Report: MLB upholds Donaldson's 1-game ban for remark to Anderson
Major League Baseball has upheld New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson's one-game suspension for calling Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson "Jackie" in May, a source told Ronald Blum of The Associated Press.
Donaldson will serve the ban Tuesday when the Yankees face the Tampa Bay Rays.
While the suspension was upheld, MLB did reduce Donaldson's fine to $5,000, Blum reports.
Donaldson referred to Anderson as "Jackie" during the Yankees-White Sox game on May 21 in New York. Manager Tony La Russa deemed the remark racist, while Anderson called it "disrespectful." Some of Donaldson's teammates, including star outfielder Aaron Judge, also criticized him for making the comment.
Donaldson explained that the remark was in reference to Anderson's 2019 quote about feeling like a modern-day Jackie Robinson with regard to showing emotion on the diamond. Donaldson also admitted to calling him "Jackie" in 2019 and said it had been a joke between them, which Anderson vehemently denied.
Several days after he was originally suspended, Donaldson offered an apology to Jackie Robinson's family.
Barring a playoff matchup, the Yankees and White Sox won't play each other again until next season.
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