When Josh Donaldson displayed remorse with apology to Jackie Robinson's family following his inappropriate 'Jackie' comment during a brawl

During a heated on-field exchange in 2022, New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson used the word "Jackie" to refer to a Black opponent, Chicago White Sox infielder Tim Anderson.

The term was considered racist as Jackie Robinson is widely regarded as a legend in baseball after breaking the color barrier in 1947.

Donaldson was hit with a one-game ban and apologized to Robinson and his family.

“First and foremost, I have the utmost respect for what Tim Anderson brings to the game of baseball. I stated over the weekend that I apologized for offending Tim and that it was a misunderstanding based on multiple exchanges between us over the years."

He further noted:

"My view of that exchange hasn’t changed and I absolutely meant no disrespect. In the past, it had never been an issue and now that it is, we have a mutual understanding. I would also like to apologize to Mrs. Rachel Robinson and the Jackie Robinson family for any distress this incident may have caused. Jackie was a true American hero and I hold his name in the highest regard.”

Former Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa deemed Donaldson's comments racist, while Anderson claimed that the "Jackie" jab was never meant to be amusing but instead intended to incite anger.

In his defense, Donaldson said that the reason he referred to Anderson as "Jackie" was because the White Sox shortstop compared himself to the legendary Dodgers player in a 2019 Sports Illustrated interview.

“I kind of feel like today’s Jackie Robinson,” Anderson had said. “That’s huge to say. But it’s cool, man, because he changed the game, and I feel like I’m getting to a point to where I need to change the game.”

Jackie Robinson became the first Black player to play in MLB in the modern era. He broke the color barrier when he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers in April 1947.

Who is Josh Donaldson?

Josh Donaldson joined the Oakland Athletics in 2010 as a catcher and played third base as he advanced with the organization before being named an All-Star in the 2014 MLB season.

Donaldson received the most fan votes of any player after being traded to the Blue Jays and was selected as the starter for the 2015 MLB All-Star Game. He was also named the American League's Most Valuable Player for the 2015 MLB season.

Pittsburgh Pirates v New York Yankees

In addition to winning the Silver Slugger Award, Donaldson topped the American League in both runs scored and runs batted in.

After stints with the Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins, Donaldson landed with the New York Yankees in 2022. Last season, he batted .222/.308/.374 with 15 home runs and 62 RBIs.