NEW YORK — Yasmani Grandal had Tim Anderson’s back.

So did Anderson’s other teammates during a 7-5 loss to the Yankees Saturday.

In the White Sox’ view, Josh Donaldson went too far with a comment manager Tony La Russa called “racist.”

“He made a disrespectful comment,” Anderson said. “Basically tried to call me Jackie Robinson, ‘What’s up Jackie.’ I don’t play like that. I don’t need to play at all. I wasn’t really bothering nobody today but he made a comment and it was disrespectful and I don’t think it was called for.”

Anderson said Donaldson said it in the first inning, and when he said it again in the third, Anderson said something back and second baseman Leury Garcia and third base coach Joe McEwing had to stop Anderson from approaching Donaldson. When Donaldson came to the plate in the fifth, Grandal was waiting for him.

“I want to make sure I got my teammate’s back,” Grandal said. “There’s no way you’re allowed to say something like that. It’s unacceptable.”

Benches and bullpens emptied. No punches thrown but Anderson had to be restrained by Jose Abreu, even after they returned to the dugout.

“This game went through a time where a lot of those comments were made, and I think we’re way past that,” Grandal said. “It’s just unacceptable. I thought it was a low blow.”

Donaldson said that he called Anderson “Jackie” referring to a 2019 interview in which Anderson said he felt like “today’s Jackie Robinson.” Donaldson said that he thought it was an inside joke.

“I called him Jackie,” Donaldson said. “He came out with an interview that says he’s the new Jackie Robinson … We’ve actually joked about that. I’ve said it to him in years past, not in any manner [other] than just joking around.”

But there was nothing funny about this to the Sox.

“I don’t think TA is just going to pop off to somebody without something being instigated,” Sox starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel said. “And I think that’s very sad, just first thought. There’s no need or room for that anywhere. Here or in the game.”

The Yankees led 6-3 at the time, scoring all their runs including four on a DJ LeMahieu grand slam against Dallas Keuchel. The Sox got three on a three-run homer by Abreu and narrowed the deficit to 6-5 in the sixth on doubles by AJ Pollock, Leury Garcia and Josh Harrison against righty Michael King.

A sacrifice fly by Anthony Rizzo in the sixth made it 7-5. The Sox (19-20) had 11 hits but were 3-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base. The Yankees improved to 29-10.

Anderson and Donaldson, playing third base, got into it last Friday in the Yankees’ 10-4 win at Guaranteed Rate Field when Anderson, diving back to third base on a pickoff attempt, was tagged hard and was pushed off the base by Donaldson.

Donaldson has gotten into it before, including a spat with Lucas Giolito last June after he homered against the right-hander. At the time when a ban on pitchers using substances was going into effect, Donaldson yelled “It’s not sticky anymore.”

Said Giolito: “He’s a [bleeping] pest. That’s kind of a classless move.”

Donaldson would later approach Giolito in the parking lot. He said he would talk Anderson.

“I’m sure he’ll see [what I said postgame],” Donaldson said. “If If he wanted to talk, I’d be more than happy to talk.”

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NEW YORK — Benches and bullpens emptied during the fifth inning of the Yankees and White Sox game Saturday at Yankee Stadium, with no punches thrown but tempers flaring — especially Sox shortstop Tim Anderson’s — after Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal and Yankees designated hitter Josh Donaldson exchanged words at home plate.

Donaldson and Anderson had words at the end of the third inning after Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s inning-ending flyout to right field. As Donaldson, who was on first base, came into Anderson’s vicinity near second, Sox third base coach Joe McEwing and second baseman Leury Garcia stepped between Anderson and Donaldson as Anderson made his way back to the dugout.

When Donaldson came to the plate in the fifth, Grandal got close to his ear and said something that led to the benches and bullpens emptying. Anderson, visibly upset, had to be restrained by Jose Abreu, who kept a firm hold on Anderson even after they returned to the dugout.

There were no punches thrown or ejections. After the dust settled and the game resumed, Donaldson struck out against Sox right-hander Reynaldo Lopez.

The Yankees led 6-3 at the time, scoring all their runs against Dallas Keuchel. The Sox got three on a three-run homer by Abreu. DJ LeMahieu hit a grand slam in the second.

