It's hard to figure out what Josh Donaldson planned to achieve yesterday by calling Tim Anderson "Jackie" and triggering a near bench-clearing fight. At worst, it was a racist slur. At best, it was an exceptionally stupid taunt, especially from a 36-year-old veteran.
It comes as the Yankees were winning again - they've taken 22 out of their last 26, opening their biggest lead this season (5.5 games) in the AL East. It should be celebratory time, but here are today's headlines...
He needs to explain his actions to the public and, if necessary, apologize to Anderson, the White Sox and his own team.
The Yankees have been on their greatest run in years. But they are almost done with the Orioles, and heading into the toughest part of their schedule.
This is a bad deal.
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22 comments:
There is a difference between being “edgy” and going over the edge. Time for Donaldson to back off, apologize and concentrate on bring his hitting up to what we need to stay afloat in this pennant race.
He did apologize after the game and was willing to discuss with Anderson. Not sure what more he can do...outside of not doing this again and focus on winning ball games...
According to Donaldson, it was a running joke based on a 2019 interview in which Anderson called himeself the new Jackie Robinson.
Yeah, I dunno. If that's true, then what's Anderson doing? If it's not true, then what's Donaldson doing?
Something weird is going on, on one side or the other. But it's really easy to avoid this kind of shit by just keeping your goddamn mouth shut.
I feel bad for Jackie Bradley Jr.
Now he's going to have to be called Bradley.
One serious note:
The horrible, and I do mean horrible irony of this is, given the way discourse works in this country, "Jackie" is about to become a euphemism for another word.
That Jackie Robinson's name is going to end up like this is a disgrace and saddens me deeply.
So: Anderson compares himself to Jackie Robinson, not just a baseball icon, but a societal one as well. (If in fact he never said that, I will happily back off this point) then takes umbrage for getting flak over it. If, say, Shohei Otani called himself a modern day Babe Ruth and somebody called him Babe, would that be an issue? As I mentioned previously, Donaldson should be circumspect enough to avoid making these type of comments. It may be as others mentioned that Donaldson is a loud mouthed jerk, but I’m fairly sure the Yankees knew what they were getting when they traded for him. Overall, I think this issue is getting more attention than it deserves. There are are far more important issues facing the sport ( and our society) that are being pushed aside in pursuit of the almighty dollar.
borntorun
Good point about Otani. You're right.
Also,
"I think this issue is getting more attention than it deserves."
Sadly we live in an outrage based world (because the media makes their money on outrage). So cooler and more reasonable heads will not prevail.
This is going to stick, with the result being what I wrote above. Sucks.
sarcasm, not racism. people are just little offended victims anymore. I'm Italian. My black boss has a running joke "how;d your daygo?". Its a freakin joke, I smile and flip him off. This country has turned into a bunch of easily offended feely little girls. Just shut up and play ball. take the joke. you hear a hell of a lot worse in the lockerroom while snapping towels at each others naked butts.
Donaldson is certainly an agitator. Another Genius Cashman miss?
I'm sorry Tim Anderson's a fucking crybaby and annoying as fuck (yes I'm black). How you play with a chip on your shoulder over-celebrate everything like your stats are Barry Bonds-esque and than cry... cant stand players like that. I'm sure players like Alomar, and Robinson etc you know who faced racism are proud...
Also a bit Ironic that La Russa is calling out someone for being racist when all of Baseball thinks he is racist...with stories to back it up over the decades....
Gallo immediately stepped in and tried to mitigate the Donaldson situation. Here's what "he said"
"People call me Whine all the time. Get it - GALLO/WHINE.... It never, ever gets to me, never takes me out of my game. No Sir. Not a whit. Baseball is a grind and us players are a playful lot. We rib each other all the time. And because of MLBs mandatory sensitivity training, none of us would ever deliberately say anything to hurt another player's feelings. Racially or otherwise. Nope....not EVER. We're professionals, Man. It's just a misunderstanding between Josh and Tim. They'll clear the air today. You'll see. Everything's gunna be OK."
Today's roster moves...
05/22/22 New York Yankees placed LF Joey Gallo on the 10-day injured list.
05/22/22 New York Yankees activated C Rob Brantly.
05/22/22 New York Yankees placed C Ben Rortvedt on the 60-day injured list.
05/22/22 New York Yankees placed C Kyle Higashioka on the 10-day injured list.
05/22/22 New York Yankees recalled RHP David McKay from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
05/22/22 New York Yankees selected the contract of C Rob Brantly from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
05/22/22 New York Yankees recalled CF Estevan Florial from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Higgy and Joey Whiffs have the covids...
Joe of AZ, absolutely no need to apologize over Tim Anderson. Hell, if I had to apologize for every white asshole out there, I would never do anything else.
And frankly, I don't even mind so much Anderson losing his shit on a hot, frustrating afternoon at the Stadium.
What really sticks in my craw is La Russa acting as if he cannot even repeat the (honored) name, "Jackie Robinson," so as to imply that Donaldson said something much, much worse. He's smart enough to know better.
I would be interested to hear the stories of Tony L.'s own racism that you mention.
Higgy and Joey going down are addition by subtraction. Now if we could only expose them to some monkeypox...
And yes, Donaldson is an idiot to push things. One of the oldest rules in baseball is that you let sleeping dogs—like the White Sox—lie. No need to get them all stirred up.
One thing about games on Prime, the volume is impossible. Kay tends to be very loud, but also goes up and down during a sentence. Cone and Paul are quieter.
It's like they have a compressor on the audio. Takes a couple seconds to kick in, then fluctuates badly as anyone speaks. Really lame.
New post by Alphonso. Green going for TJ surgery, Hil too. And the Covid boys.
Dear Lord, what the hell is going on with Aaron Hicks? Can he do ANYTHING right on a baseball field anymore?
I remember the good old days when we were upset about how much time he had to miss because of injuries. Now we're upset about how much time he's NOT missing.
Judge!
Good respons, Joe.
Racist? I can't say I expected that kind of response from this blog.
I guess now I need to preface my comments with that I'm an immigrant, a "brown" person in today's vernacular (an authentic, real life Person of Color).
The guy compared himself to Jackie Robinson. Donaldson called him "Jackie." That's it. That this has become some kind of controversy, with accusations and even a suggestion of a suspension is beyond parody. Stuff like this really makes everything worse for everyone.
Wait, we have another "Bern Baby Bern" posting here?
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