Tony La Russa alleges Josh Donaldson made racist comment towards Tim Anderson

After a tense game between the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox, Tony La Russa alleged that Josh Donaldson made a racist comment towards Tim Anderson.

Whenever the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox have met, there was some simmering tension between third baseman Josh Donaldson and shortstop Tim Anderson. In the previous series, Anderson took exception of a tag made by Donaldson.

In the May 21 game, Anderson was seen talking to Donaldson as they were walking off in between innings. Later on, Donaldson got into a verbal altercation with catcher Yasmani Grandal, leading to the benches clearing. In the incident, Anderson had to be held back by his teammates.

After the game, White Sox manager Tony La Russa was asked about the tension between Anderson and Donaldson, where he then alleged that the Yankees third baseman made a racist comment towards the White Sox shortstop.

Anderson then spoke with the media following the game, where he said that Donaldson called him Jackie Robinson and said “What’s up, Jackie?” Anderson called the comments “disrespectful” and “racist.”

Donaldson spoke after the game as well, where he did confirm that he called Anderson “Jackie.” The third baseman said that it was in reference to an interview Anderson had with Sports Illustrated back in 2019, where he said he felt like “today’s Jackie Robinson.”

Donaldson said that he thought it was an inside joke between the two, and that he apologizes to Anderson and is open to meeting with him if he desires. Donaldson also said that he spoke with his Yankees teammates about the situation.

It will be interesting to see if MLB will get involved in this situation, considering what happened during the game and the comments made during postgame interviews.