Josh Donaldson says it's 'difficult' to hear Yankees critique Jackie's comments about Tim Anderson

MLB fined New York Yankees player Josh Donaldson for one game for calling Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson "Jackie" and refer to Jackie Robinson... New York Yankees player Josh Donaldson responded to criticism from his teammates after revealing that he had made conflicting comments about the short-lived dismissal of the Chicago White Sox, Tim Anderson.

Donaldson, 36, was fined for the game last month for making "inappropriate comments" to White Sox team Tim Anderson.

Players from the White Sox and Yankees said Donaldson called Anderson "Jackie" several times during a recent game. Jackie's comments reportedly relate to the late Jackie Robinson, a black baseball player known to have violated the MLB color barrier. Anderson is also black.

Since then, Donaldson's teammates have criticized him for his comments, including Yankees star Aaron Judge.

"Kids or not, I don't think it's the right thing to do," Judge said after the May 23 SNY game. Ahead of the Yankees' game against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, Donaldson said it was difficult to hear a response from his teammates.

"I think it's tough to hear just because I'm proud to be a good teammate, and everywhere I've gone, every organization I've been to, except Auckland, has offered me an extension. They showed that they wanted me to be part of their team," he said. "It didn't work out. And that's just the end of the deal. I win. I think part of winning is good chemistry in the team, and I'm proud that I always try to help people improve wherever I go.

After the incident, Donaldson admitted to making comments against Jackie but said he didn't want them to be racist. Instead, he believes it was an inside joke stemming from Anderson's May 2019 interview with Sports Illustrated, where he said, "I feel like Jackie Robinson today."

"I don't mean any term trying to be racist with any facts on the matter. It was just an interview with what he refers to as himself," he added. "He thought it was disrespectful, and I'm sorry if he did. I didn't try to do it anyway, and it happened."