Bringer of Passion: Ranking the Top 5 Josh Donaldson Altercations

[Matthew Taylor]

When the Minnesota Twins acquired Josh Donaldson, they acquired the “Bringer of Rain” and the “Bringer of Passion”. Donaldson is known for wearing his emotions on his sleeve and isn’t afraid of getting into any scuffle. Let’s rank Josh Donaldson’s top five altercations of his career.In order to quantify Donaldson’s altercations, I will be awarding extremely arbitrary Bringer of Passion (B.O.P.) points to every scuffle, and ranking them based on which altercations having the highest B.O.P. score.

 

5. September 20, 2016 - Donaldson vs. Umpire

 

 

Donaldson gets extremely heated in this altercation with home plate umpire, Chris Conroy. Following his ejection and getting into Conroy’s face, Donaldson does one of my favorite sports fight tactics where he does the “hold me back” and has Edwin Encarnación hold him so that he doesn’t get suspended. Finally, Donaldson gets bonus points for his repeated expletive use.

• Needing Encarnación to hold him back so he doesn’t get suspended (+5 points)
• Repeated expletive use (+5 points)

10 B.O.P Points

 

4. June 7, 2014 - Donaldson vs. Manny Machado

 

 

This Donaldson/Machado altercation is really a good one as it occurs between two superstar players. Machado truly gives a hall-of-fame flopping performance on the play after a completely fair tag by Donaldson and Donaldson reacts beautifully. My favorite part of the altercation is how Donaldson gives Machado a completely sarcastic smile when Machado gets into his face, making Machado look even more ridiculous for how big of a deal he makes from the play. Finally, Donaldson gets bonus points for being involved in a benches-clearing play.

• Altercation with superstar player, Manny Machado (+5 points)
• Donaldson’s sarcastic smile as Machado is getting in his face (+5 points)
• Benches clear (+5 points)

15 B.O.P Points

 

3. June 10, 2019 - Donaldson vs. Joe Musgrove

 

 

With the Pittsburgh Pirates beginning what looks to be a firesale, talk about Joe Musgrove has picked up. While Musgrove could bring a lot to the Twins’ rotation, the dynamic between him and Donaldson in the clubhouse would be interesting after their scuffle last season. In this altercation, Donaldson earns points from his shove of catcher, Elias Diaz, from his hilariously easy to lip-read, “What are you looking at?”, and the bonus points for the bench clearing.

• Donaldson shoves catcher (+10 points)
• Donaldson’s hilariously easy to lip-read, “What are you looking at?” (+10 points)
• Benches clear (+5 points)

25 B.O.P. points

 

2. October 9, 2015 - Donaldson vs. Keone Kela

 

 

It’s not often that you see a benches-clearing altercation in the ALDS, nonetheless in extra innings of the ALDS. It’s not exactly clear who initiated the altercation, but when the camera pans to Donaldson and you see him drop three straight F-Bombs, it’s clear that he means business. Additional points awarded to Donaldson for causing the benches to clear..IN EXTRA INNINGS OF THE ALDS!!

• Altercation in extra innings of the ALDS (+20 points)
• Three straight F-Bombs on national TV (+10 points)
• Benches clear (+5 points)

35 B.O.P. points

 

1. April 8, 2014 - Donaldson vs. Glen Perkins

 

 

As you probably would have guessed, the number one Josh Donaldson altercation is his 2014 scuffle with Glen Perkins. This occurred in Donaldson’s second full season in the big leagues in extra innings of an April game at Target Field. This altercation earns bonus points for occurring against the Minnesota Twins, but additionally the quotes after the game were pretty great. Donaldson said of Perkins, “I hear him barking at me, and I look up and he says something and he gives me like a little finger or whatever. Not the finger; (more) like a little point”. He continues to say, “It was loud because the crowd was going at it, but I could tell he was dropping some f-bombs on me.” Just incredible stuff. The fact that now Donaldson has brought things full circle and has joined the Minnesota Twins, just makes this all the better.

