Donaldson, Giolito talk sticky remark
Twins hitter says ace was using substances before the crackdown
Twins slugger Josh Donaldson says he gave White Sox ace Lucas Giolito the face-to-face meeting he wanted after Giolito took exception to a sticky allegation from Donaldson during Tuesday’s game.
Donaldson appeared to yell “not sticky anymore” after hitting a first-inning homer during Chicago’s 7-6 victory on Tuesday. The 2015 AL MVP rubbed his hands together after touching home, suggesting that Giolito had benefited from the use of foreign substances prior to Major League Baseball’s crackdown last week.
The 35-year-old Donaldson has been among baseball’s most outspoken hitters against the use of illicit grip enhancers by pitchers, which can generate more spin — and therefore more movement.
Giolito called Donaldson an “(expletive) pest” Tuesday night and said the home run celebration was a “classless move.” He also said the three-time All-star should talk to Giolito directly to his face.
Donaldson said they did just that at Guaranteed Rate Field as they left the ballpark Tuesday.
“He didn’t have really much to say,” Donaldson said before Wednesday night’s rain-delayed game.
Giolito didn’t speak with media on Wednesday. But Donaldson had plenty to say.
“I said, ‘So what? I’m on the opposing team,’ ” Donaldson said of his session with Giolito. “‘What do you care about me?’ I said, ‘I’m in your face. I’m telling you what I think. What have you got to say about that?’ And he didn’t have any response.”
Donaldson said he was calling out to his dugout after the homer, trying to fire up the Twins, who have languished near the bottom of the AL Central.
Donaldson said he had been tracking “like 150 guys” on a list of pitchers whose spin rates had been increasing in recent years, giving them livelier pitches.
While he acknowledged Giolito’s talent, Donaldson said the righty was on his list.
The spin rate on Giolito’s fastball Tuesday averaged 2,239 rotations per minute, down 237 RPM from a start June 16.