Anderson and Donaldson, playing third base, got into it last Friday in the Yankees’ 10-4 win at Guaranteed Rate Field when Anderson, diving back to third base on a pickoff attempt, was tagged hard and was pushed off the base by Donaldson.

“We had an opportunity to get a pick right there and I thought we were gonna get him,” Donaldson said. “It’sa baseball play. Obviously, he didn’t like that.

“Competitive guys, two guys competing, trying to make a play happen right there.”

Donaldson has gotten into it before, including a spat with Lucas Giolito last June after he homered against the right-hander. At the time when a ban on pitchers using substances was going into effect, Donaldson yelled “It’s not sticky anymore.”

Said Giolito: “He’s a [bleeping] pest. That’s kind of a classless move. If you’re going to talk s—, talk to my face. Don’t go across home plate and do all that. Just come to me.”

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NEW YORK – Yoan Moncada was scratched because of right leg soreness and Jose Abreu was switched from first base to designated hitter because of a head cold as the White Sox opened a three-game series against the Yankees Saturday.

Moncada felt something rounding first base during his final at-bat in the Sox’ 7-4 victory over the Royals Thursday. Manager Tony La Russa indicated Moncada would be available on the bench and expected him to play in one of the games in Sunday’s doubleheader.

“Moncada will be our bench strength,” manager Tony La Russa said. “Want to make sure his legs are all right.”

“If I had to bet, he’d play the second game [Sunday]. He won’t play both.”

Moncada, didn’t play his first game of the season until May 9 because of an oblique strain suffered in spring training, has played on only nine games this season.

Anderson taking care

Tim Anderson spent two stints on the injured list with hamstring problems last season. This season, it’s so far, so good.

“I feel good,” Anderson said Saturday. “I get what I need to take care of myself.”

Which includes regular visits to the trainer’s room for maintenance.

“Like a pit stop,” Anderson said. “Got to go through it, get what you need and take care of your body. To be ready. I go to training room a lot. I’m not afraid to go in there and tell them what I need. They’re in there to help.”

La Russa has been mindful of keeping Anderson fresh. During the five-game series in Kansas City this week, he rested Anderson in Game 2 of a doubleheader Tuesday. With an off day Monday, La Russa said Anderson probably will play both ends of Sunday’s doubleheader.

Anderson said he took care of his legs last season but is more intentional about it this year.

“Not saying I didn’t take care of myself last year, but now I do a little more to stay within myself, try to stay feeling good every day,” he said. “I do recovery stuff at home. I just try to stay on top of it to try to prevent it. Taking care of the body, especially the legs.”

Cease: Rest is good

Dylan Cease’s normal turn would be Sunday on four days rest but he’ll get six days between starts if he faces the Red Sox, as expected on Tuesday. Starters will get extra rest throughout the season when the time is right.

“I feel good about it,” Cease said. “It’s always nice to get rest when you can. I’m feeling good either way but it’s smart to kind of strategically place it in there.”

Cease said he feels good now but said it’s “just smart to have it” for long-term benefits.

“There are the dog days of summer,” he said. “It’s good to find it when you can.”

The only drawback is “knocking off the rust, especially if it’s multiple times in a row, but it’s worth it,” he said.

Cease threw an “intense” bullpen Saturday and said he would probably throw 10 or 15 pitches off a mound Monday for fine-tuning.

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I was thinking about how little I know about you folks who follow my weekly quiz. Then again, you don’t know that much about me, either. For example, I have a master’s degree with a specialization in reading disability (NYU didn’t offer one in being a quizmaster). I mention this because I frequently remind parents and grandparents how important it is to read to — and with — the children in their lives. This is why I love the Book Buddy program, which is part of the Chicago Sun-Times Charity Trust (read more at https://charitytrust.suntimes.com/chicago-reads-program). I’m going to be contributing to it, and I hope you will, too. On that note, with the legendary Bob Ryan of ESPN, I’ve got a new book out: ”In Scoring Position: 40 Years of a Baseball Love Affair.” My publisher, Triumph Books, which is located in the heart of Chicago, will be making some of their age-appropriate books available to the program, as well. Good folks.

So read a book, share some books and help the kids of Chicago.

