Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson is not backing down after White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito called him out for a remark Donaldson made during Tuesday’s game.
Donaldson appeared to say “it’s not sticky anymore” after homering off Giolito in the first inning of Tuesday’s game, suggesting the Twins third baseman believed Giolito was using illegal foreign substances prior to MLB’s crackdown. When Giolito learned of the comment after the game, he called Donaldson “classless” and challenged him to say it to the pitcher’s face instead.
On Wednesday, Donaldson responded by saying he felt Giolito’s response was evidence that the pitcher had been breaking the rules up until now, adding that it was hypocritical for Giolito to talk about class if he “probably cheated.”
Josh Donaldson responds to Lucas Giolito calling his comments from last night "classless" by guessing that Giolito probably wouldn't have had a problem with what he said if he hadn't been using "sticky stuff" prior to the crackdown.
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) June 30, 2021
"If we're going to talk about class, what side are you going to choose? Are you going to take the side of somebody who's playing the game fair? Or are you going to take the side of someone who probably cheated?"
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) June 30, 2021
Donaldson added that he and Giolito spoke in the parking lot after Tuesday’s game, and that Giolito “didn’t have much to say.”
Donaldson on his conversation with Giolito, which he says took place in parking lot:
"He said he thought it was annoying. I said, 'So what? I'm on the opposing team. What do you care about me? I'm in your face, what do you have to say about that?' And he didn't have a response."
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) June 30, 2021
"My intention was not to show up Lucas Giolito, but he took it that way. … He has a problem with what he said on the field, and I have a problem with what he has to say in the Zoom room. And that's OK. We're not supposed to like each other. He's on another team."
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) June 30, 2021
Donaldson has not been shy about calling out pitchers he believes have been cheating. He not only feels he’s justified in doing so, but is definitely convinced that the falling spin rates across the league are vindication for him in some ways. Don’t expect him to stop now.
The back-and-forth between Donaldson and Giolito may not be over. The two division rivals are scheduled to meet 12 more times this season, including in Minnesota next week. The odds are good that these two will face each other again, at least on the field.
