Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Joe Kelly bashed Josh Donaldson for calling Tim Anderson “Jackie.”
It took nearly two days for MLB to reach a decision regarding punishment for New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson, who called Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson “Jackie [Robinson]” during their game on May 21. On Monday, MLB announced that they have suspended Donaldson one game and fined him an undisclosed amount of money for his comments that played a role in the benches clearing.
Not everyone was pleased with the severity of Donaldson’s punishment, such as White Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz. Relief pitcher Joe Kelly was on “The Parkins and Spiegel Show” on 670 The Score, and he did not mince words when talking about Donaldson and the comments he made.
Joe Kelly bashes Josh Donaldson for Tim Anderson comments
This was an instant reaction by Kelly, who was live on the air when news broke of Donaldson’s suspension. In fact, the relief pitcher said that he got suspended for “making a silly face.”
Joe Kelly thought Josh Donaldson should’ve been suspended more than 1 game.
Kelly: “I got suspended eight for making a silly face … Because apparently I caused a pandemic. I caused people to get sick because benches cleared.”
Full interview: https://t.co/pPS1REuoQ8 pic.twitter.com/FkqheJgqjG
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) May 23, 2022
Kelly’s “silly face” comment was in reference to that 2020 baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros, where the pitcher threw behind Alex Bregman and mockingly pouted at Carlos Correa. Kelly received the suspension for causing the benches to clear.
After the May 21 game between the White Sox and Yankees, manager Tony La Russa said that Donaldson made a “racist” comment. Anderson said that the third baseman said “what’s up, Jackie [Robinson].”
Donaldson confirmed that he did say that, but that it was in reference to Anderson’s comments in a 2019 interview with Sports Illustrated, where he said he felt like “today’s Jackie Robinson.” Donaldson claimed that the two joked about it in the past, but that he apologized and was open to speaking with Anderson.
MLB said in their statement that Donaldson’s comment was “disrespectful and in poor judgment.” That, and it played a role in the benches clearing, which is why it “warrants discipline.” Donaldson is appealing the suspension.
If you wanted to know Kelly’s thoughts on the Donaldson punishment, now you know.