On to the quiz:

1. Through 30 games this season, the White Sox were a meh 15-15. I don’t want to put a damper on things, but they’ve never reached the -postseason with a start like that. When was the last time the Sox started at .500 through 30 games?

a. 2017

b. 2007

c. 2003

d. 1991

2. On May 28-29, the White Sox will host the Cubs. In the last 10 seasons (2013-22), which team has the better record against the other?

a. Cubs

b. White Sox

c. The same

3. ”Now on the mound for the -Cardinals, Albert Pujols.” Well, that was -unexpected. Pujols, 42, became the oldest player to make his MLB pitching debut since Lena Blackburne pitched at 42 for the 1929 White Sox. Who was that team’s manager who made the decision?

a. Tony La Russa

b. Eddie Collins

c. Lena Blackburne

d. Ray Schalk

4. Which of the following position(s) has Willson Contreras played besides catcher?

a. First base

b. Second base

c. Third base

d. All three

5. Which of the following position(s) did Ernie Banks play besides shortstop?

a. First base

b. Second base

c. Third base

d. All three

6. During his Hall of Fame career, Frank Thomas stole 32 bases. I was surprised that Harold Baines, during his Hall of Fame career, stole only two more (34). Here’s a question that should be easy for old Yankees and/or Hall fans out there: Who stole more bases, Joe DiMaggio or Yogi Berra?

a. Joltin’ Joe

b. Yogi

c. The same

7. In the last 10 seasons (2013-22), which pitcher has thrown the most complete games for the White Sox or the Cubs?

a. Kyle Hendricks

b. Chris Sale

c. Lucas Giolito

d. Jake Arrieta

8. Through May 15, Nico Hoerner and Jonathan Villar were the only two Cubs to have four hits in a game. How did that compare with the number of players the Sox had?

a. More

b. Less

c. The same

9. Through May 15 (33 games), the Cubs had homered 13 times in the first three innings, more than in the rest of the game combined (seven homers in the middle three innings and four in the last three). In those 33 games, how many homers did Cubs pitchers allow compared to the number the team hit in each third of the game?

a. More

b. Less

c. The same

ANSWERS

1. Just so you know, those weren’t random numbers. They started 15-15 in each of the seasons listed, with 2017 the most recent.

2. If you like the glass half-full, the Cubs and Sox each have 23 wins. If you look at the glass as half-empty, they each have 23 losses. They are 23-23.

3. Blackburne was the player/manager, and he brought himself in to pitch on June 5, 1929, in what was to be his final MLB game. The Red Sox beat the White Sox 17-2. Blackburne faced one batter, who singled and drove in two runs. The batter was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double, and the side was retired.

4. Contreras has played first and third.

5. Banks played first and third.

6. DiMaggio and Berra each stole 30 bases in the regular season.

7. Sale tossed 13 complete games for the Sox, Hendricks and Arrieta had six each and Giolito had five. That totals 30 complete games, the same total that Fergie Jenkins had in 1971.

8. Through May 15, no member of the White Sox had a four-hit game. Tim Anderson had six three-hit games.

9. Cubs pitchers allowed 14 homers in the first three innings and then 11 each in the next two thirds.

Read a book (hopefully mine)! Write me an email: [email protected]. Stay safe, stay healthy.

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White Sox manager Tony La Russa is about as popular as a power outage. Every day seems to bring at least one move he makes — or doesn’t make — that sends Sox fans into a tizzy, and not the good kind. Wait, is there a good kind of tizzy? Never mind.

The point is, Sox fans look at La Russa like the manager of the all-you-can-eat buffet looks at your cousin Earl, who hasn’t been able to buckle his overalls since the Carter administration.

In this week’s “Polling Place” — your home for Sun-Times sports polls on Twitter — we asked voters how much they trust the Hall of Fame skipper. The results were … yikes.

“I wouldn’t trust Tony La Russa to manage a T-ball team at this point,” @MJA773 commented.

We also asked which league has the best postseason among the NBA, NHL, NFL and — last and least, apparently — MLB. And we asked which of the four remaining teams in the NBA playoffs will win it all. On to the polls:

Poll No. 1: Fill in the blank: I ____ trust Tony La Russa’s managing of the White Sox.

