(670 The Score) White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal was involved in an altercation with shortstop Tim Anderson prior to a July game, one that Grandal hoped to skip prior to the All-Star break.
The incident occurred on Sunday, July 9, prior to the White Sox’s game with the Cardinals in Chicago, as multiple sources told Parkins & Spiegel executive producer Shane Riordan.
When Grandal found out he was not in the lineup, he planned to leave prior to the game, according to Riordan. Anderson took exception to his teammate planning to leave and skip a game and confronted Grandal.
“Tim Anderson says, well F--- you, F--- that, if he wants to get out of here now, I’ll pay for his flight and bring him there myself,” Riordan said.
Grandal then approached Anderson and slapped him, starting a fight between the two teammates that was ultimately separated.
Grandal appeared that game as a pinch hitter and struck out in his only action of the game. Anderon was 0-for-5 on the game.
The White Sox are 45-68 this season and underwent a selloff in July that sent away Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly, Kendall Graveman, Keynan Middleton Reynaldo Lopez and Jake Burger.
Middleton, who was traded to the Yankees, told ESPN that the White Sox have a clubhouse culture with “no rules.”
Lynn, now with the Dodgers, corroborated Middleton’s beliefs on Monday as he spoke with the Los Angeles Times.
“I was there a lot longer than (Middleton) was,” Lynn said. “He’s not wrong.”
Grandal is playing the final season of a four-year, $73-million deal with the White Sox this season. Anderson is also playing the final year of his contract with the White Sox.
Anderson was suspended six games on Monday for his role in a brawl between the White Sox and Guardians on Saturday night in Cleveland.
The White Sox host the Yankees on Monday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Listen live to 670 The Score via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker