Former Yankee Josh Donaldson Fires Back at Orioles Fan Following Heated Series

The first half of the season ended quietly for some teams.

Not the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees.

The two American League East powerhouses have been duking it out all season in the standings. Last Friday, they nearly came to blows on the field.

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The fracas began when Yankees closer Clay Holmes threw a pitch at the head of Baltimore Orioles left fielder Heston Kjerstad. The 25-year-old rookie ducked but could not entirely get out of the way of the pitch, which hit him in the back of the helmet.

The effect of the 97-mph sinker to the head was of no small consequence. The next day, Baltimore placed Kjerstad on the 7-day injured list with concussion-related symptoms.

Before emotions could give way to medical exams, however, fans from both teams chimed in on social media. Among them? Former Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson.

Donaldson, who was known for wearing his heart on his sleeve during a 13-year playing career, responded to a Twitter/X post from an Orioles fan who goes by “Freddie” that read:

“For the record: I know the HBP by Holmes was not on purpose.
The fight started when the Yankees dugout started chirping at Hyde after. There is zero context in which that is sportsmanlike after a player gets drilled in the head.
That’s why everyone hates your team.”

Donaldson had a bone to pick with Freddie’s assessment of the situation.

“No you hate the Yankees because year after year they have beat down your hopes and dreams of winning. First, by beating you on the field. Second, even if they have a down year they can go reload. Enjoy this little stretch your players will be a Yankee, Dodger, or Red Sox.”

On the surface, the back-and-forth is perfectly in line with the kind of sparring that ensues online after a benches-clearing brawl. And more than many of his peers, Donaldson has been unshy about voicing his opinions on a variety of topics.

What’s telling is that this rivalry rose to the surface in the mind of a veteran of seven different major league teams. Before joining the Yankees in March 2022, Donaldson played for the Oakland A’s, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Guardians, Atlanta Braves, and Minnesota Twins; he finished his career in Milwaukee.

Donaldson has seen plenty of baseball rivalries in his day. What made this one different?

For the first time in years, the Yankees have a genuine rivalry brewing with a team other than the Red Sox (a rivalry that dates back a century) or Rays (who have qualified for the postseason five years in a row, winning the AL East in 2020 and 2021). The Orioles are young and talented and figure to be closer to the top of the division than the bottom for a while.

Read more: Yankees ‘Pissed Off’ at Orioles After Aaron Judge Injury; Will They Seek Revenge?

The Bronx Bombers are coming off their worst season in years. Last year the Yankees went 82-80 and missed the postseason for only the second time in the last 10 years. The Orioles posted the best record in baseball during the regular season (101-61). This year, they entered the All-Star break leading the division by a game.

Don’t expect this rivalry to die down anytime soon. Even the Yankees’ alumni are invested.