Inside The Pinstripes

Yankees' Aaron Boone Doesn't Agree With Josh Donaldson's Suspension

Donaldson received a one-game ban for his comments to Tim Anderson over the weekend.

Max Goodman

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NEW YORK — Yankees manager Aaron Boone doesn't think Josh Donaldson should've been suspended by Major League Baseball for his comments to White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson.

Moments after New York's 6-4 loss to the Orioles on Monday night, Boone was asked for his thoughts on Donaldson's one-game suspension handed down by the league earlier in the afternoon.

"I certainly respect MLB," Boone said. "I think they were thoughtful and looked into it and did their due diligence on it and made what was a tough call. I don't agree with it. I don't think it warranted a suspension. But I certainly respect their process. And I know JD is planning on appealing."

READ: Josh Donaldson Receives Suspension For 'Jackie' Comments to Tim Anderson

This all started when Donaldson called Anderson "Jackie [Robinson]" multiple times during Saturday's contest at Yankee Stadium, a comment that later sparked a benches-clearing altercation. 

It's the second time benches have cleared between these two clubs this season. Anderson and Donaldson got into it at third base last week in Chicago at Guaranteed Rate Field when the shortstop was pushed off the base by the third baseman.

In both cases, players rushed onto the field, but no punches were thrown and nobody was ejected. 

What Donaldson said, however, hasn't been forgotten.

Anderson was first to respond on Saturday, calling Donaldson's statement "disrespectful." That same word was used in MLB's official release on Monday, announcing Donaldson had been banned for one game.

Chicago's manager Tony La Russa called what Donaldson said "racist" while pitching coach Ethan Katz tweeted that the Yankee third baseman should've been suspended for more than a game. 

Perhaps the strongest opinion of all came from White Sox closer Liam Hendriks, who ripped Donaldson, saying his explanation for what happened—that calling Anderson "Jackie" was a joke—is "complete bulls--t."

Nonetheless, Boone didn't deem this situation worthy of a suspension.

Regardless, Donaldson wasn't on the field for New York on Monday night. He was placed on the COVID-19 injured list leading up to first pitch. Considering he is also appealing the suspension, discourse about what occurred between New York's slugger and Chicago's star shortstop isn't going away any time soon.

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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