Tim Anderson goes after Josh Donaldson between innings of Yankees-White Sox matinee

The saying about how Josh Donaldson is lovable if he’s on your team and detestable if he plays for your opponent could not be more true when the Yankees and White Sox face off.

Thanks to a scheduling quirk, these non-diegetic rivals are in Battle No. 5 of seven in a one-week span, and the hostility between Donaldson and Tim Anderson has carried over from last week’s set in Chicago (and, quite likely, previous action from Donaldson’s Minnesota days, when he once chirped Lucas Giolito about his sticky hands during a home run trot).

Last week’s flashpoint was a tag at third base that Anderson deemed too harsh, but which didn’t amount to anything on the field of play. The Sox shortstop wasn’t called out, and there was no controversy — only a cloud of dust between he and Donaldson.

This time around, though the Bringer of Rain brought Yankee fans a one-day delay to the action with a storm Friday night, Anderson chirped his way after the bottom of the third inning, when Donaldson’s RBI fielder’s choice brought home a single run, but no more.

What was it this time that got Anderson’s goat? Who knows?

He can’t pass up a chance to get a shot in at Donaldson these days, though, and between-innings wandering presents some easy face time.

Yankees’ Josh Donaldson receives some chirping from White Sox Tim Anderson, reciprocates

No word yet on what inning the bullpens will casually clear this time around before deciding to go about their business and trudge back to their homes.

Anderson has a short, but extensive history with these modern Yankees, most famously spoiling the Field of Dreams Game in Summer 2021 by walking off Zack Britton moments after Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton’s heroics.

If these two teams finally manage to find themselves in an atmosphere with playoff intensity and Donaldson on the roster, watch out. Those celebratory throat slash gestures might be big enough to see from space.

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