The White Sox sent him home, and subsequently suspended him five games for the outburst. Personalize SI with our new App.
Advertisement
Chris Sale, the team’s ace pitcher who’s making $9.15 million this season, was suspended for five games Sunday after reportedly slashing the team’s throwback uniforms before Saturday’s game.
It is being reported that Sale protested the 1976-style jerseys, which were navy and had unusual collars for a hot and humid night.
Earlier this season, Sale was one of the leaders of a short-lived player revolt after the team told veteran first baseman Adam LaRoche to stop bringing his teenage son to the locker room every day.
“Guys have seen a lot of stuff and it’s about playing”, Ventura said.
“Do I regret standing up for what I believe in?” I only get more passionate about it because I know that it’s not easy winning a championship.
Sale’s main focus in the interview was to express his desire to win, which he says was what sparked the eventual incident.
“If the players don’t feel comfortable 100% about what we are doing to win the game, and we have an easy fix – it was as easy as hanging up another jersey and everyone was fine”.
When those uniforms were scheduled for Saturday, Sale asked the clubhouse manager for a different uniform and then reiterated his stance to pitching coach Don Cooper.
“Sale felt the uniform would have impacted his performance, saying, “[The ’76 uniforms] are uncomfortable and unorthodox.
White Sox starters have a history of choosing game jerseys, but the throwback gear was tied to a giveaway on that day.
Chicago (48-50) collected a pair of wins Sunday after finishing Saturday’s suspended game with a 4-3 win.
“Really today, if he wasn’t able to go he probably would have gone on the DL”, Ventura said.”I think he’s still at the point if we can give him today it would be better. Looking bad had absolutely zero to do with it. Nothing”. There’s a lot that goes into it.
Sale is due to return from his suspension for a Thursday start against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Sale could otherwise be a model teammate, but that could be hard for Major League Baseball teams to get a grasp on at this point, especially when the best he has the offer as this point is “I have disappointment in myself”.
Ventura denied that he didn’t put winning first.
Advertisement
“Obviously we’re all extremely disappointed that we have to deal with this issue at this time both from the standpoint of the club as well as Chris’ perspective”, general manager Rick Hahn said. In fact, the majority of the statements from Sale’s teammates and coaches included in reports seem to shy away from saying anything overtly negative about Sale’s outburst, perhaps because he is a very strong team presence the White Sox can not afford to alienate before the playoff stretch.
