Josh Donaldson reiterates apology to White Sox's Tim Anderson, apologizes to Jackie Robinson family
The Yankees' Josh Donaldson reacts as he walks to first base after being hit with a pitch during the sixth inning of a game against the Blue Jays on May 10 at Yankee Stadium, Credit: AP/Frank Franklin II
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Sidelined Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson issued a statement on Thursday in which he repeated an apology to White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson and added one to Jackie Robinson’s family.
Donaldson, who is on the Yankees’ COVID-19 list, appears to be attempting to close the book on Saturday’s on-field incident in which he called Anderson “Jackie” in a reference to a 2019 article in which Anderson, who is Black, compared himself to Robinson.
Donaldson was suspended for one game by Major League Baseball. He is appealing the suspension. He was added to the COVID list on Monday and hasn’t played since. The Yankees opened a four-game series on Thursday against the Ray without him.
In the statement, which was posted on Twitter by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, Donaldson referenced an earlier apology he made to Anderson but continued to say the incident was “a misunderstanding” between the two.
“First and foremost,” Donaldson said in the statement, “I have the utmost respect for what Tim Anderson brings to the game of baseball. I stated over the weekend that I apologized for offending Tim and that it was a misunderstanding based on multiple exchanges between us over the years. My view of that exchange hasn’t changed and I absolutely meant no disrespect. In the past, it had never been an issue and now that it is, we have a mutual understanding.
“I would also like to apologize to Mrs. Rachel Robinson and the Jackie Robinson family for any distress this incident may have caused. Jackie was a true American hero and I hold his name in the highest regard.”
Anderson, in his most recent comments on the incident on Tuesday, said Donaldson called him “Jackie” in 2019 and Anderson didn’t like it then, either.
"He did say that, and I told him we never have to talk again," Anderson said, according to ESPN.com. "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 did not speak with reporters before Thursday’s game against Boston. Scott Miranda, a spokesman for the Jackie Robinson Foundation, said the family had no comment.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Donaldson continues to test negative for COVID, but had an IV on Wednesday night and “was still coughing a lot. Sounds like he’s doing a lot better (on Thursday).”
On Sunday, the Yankees placed Kyle Higashioka and Joey Gallo on the COVID list. Both have since returned.
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Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