 

• Altercation involving the Minnesota Twins (+20 points)
• Donaldson’s postgame quotes (+20 points)
• Donaldson joining the Twins 6 years later and making up with Perkins (+50 points)

90 B.O.P. points

 

Outside of being an outstanding hitter and fielder, Donaldson ignites excitement through his competitiveness and love of the game. What is your favorite Donaldson altercation from his career? What do you think his grit and passion will add to the Minnesota Twins in 2020? Leave a comment below and start the conversation!

 

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[h2oface]

Funny stuff. But.......

 

5. September 20, 2016 - Donaldson vs. Umpire

Arguing a pitch that the umpire correctly called a ball (-2 points)

 

How does a guy strike out on a called third strike (that was a ball incorrectly called a strike according to the pitch f/x) if the umpire called it a ball?....... which he didn't. Hence, the called third strike.

 

Am I missing something, here?

[Doctor Gast]

I love Donaldson`s passion, his enthusiasm, his swagger; I love it when a manager stick up for his players (it`s crucial) but I think it`s wise for a player to show restraint especially when he`s in the wrong. Only exception is when a pitcher intentionally goes after a hitter then I think the whole bench should come out. Most cases it`s the manager responsibility to dispute any calls. I`m sorry I`m not familiar w/ any of Donaldson`s spats but If any occasion that a pitcher went after him that would be my favorite

[Matthew Taylor]

Funny stuff. But.......

 

5. September 20, 2016 - Donaldson vs. Umpire

Arguing a pitch that the umpire correctly called a ball (-2 points)

 

How does a guy strike out on a called third strike (that was a ball incorrectly called a strike according to the pitch f/x) if the umpire called it a ball?....... which he didn't. Hence, the called third strike.

 

Am I missing something, here?

 

Not missing anything! Just a mistake. Thanks for pointing out..it’s been fixed!

[Sssuperdave]

So, I'm sure I'll be in the minority here, but these videos make me more concerned than excited. I can understand altercations over HBP, because that can cause injury, but only one of these involves an HBP. The ones with Kela and Perkins in particular are over nothing but words. I'm sure Kela and Perkins bear some responsibility, but the common denominator here is Donaldson. You don't see other players losing their cool over nothing but words over and over again. Where most of you see competitive fire and passion, I see behavior that is thin-skinned and immature.

 

When I combine these videos with the fact that this is already Donaldson's fifth team, it causes concern for me. I hear so much about chemistry and clubhouse leadership... is Donaldson going to be a positive influence or a negative one?

[Matthew Taylor]

So, I'm sure I'll be in the minority here, but these videos make me more concerned than excited. I can understand altercations over HBP, because that can cause injury, but only one of these involves an HBP. The ones with Kela and Perkins in particular are over nothing but words. I'm sure Kela and Perkins bear some responsibility, but the common denominator here is Donaldson. You don't see other players losing their cool over nothing but words over and over again. Where most of you see competitive fire and passion, I see behavior that is thin-skinned and immature.

 

When I combine these videos with the fact that this is already Donaldson's fifth team, it causes concern for me. I hear so much about chemistry and clubhouse leadership... is Donaldson going to be a positive influence or a negative one?

 

It’s an excellent point and something that was an intended point of the article without explicitly being stated. You could very much argue that these videos are pretty discouraging about Donaldson or, for a fan base that forever complained about the lack of fire in Joe Mauer, it could be something really exciting. I tend to look at this stuff as a positive, but can’t blame anyone who is made nervous by this.

[USAFChief]

 

 

  is Donaldson going to be a positive influence or a negative one?

 

...

 

 

wait for it...

 

 

...

 

 

"yes."

[wabene]

...

 

 

wait for it...

 

 

...

The Ying and Yang of Chief

 

 

"yes."

[wabene]

I just think back to Pierzinski and how it was said you only liked him if he was on your team. Personally I liked him very much and he was a hilarious contrast to the guy who replaced him. Sad to see him go.

