Image via Getty/Nuccio DiNuzzo
White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson has been suspended for one game for his participation in a benches-clearing incident during Wednesday’s game against The Royals, ESPN reports.
In addition to the suspension, Anderson will be fined, and White Sox manager Rick Renteria will also be suspended one game and face a fine, per the Chicago Tribune.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan tweeted, “During the benches-clearing incident, White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson called Royals pitcher Brad Keller a ‘weak-ass f---ing n-word,’ sources tell ESPN. Anderson, who was hit by a Keller pitch one at-bat after he hit a home run and flipped his bat, was suspended for one game.”
ESPN shares that after Anderson was plunked by Royals pitcher Brad Keller during Wednesday’s game, the benches cleared and players began shouting and pushing, though it appears no punches were thrown—Renteria and Royals bench coach Dale Sveum also shoved each other. The umpire crew chief then ejected Anderson, Keller, Renteria, and Sveum.
In a statement from MLB's chief baseball officer Joe Torre, he explained that Anderson was reprimanded “for his conduct after the benches cleared,” but didn’t share any more details, per the Tribune.
Keller was fined and handed a five-game suspension for “intentionally throwing a pitch” at Anderson, and Renteria was fined and suspended for “aggressive actions during the incident.” Anderson and Keller’s suspensions haven’t been enforced in case they decide to appeal. Anderson revealed on Friday that he won't appeal.
Read some of the reactions to Tim Anderson's suspension below, with many finding the move ridiculous and possibly racist.