On Saturday, things got heated between the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox, leading to a benches-clearing brawl. It was reported that Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson, who is white, said to White Sox outfielder Tim Anderson, who is black, “Hey Jackie,” referring to Jackie Robinson.

White Sox manager Tony LaRussa characterized the comment as racist, as his player certainly took offense to it. After the game, the Yankees third baseman provided context saying that he was referring to the 2019 Sports Illustrated article where Anderson referred to himself as ‘today's Jackie Robinson.'

Yankees manager Aaron Boone addressed the topic on Sunday. According to the New York Post, Boone understood the context with which the comment was referring, but certainly did not agree with him saying it.

“I understand that Josh has been very forthcoming with the history of it, the context of it. I don’t believe there was any malicious intent with that regard. This is just somewhere in my opinion he should not be going,” Boone said. “When I first heard the name Jackie mentioned, I was really taken aback and frankly upset about it myself.”

The Yankees manager said that he met with Donaldson and a few other players Sunday morning prior to their double header with the White Sox. Donaldson pointed out that he had used the term with Anderson in jest in the past numerous times.

The Yankees enter Sunday's game with the best record in the majors at 29-10. Meanwhile, the White Sox have been a disappointment thus far at 19-20 and behind the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central.