[Post-Concussive Blues]

This is great, but I think you missed my favorite:

 

Josh Donaldson vs. his own manager, John Gibbons:

https://youtu.be/99dhn2K0bcQ

 

The incident isn’t amazing, but the after game interview is awesome:

https://youtu.be/H2VY2xRUGuM

[goulik]

 

So, I'm sure I'll be in the minority here, but these videos make me more concerned than excited. I can understand altercations over HBP, because that can cause injury, but only one of these involves an HBP. The ones with Kela and Perkins in particular are over nothing but words. I'm sure Kela and Perkins bear some responsibility, but the common denominator here is Donaldson. You don't see other players losing their cool over nothing but words over and over again. Where most of you see competitive fire and passion, I see behavior that is thin-skinned and immature.

 

When I combine these videos with the fact that this is already Donaldson's fifth team, it causes concern for me. I hear so much about chemistry and clubhouse leadership... is Donaldson going to be a positive influence or a negative one?

That was also my first thought but to be fair, the one with Machado is more on Machado than Donaldson IMHO. It is apparent that Donaldson is a hot head.... Uh..... I mean passionate. I hope maturity has helped him reign this in to the point of being a positive thing at this point in his career.

[Dave The Dastardly]

I'm old enough to remember a time when cool headedness, gracious sportsmanship and civility were admired traits. Now trash-talking, belligerent temperaments, name-calling and boorish behavior have filtered upwards through our society.

 

Sad.

[jmlease1]

The Machado one is easily the funniest. Manny is clearly pissed off because he thinks Donaldson made him look bad and Donaldson doesn't even notice anything until Manny gets up and starts barking because he immediately turned his attention to the runner at 1B. It was a smart, heads up play by Donaldson and Machado looks like a fool bitching about it.

[Matthew Taylor]

 

This is great, but I think you missed my favorite:

Josh Donaldson vs. his own manager, John Gibbons:
https://youtu.be/99dhn2K0bcQ

The incident isn’t amazing, but the after game interview is awesome:
https://youtu.be/H2VY2xRUGuM

 

Thanks for the additions!

[jkcarew]

 

I'm old enough to remember a time when cool headedness, gracious sportsmanship and civility were admired traits. Now trash-talking, belligerent temperaments, name-calling and boorish behavior have filtered upwards through our society.

 

Sad.

You mean like in the day's of Ty Cobb?

 

If I'm trying to win, I'll take a measure of acid with the sugar...while absolutely acknowledging that it can go south just as easily.

[jkcarew]

 

I just think back to Pierzinski and how it was said you only liked him if he was on your team. Personally I liked him very much and he was a hilarious contrast to the guy who replaced him. Sad to see him go.

So, you're comparing him to A.J, huh? Good call, IMO.

 

Come to think of it, the last time the Twins won a playoff series, Pierzinski was there...and played a HUGE role.

 

Just say'in.

[jimbo92107]

I do not subscribe to the belief that a baseball team needs chippy players to win playoff games. The 2020 Twins squad will include several young, impressionable players that do not need lessons in emotional maturity from Josh Donaldson. 

 

That said, some of these clips were hilarious. Note that in all cases, Donaldson (and his opponent) had somebody, usually several persons between them, making a real fistfight very unlikely. I can't imagine a hockey player watching this action without laughing. 

[Minfidel]

You talking to me?

 

[3balls2strikes]

Donaldson will help Twins win with his bat, his glove, but mostly as a fire starter. Aggression, adrenaline and emotion improve athletic performance and help teams win games. This is the very reason the Twins improved when Tori Hunter returned and when Dozier took a leadership role. When a team has a leader with the passion of milk toast (everyone knows who I mean), the team goes nowhere. Donaldson's passion and fire will be the biggest benefit to the Twins that he will provide. Fortune favors the BOLD!

[Shane Wahl]

I triple f-bomb love this article.

