Yankees slugger Josh Donaldson was wrong to make a Jackie Robinson reference to African-American White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, New York manager Aaron Boone conceded Sunday, adding that he doesn’t believe his third baseman had any ‘malicious intent.’
A day after the comment called ‘racist’ by Chicago manager Tony La Russa — an assessment that Anderson agreed with — Major League Baseball continued to investigate the incident.
One of baseball’s most popular black players and an All-Star, Anderson hit a home to propel the White Sox to a doubleheader sweep at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. As he ran the bases, Anderson was seen hushing angry Yankees fans, many of whom had been chanting ‘Jackie’ at him during Sunday’s twin bill.
Anderson declined post-game interview requests.
Donaldson, who is white, also did not speak to reporters. Through a Yankees spokesman, Donaldson said he had not talked to MLB about the situation and didn’t talk speak to Anderson on Sunday.
‘I also understand Josh has been very forthcoming with the history of it and the context of it. So I don’t believe there was any malicious intent in that regard.’
‘But this is just my opinion — [that’s] somewhere he should not be going,’ he said.
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White Sox manager Tony La Russa said he thinks Donaldson’s comment was ‘racist’