Aaron Judge’s take on Josh Donaldson controversy says it all

In the 72 hours following Josh Donaldson’s racially-tinged “Jackie” snipe directed towards White Sox SS Tim Anderson, Yankees fans have been treated to take after take attempting to rebuke  Donaldson’s words while defending his intent, determining what’s in his head without getting an X-Ray.

They’ve also been treated to three consecutive losses, leading to the feeling of spiraling in multiple respects.

Whether Donaldson intended his derisive comment to evoke racism or not, he certainly intended to get under Anderson’s skin — which both worked and crossed a line, according to the only person whose opinion on the matter is necessary: Anderson himself.

Anderson believing Donaldson went a bridge too far was enough for David Cone on Sunday night’s broadcast. It was also enough for Aaron Judge to deliver a public judgment of his teammate’s actions without impugning Donaldson the person.

The Yankees will be without Donaldson for the foreseeable future until he clears COVID protocol, at which point he’ll serve a one-game suspension (post-appeal) for his actions over the weekend.

According to Judge after the team’s first night without Donaldson in the locker room, the third baseman handled his business and addressed the team before he left. Judge believes it’s time for the team to move forward, but made it clear he agrees that Donaldson crossed a line in the heat of the moment.

Yankees’ Aaron Judge forgives Josh Donaldson, but agrees his “Jackie” comment was wrong

“Joke or not, I just don’t think it’s the right thing to do.”

“JD made a mistake.”

There. Was that so hard?

In addition to noting his disagreement with Donaldson’s decision, Judge also praised Anderson’s impact on the game, which was evident when he responded with a three-run homer that helped put Sunday night’s revenge game out of reach.

All Anderson has attempted to do since joining the league is express himself while dominating, something Donaldson took a swipe at to elevate their feud to another level.

Judge and Anderson are a big part of the league’s future, something Donaldson will have to reckon with as his career continues — possibly into a 2022 playoff battle with the White Sox.

That is, if MLB gets what it wants.

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