[KFEY93]

 

This is great, but I think you missed my favorite:

Josh Donaldson vs. his own manager, John Gibbons:
https://youtu.be/99dhn2K0bcQ

The incident isn’t amazing, but the after game interview is awesome:
https://youtu.be/H2VY2xRUGuM

Lol that is fantastic 

[h2oface]

For benches to clear, and the childish BS that ensues, is the most ridiculous part of the game, and always has been. It is way past time for MLB to make a rule with suspension attached, for any player that comes out of the dugout or bullpen, just like the NBA has done for anyone coming off the bench in any altercation. Time to grow up MLB. 

 

I, for one, do not have a problem with players being vocal about things that happen in play. I don't see it as a problem. The problem is always the childish chest pumping and postering like it should be something that one should get in a physical fight about. To come off the bench, out of the dugout or bullpen, when what has happened on the field has nothing to do with you, is really just ridiculous.

 

Let Donaldson talk. Nothing wrong with that. No big deal. Other than arguing balls and strikes, I don't see a single rule that he broke to incite all the shoolyard shenanigans. 

[etwink]

Nice review Matt.  The Twins haven’t had players who would push back since AJ and Torii.  One of the reasons, stated here many times over the years, that the Twins couldn’t win big games is that the Twins have been too nice, too passive and willing to just take a beat-down (and lacked big time pitchers too often...but anyway).  Donaldson will hopefully help to change that a bit.  If you are going to win, sometimes you just have to want it more.  Simple enough.

 

The hand-wringing comments above have me a bit bemused though.  Josh has played more than 1000 games and people seem to be biting their nails over a few confrontations like we’ve just signed a monster.  AJ was a jerk, pure and simple.  However, Donaldson comes across as extremely competitive and emotional.  I’ve been watching baseball for years and I’ve never thought of him as a jerk.

 

The Gibbons video, to me, looks like a manager without emotional intelligence; sure, Donaldson threw his bat, but clearly just needed to vent and was calm and passive after that....why poke the bear and get in Donaldson’s face?  Silly.  Besides, people get older and more mature as well.

[VivaBomboRivera!]

Baseball Reference says the altercation with Perkins took place on 9 Apr 2014...?  Burton gave up a 3R HR in the 11th for a 7 - 4 loss.

[Darius]

I'm old enough to remember a time when cool headedness, gracious sportsmanship and civility were admired traits. Now trash-talking, belligerent temperaments, name-calling and boorish behavior have filtered upwards through our society.

 

Sad.

This is a joke right? Because there was way more of this of this in game years ago.

 

You think it’s more honorable to throw at someone’s head and literally risk their life like they used to do back then?

 

I think you’re suffering from some sort of Mandela effect because you’d like to think your generation is superior. Really, the opposite is true.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

This is a joke right? Because there was way more of this of this in game years ago.

 

You think it’s more honorable to throw at someone’s head and literally risk their life like they used to do back then?

 

I think you’re suffering from some sort of Mandela effect because you’d like to think your generation is superior. Really, the opposite is true.

Pretty sure throwing at someone's head is the epitomy of boorish behavior, but i could be wrong.

 

And i am tickled by the thought of a whole generation of Daves the Dastardly.

 

As for joking? That is a distinct possibilty. If he is, i admire him for being able to keep a straight face.

[Dave The Dastardly]

 

This is a joke right? Because there was way more of this of this in game years ago.

You think it’s more honorable to throw at someone’s head and literally risk their life like they used to do back then?

I think you’re suffering from some sort of Mandela effect because you’d like to think your generation is superior. Really, the opposite is true.

I rest my case.

[USAFChief]

This is a joke right? Because there was way more of this of this in game years ago.

 

You think it’s more honorable to throw at someone’s head and literally risk their life like they used to do back then?

 

I think you’re suffering from some sort of Mandela effect because you’d like to think your generation is superior. Really, the opposite is true.

There was never a time when throwing at someone's head was common or acceptable.

 

By the way, by "the opposite is true," I take it to mean you believe YOUR generation is superior?

[sampleSizeOfOne]

There was never a time when throwing at someone's head was common or acceptable.

 

...

 

 

Snowball fights?