White Sox Campaign Turns Tim Anderson's Face Into Billboard Material

CHICAGO — White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson may not be a big hit in the Big Apple, but he certainly continues to play just fine in Chicago. On and off the field.

Anderson, who sparked the Sox’s series win over the Yankees last weekend when he and New York third baseman Josh Donaldson created the stir, is now billboard material in Chicago. The Sox Wednesday announced a new marketing campaign Wednesday that promotes the star shortstop as the Face of Baseball.

One photo image included on one of the billboards shows Anderson with his finger over his mouth as he rounds the bases following a three-run homer that helped clinch a doubleheader sweep of the Yankees on Sunday. Anderson had been booed by Yankees fans after he and Donaldson feuded after Donaldson referred to Anderson as “Jackie” — a reference to a 2019 interview when Anderson said he wanted to be the modern-day Jackie Robinson.

Anderson told reporters that Donaldson referred to him as “Jackie” in the past and Anderson made it clear three years ago that he wanted no part of any further conversations. Donaldson told reporters over the weekend that the use of "Jackie" was an inside joke between himself and Anderson.

“I told him that, you know, we don't ever have to talk again,” Anderson said. “I won't speak to you. You won't speak to me if that's how you're going to refer to me. And I know he knew exactly what he was doing because I already told him."

In addition to booing Anderson in New York, Yankees fans had started chanting "Jackie" at Anderson before he hit the momentum-shifting home run that secured a 5-0 victory against the American League's top team.

Donaldson was suspended and fined for his comments, which baseball officials characterized as “inappropriate” and that Sox manager Tony La Russa said were racist. Donaldson has appealed the fine and the suspension and is currently on baseball’s COVID-19 list.

Another of the billboards and advertising that will be showcased on CTA trains around the city through the end of May includes the phrase “Baseball Needs More Tim Anderson,” an homage to the popular shortstop who many pundits consider one of the best players in the game today.

This week, Anderson told reporters that he is ready to move past the incident with Donaldson and get back to focusing on baseball.

“I'm going to continue to keep playing hard and keep being a great teammate,” Anderson said. “Keep being the best version of myself I can be.”

The billboards, the Sox said, will be displayed from Chicago’s Bucktown neighborhood to Guaranteed Rate Field.