Tuscaloosa-Native Tim Anderson Makes His Voice Heard

As professional athletes from around the United States continue to speak out after the tragedy in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Tuscaloosa’s own Tim Anderson added his voice to the conversation. On the date of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, Anderson took to social media to share the video of the incident and immediately condemn the actions of the officers present at the time of Floyd’s death.

Anderson is the only African-American that plays for the Chicago White-Sox and only 7.7% of the MLB is made up of African-American players.  But the shortstop has seemed to have found an ally in teammate, Lucas Giolito. On May 30th, Giolito released a statement to social media on the current tensions in the news and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. According to ESPN, Anderson and Giolito have had multiple open discussions about their upbringings throughout their time as teammates.

While discourse on race is at an all-time high, the sports world tries to restart itself after a three-month hiatus. The MLB, in conversations with its owners and players, is struggling to get a deal done that would bring baseball back in 2020. On June 3rd, the MLB rejected a return-to-play proposal and decided not to send another counter-offer. In response, the Chicago White-Sox’s Tim Anderson, posted a reply to the news, criticizing the commissioner of the MLB, Rob Manfred.

Tim Anderson was the 17th pick in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft. In 2014-2015 Anderson saw legitimate playing time with the Birmingham Barons prior to being called up to the big leagues in his 2016 season. Shortly before his next season, in 2017, Anderson signed a six-year contract for $25 million and in 2019 he earned the American League batting title.

Anderson played both baseball and basketball while at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa. Though an injury kept him from the baseball diamond until his junior season, Anderson was a part of Hillcrest’s 2011 state championship basketball team. After graduating with no offers to continue his baseball career in college, he would enroll and get to play at East Central Community College in Decatur, Mississippi. His first season was lackluster, however, as a sophomore, Anderson lead all junior college players in batting average with .495 and was a NJCAA All-American.