Waterloo Region Record

Ace Sale to sit for destroying uniforms

- Andrew Seligman and Ronald Blum

The Chicago White Sox suspended ace Chris Sale five days without pay for destroying collared throwback uniforms the American League baseball team was scheduled to wear.

The White Sox announced the punishment on Sunday after Sale was scratched from his scheduled start and sent home the previous night.

The suspension comes to $250,000 of his $9.15-million US salary. He was also fined about $12,700 — the cost of the destroyed jerseys — according to a person familiar with the penalty.

“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’s perspectiv­e,” GM Rick Hahn said.

Sale is eligible to return Thursday against the crosstown Cubs at Wrigley Field, though Hahn would not say if the lefthander would start that game.

The Major League Baseball Players Associatio­n declined comment, spokespers­on Greg Bouris said. Sale could ask the union to file a grievance.

FanRag Sports first reported Sale was protesting the 1976style jerseys, which were navy and sported unusual collars on a hot and humid night.

Sale then cut up an unknown number of jerseys before the game and was told to leave the stadium. With not enough usable 1976 jerseys available, the White Sox wore white throwback uniforms from the 1983 season.

The incident comes with the White Sox in a tailspin after a 23-10 start and Sale’s name circulatin­g in trade rumours.

“The actions or behaviours of the last 24 hours do not change in any aspect, any respect, our belief that Chris Sale can help this club win a championsh­ip and win multiple championsh­ips,” Hahn said.

This wasn’t the first flare-up involving 27-year-old Sale, who is known for his competitiv­e streak and strict training regimen.

He was openly critical of team executive Ken Williams during spring training when he said Drake LaRoche, the son of teammate Adam LaRoche, would no longer be allowed in the clubhouse. Adam LaRoche retired as a result, and Sale hung the LaRoches’ jerseys in his locker.

He was also suspended five games by Major League Baseball last season for his role in a brawl at Kansas City that started with a flare-up between teammate Adam Eaton and the Royals’ Yordano Ventura. Sale went to the Royals clubhouse after he got tossed and was seen pounding on the door.

 ?? ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO ?? Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale destroyed collared throwback uniforms the American League team was scheduled to wear.
ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale destroyed collared throwback uniforms the American League team was scheduled to wear.

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