Jun 29, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) smiles as he crosses home plate after hitting a two run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito didn’t take kindly to Josh Donaldson’s comments after the Minnesota Twins slugger belted a two-run homer on the fifth pitch of Tuesday’s contest.
“Hey, it’s not sticky anymore. It’s not sticky anymore,” Donaldson was overheard to say by the television microphone on the Twins’ broadcast. His comment appears to reference Major League Baseball’s recent focus against pitchers using sticky substances.
Giolito wasn’t focused on Donaldson at the time, however he sure had something to say after the White Sox posted a 7-6 win over the Twins in Chicago.
“I saw it after the fact. He’s (an expletive) pest,” the 26-year-old Giolito said. “That’s kind of a classless move. If you’re going to talk (expletive), talk (expletive) to my face. Don’t go across home plate and do all that, just come to me.”
Donaldson was not made available to the media after the game.
The 2015 American League MVP, however, has been one of the more vocal players regarding pitchers’ alleged use of foreign substances earlier in the season. He previously called out New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole on the topic.
“Is it coincidence that Gerrit Cole’s spin rate numbers went down after four minor leaguers got suspended for 10 games,” Donaldson said earlier this month. “Is that possible? I don’t know. Maybe.”
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–Field Level Media