Aaron Judge criticized Yankee teammate Josh Donaldson for calling Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson “Jackie,” the reference to Jackie Robinson, which cost Donaldson a one-game suspension and a fine.
“It’s a tough question,” Judge said of Saturday’s incident in the Bronx that led to the suspension after Monday’s 6-4 loss to Baltimore.
“Joke or not, I don’t think it’s the right thing to do,” Judge said of Donaldson, who repeatedly called Anderson, who is black, “Jackie,” which Donaldson said was an attempt to ease tensions between the two to disperse afterwards When the teams met in Chicago last weekend, they almost got into a fight.
“Given the story, especially the Chicago series and the little argument between Anderson and [Donaldson]’ said Judge. “Anderson is one of the best shortstops in the game and a huge part of MLB and how we can grow the game. [Donaldson] got a ban for a game…I don’t know. He made a mistake, admitted it and we have to move on.”
Aaron Judge, Josh Donaldson, Corey Sipkin, Getty
The judge said Donaldson spoke to the team to explain his behavior, referencing the 2019 Sports Illustrated article in which Anderson said, “I kind of feel like Jackie Robinson today.”
But while Judge seemed willing to leave the controversy in the past, it will not be forgotten.
“He’s a pro,” Judge said of Donaldson. “He spoke to all of us and explained to us what he was referring to. Still, I don’t think it was the right step.”
The judge added again, “It’s time to move on.”
“We’re grown men,” he said. “He stood by what he did. That’s all you can ask, especially when we play games every day. I can’t sit here and linger much. … You learn from it when you make a mistake.”
Aaron Boone said he disagreed with MLB’s decision to ban Donaldson, although he respected the league’s process.
“They did their due diligence and made a difficult decision,” the manager said. “I don’t agree with that. I don’t think it warranted a suspension.”