NEW YORK — Major League Baseball has stood firm Josh DonaldsonThe one-game suspension of the player, which was applied after the New York Yankees Third baseman made a comment to White Sox star Tim Anderson Tony La Russa, Chicago manager called Jackie Robinson racist.
The penalty was upheld on Thursday by John McHale (the MLB special adviser), a person with knowledge of the discipline said to The Associated Press. McHale had not made McHale’s announcement, so the person spoke Monday under condition of anonymity.
McHale reduced Donaldson’s fine to $5,000. Donaldson will serve his sentence during Tuesday’s Yankees series opener against Tampa Bay.
Michael Hill, MLB’s senior vice president of on-field operations, announced that the penalty was in effect on May 23rd, two days after Donaldson made numerous references to Robinson while speaking to Anderson during a game.
Robinson broke the MLB colour barrier in 1947, and every major league team has since retired his No. 42 was named in his memory.
Donaldson, a three-time All-Star, was the 2015 AL MVP with Toronto. He said that he was referring a 2019 Sports Illustrated article where Anderson, who was Black, was quoted as saying, “I kinda feel like today’s Jackie Robinson… because he changed this game, and it feels like I’m getting at a point where I need to make the game better.”
Anderson claimed he agreed to La Russa’s view, but several Yankees believed Donaldson was wrong. Aaron Boone, Yankees manager, stated that this was only his opinion. He should not be going there. New York star Aaron Judge “It’s not the right thing to be doing there,” she said.
Donaldson, a white man, admitted that he had joked around with Anderson before using the reference. Donaldson publicly apologized to the Robinson families.
“I believe everyone wanted to have a voice. Donaldson shared his feelings on June 1 that “they don’t understand my heart.” “I feel sorry for the Robinson family. I didn’t want them to think their name should be in a negative light. This is why I apologized.”
Donaldson, 37, is hitting.235 in his first season with Yankees. He has five homers and 18 RBI.