(670 The Score) In an in-depth interview on The Pivot Podcast that was hosted by ESPN personality and former NFL safety Ryan Clark, White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson opened up about his personal struggles in the past year-plus, including an affair in which he had a son out of wedlock.
“I never really wanted to play the internet game, and I never did,” Anderson said. “I wanted to stay into like the real life, the real life phase of what I’ve created and try to handle it the best way I can and kind of more so keeping people out of the business. Because nobody really ever understood what I was going through when I was making those decisions or where my heart was or what was on my mind or how hurt I was or how lonely I felt. But ultimately, the goal was never to really play with anybody’s feelings. It was more so, I was just trying to find who I am and continue to keep going and identify myself. I made a couple decisions that probably shouldn’t have been made along the way, but I’m open to dealing with them and growing with them. This is what it is. I’m willing to take whatever smoke comes with it, and I just really want to be honest. Really, the most honest I can be with the world, with the people around me and the people I love and just continue to keep stepping by faith, having faith in everything I do and just knowing that all this is going to get better at the end of the day.”
Anderson’s interview on The Pivot Podcast, which was released Tuesday, was the first time he had publicly addressed his personal situation in such extensive detail. His wife, Bria, has stood by his side. The couple has two daughters together.
“It was a lot of work behind the scenes,” Anderson said.
“We went to therapy, just digging into what was it, what caused me to go into these spaces or even that space to even create that. It’s a tough conversation. It’s a tough situation. I feel like we did a lot of work as far as understanding it and showing my love to my wife and to my kids. But it’s something that I’m still going through, trying to master it to get to the point to where I’m OK with walking it and stepping in it, 1,000% for sure.”
Anderson also emphasized that he’s focused on being the best father possible for his three kids.
“I’m going to step up to the plate,” Anderson said. “That goes back to when I was a kid, my dad, I know what it feels like not having your dad around. So 1,000%, I was there, been there, will always be there. And I’m always going to do what’s right for my kids.”
Anderson indicated that his personal struggles affected his play on the field. Anderson was an All-Star in 2022 but was inconsistent and injured in the second half of the season. He's hitting .263 with a .611 OPS in 46 games this season. It has also been a journey for him to get to the point in which he could open up more, he said.
“Even just to be right here to talk to y’all, it’s crazy,” Anderson said. “Because when I was first going through it, I didn’t want to be seen. I didn’t want to be talked to, but I still had to go out and play. So that even made it a whole lot tougher on me.”
You can watch the full interview below.
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