday for the first time since Major League Baseball punished Donaldson with a one-game suspension, said the two haven't had a relationship since the first time he called him Jackie, back in 2019.

«He did say that, and I told him we never have to talk again,» Anderson recalled. «I don't speak to you, you don't speak to me, if that's how you want to refer to me. I know, he knew exactly what he was doing because I already told him.»

Anderson claims while Donaldson played for the Minnesota Twins, the two had no contact but that changed after a hard slide into third base by shortstop in a game in Chicago between the two teams. The two players had words that night and then again this past weekend in New York, leading to Donaldson calling Anderson, «Jackie,» once again.

Donaldson 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 has «joked around» with Anderson in the past.

Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge said Donaldson made «a mistake.» And the league, in suspending Donaldson felt his comment was «disrespectful and in poor judgment.»

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

«It's out of my control, so I'm cool with whatever,» Anderson said. «I could care less about the suspension.»

White Sox general