White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson is slapped with one-game suspension for flipping the bird at fans while racking up three errors in 11-1 loss to Cleveland
- Shortstop Tim Anderson has been suspended one game but is appealing
- He flipped a middle finger at fans from the field in Cleveland on Wednesday
- Anderson racked up three errors in the 11-1 loss to the Guardians
- He has been a defensive disaster, making six errors in past three games alone
- Another Anderson error cost the Sox a loss to the Twins on Friday night
Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson was suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball on Friday for giving fans the middle finger during a game this week in Cleveland.
Anderson is appealing the ban and remained in the lineup hitting leadoff on Friday night at Minnesota, where his sixth error in just three games cost the Sox another loss.
In Wednesday’s game, where he flipped the bird in the opener of a doubleheader, Anderson had three errors in the first two innings of Chicago’s 11-1 loss.
The frustrated 28-year-old made the gesture toward a fan while out in the field. He is believed to have done so in response to a comment shouted at him, although it’s unclear what was said – or who said it.
Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson was suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball on Friday for giving fans the middle finger
In Wednesday’s game, where he flipped the bird in the opener of a doubleheader, Anderson had three errors in the first two innings of Chicago’s 11-1 loss
‘I have to apologize for my actions,’ Anderson said after his suspension was announced on Friday.
‘There are a lot of people who really look up to me. I take full accountability for what I did. It’s something I have to learn from and grow from.’
It’s the second time MLB has suspended Anderson this season.
He served a two-game ban on opening weekend for making contact with umpire Tim Timmons during the ninth inning of a game on September 27.
Anderson successfully appealed that suspension down from three games.
Anderson is batting .333 with five RBIs and a home run heading into this week’s series in Minneapolis.
Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox throws the ball during Friday’s game in Minneapolis. Another Anderson error cost the Sox that game in a 2-1 loss
Anderson is batting .333 with five RBIs and a home run heading into this week’s series in Minneapolis — but his play on the defensive end has been sorely lacking
He made his first All-Star team in 2021 and finished the season with a .309 average, 17 home runs and 61 RBIs to help lead the White Sox to an AL Central title.
But his sloppy play in recent games is costing the Sox dearly, with six errors in the past three games alone. He committed just 10 all of last season.
On Friday night, Anderson and first baseman José Abreu each made throwing errors on the same sloppy play, allowing the Minnesota Twins to score the go-ahead run in the eighth inning.
The Twins went on to beat the Sox 2-1 following the costly double error.
Anderson skipped a throw to first on Carlos Correa’s two-out infield single that scored Ryan Jeffers from third.
Anderson’s sloppy play in recent games is costing the Sox dearly, with six errors in the past three games alone. He committed just 10 all of last season
Correa may have stepped on Abreu’s glove while he tried to scoop the ball, ripping it off Abreu’s hand.
Abreu chased down the misfire and whipped the ball home, even though baserunner Luis Arraez had stopped at third. Abreu’s throw was also wild, and Arraez scampered home for a 2-1 lead.
The White Sox loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, but Emilio Pagán escaped for his second save.
He got Reese McGuire to pop out for the second out and struck out Jake Burger looking to end the game.