Josh Donaldson Releases Statement About Tim Anderson

Josh Donaldson told us all his take on the "Jackie" controversy involving him and Tim Anderson on the night it occurred. He called it a joke. Now the New York Yankees third baseman, who MLB suspended for one game for the comments, has now released a statement.

Josh Donaldson has released the following statement: pic.twitter.com/KjRAYj3HL7

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) May 26, 2022

Donaldson called Anderson, who is black, "Jackie" (referring to Jackie Robinson) on the field during last week's Yankees-Chicago White Sox series, leading to two bench-clearing incidents. Donaldson said it was an "inside joke" after Anderson had referred to himself as "the new Jackie Robinson" in a 2019 article, but Anderson called Donaldson's name-calling "disrespectful" and his manager Tony La Russa called it "racist." 

Here's what Donaldson has to say now about the whole affair with Anderson: 

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.

The Yankees' 3B then addressed the legendary Robinson and his family:

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.

The statement was released by MLB.

From his side of the story, Anderson isn't buying the "inside joke" excuse, explaining that he told Donaldson to stop saying it back in 2019:

"I told him, we never have to talk again," said Anderson. "I won’t speak to you, you won’t speak to me, if that’s how you’re going to refer to me."

This probably isn't the last we'll hear of all this.