Josh Donaldson apologises to Jackie Robinson’s family after ‘joke’ during game
New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson has issued an apology to the family of Jackie Robinson after referring to a Black opponent, Tim Anderson, as “Jackie” during a game last week.
Donaldson was suspended one game for what he claimed was an “inside joke” with Anderson, an infielder for the Chicago White Sox. Donaldson on Saturday said his comment had been a reference to an interview Anderson had given to Sports Illustrated in 2019, in which he described himself as feeling like “today’s Jackie Robinson”. Anderson said Donaldson was taunting him, not joking, and had previously told him to stop using the reference.
“First and foremost, 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,” Donaldson
said in a statement released on Thursday.
“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.”
Robinson is a legend in baseball after breaking the major league colour barrier in 1947.
On Tuesday, Anderson dismissed Donaldson’s version of events. “In 2019, I know he did say that,” Anderson said. “I told him that we don’t ever have to talk again. And I won’t speak to you, you won’t speak to me if that’s how you’re gonna refer to me. And I know he knew exactly what he was doing.”
White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Donaldson’s comment was “racist” following Saturday’s game, a 7-5 Yankees win. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he believed Donaldson didn’t mean any harm with his words, but thought using such a term was “somewhere he should not be going.”
Some members of the Yankees crowd mocked Anderson with calls of “Jackie” during Sunday night’s game between the teams. Anderson responded by hitting a three-run homer in the eighth inning to help his team to a 5-0 victory.
Donaldson, in his first season with the Yankees, is currently on the injured list due to a positive Covid-19 test.