Upshot: Did we mention the whole Hall of Fame thing? Still not impressed? We’re sure it’s nothing a simple 10- or 15-game winning streak can’t fix. An interesting question, though, was raised by @RonaldVoigt: “Would Tony be getting the same level of criticism if he were 58 instead of 78?” Something to think about.

Poll No. 2: Which league has the best postseason?

Upshot: Saying the Stanley Cup playoffs are the best is one thing. Watching the Stanley Cup playoffs like they’re the best is another. Ratings are way up with games on ESPN and TNT, but the NHL still lags far behind in the eyeballs-on-screens department. By the way: The voters aren’t wrong; the more you watch it, the more you realize postseason pucks is basically a nonstop thrill ride. No extra charge for that inside info.

Poll No. 3: Who will win the NBA title?

Upshot: “The Warriors seem to have the hot hand,” @JeffreyCanalia wrote. Come to think of it, it does seem like this Steph Curry fellow has gotten kind of good at putting the ball in the basket. Who knew? Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins aren’t so untalented themselves. Good team. Scary team. A title team? Our voters sure are feeling it.

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Patrick Williams said all the right things in his exit interview with the media recently.

The Bulls power forward always does.

When it comes to actions, however, that’s where the No. 4 overall pick from the 2020 draft has fallen short.

Williams often talks about being aggressive offensively but seldom has been. He has been open about being an elite defender but has appeared overmatched against the game’s best. He has spoken about being a driver of the Bulls’ bus as the organization has returned to relevancy but can often be found in the back seats near the emergency exit.

That’s why this offseason will be paramount for Williams and the franchise.

At some point, words and actions have to join hands if the former Florida State standout is going to justify his No. 4 selection.

Even Williams knows that. At least he said he did.

“As long as I know what I’m capable of . . . I know what I can do. I know what I can’t do. I know what I’m learning to do,” Williams said of living up to his high draft status. “Obviously, I have confidence in myself, but when you have the confidence of the coaching staff, your front office, your teammates, it’s easy to kind of back yourself, be confident in yourself. So I don’t really think too much of it. I just play basketball, learn as much as I can, take it one day at a time, and I think I have the talent, the skills. Then, of course, you have the love and support of the people around you, and the people around you want to see you do better. The people around you want to see you be a star.

“I think it’s inevitable, honestly.”

It needs to be inevitable, especially with the way the starting frontcourt was constructed. DeMar DeRozan is listed as a small forward but plays like a scoring guard. And with Nikola Vucevic’s defensive holes, a lot of the weight of defending the opposition’s best wing player falls on Williams when he’s healthy.

But he wasn’t available that much in 2021-22 because of a freak wrist injury that sidelined him for most of the regular season.

If there was some light at the end of the tunnel, however, it came in the last two games of the first-round playoff loss to the Bucks.

Williams had 20 points and 10 rebounds in Game 4, then 23 points in the elimination Game 5. Baby steps, but big-boy numbers. It was a small sample size that needs to transform into a trend.

But even if it does, the Bulls need more size and physicality at forward. The playoff series against the Bucks was a reminder of that, and the Eastern Conference is loaded with physical teams such as the Celtics, Heat and Raptors.

Fortunately for the Bulls, it’s a forward-heavy draft class.

WHAT THE BULLS HAVE

DeRozan, Williams, Javonte Green, Derrick Jones Jr., Troy Brown Jr.

WHO COULD BE ON THE MOVE

Jones is an unrestricted free agent and likely will be hitting the market, while the Bulls could make a qualifying offer to Brown. Don’t expect that to happen, as the forward spot needs some offseason help.

THE DRAFT

With the 18th pick, there will be some help available for the Bulls at power forward. LSU’s Tari Eason showed high-octane defensive ability, and Ohio State’s E.J. Liddell brings physicality to the position. Baylor’s Jeremy Sochan could be one of the better all-around defenders, as well as one of the younger prospects in the class, but he could be gone by No. 18.

FREE AGENCY

Unless the Bulls can free up some money, there’s little help in free agency with the type of player they need. And it’s not a great free-agent class overall, especially at forward.

WILD CARD

A tough-minded veteran who will guard and offer leadership off the bench, and would do so at a discount? Not an easy get. Thaddeus Young has to be on speed dial to see if he wants to return for some unfinished business.

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