On Saturday, the benches cleared during a game between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees.
What caused the benches to clear, you ask?
Well, Josh Donaldson and Tim Anderson continued their saga, with Donaldson calling Anderson “Jackie,” referring to an interview from 2019 where Anderson said he felt as if he were the modern-day Jackie Robinson.
Donaldson has since been suspended a game for his actions, a suspension in which he is appealing.
Jesse Rogers of ESPN tweeted what Anderson had to say about Donaldson referring to him as “Jackie.”
Tim Anderson after being called Jackie by Donaldson in 2019: “I told him, we never have to talk again. I won’t speak to you, you won’t speak to me, if that’s how you’re going to refer to me. I knew he knew exactly what he was doing.”
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) May 24, 2022
Donaldson, Anderson At Odds
Anderson was understandably not pleased with how Donaldson conducted himself.
It’s clear that Anderson has no desire to be friends with Donaldson, and he shouldn’t.
Regardless of Donaldson’s intent, these are two players who clearly do not like each other and have had several issues in the past.
Donaldson crossed a line when he said what he said, and Anderson understandably did not take kindly to it.
Donaldson may not have meant anything by it, but it’s not something that should be joked about, and it is a serious issue.
Anderson is taking the high road by saying he would rather not speak to Donaldson if he’s going to speak to him in that manner.
And it’s clear that that is the path he wants to take with Donaldson.
These are two players that clearly do not like each other and have been at each other’s throats for a long time, but Anderson is doing the right thing for just taking it in stride and not wanting to carry the conflict any further than it’s already been carried.
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