Sale savors his belly laugh
Reporters buy into joke about why he missed start
BOSTON — Red Sox ace Chris Sale, speaking for the first time since he was hospitalized with a stomach ailment, divulged what actually happened that forced him to miss a start in the American League Championship Series.
“I had an irritation from a belly-button ring that I kind of constantly was pulling in and out,’’ Sale said Saturday. “It caused an irritation, a rash down there, so I had to take care of that. The doctors and nurses at MGH [Massachusetts General Hospital] were awesome.
“Things happen. You handle them and keep moving forward.’’
Sale, speaking in front of about 20 reporters and cameramen, never cracked a smile. Never winked. Nothing. He looked dead serious.
It was reported that way, too, much to the delight of Sale, the ultimate prankster.
Sale confided to several teammates that he was going to tell his tale and see if he could fool the media into buying it. Mission accomplished.
“He told me that he was going to say that,’’ one Red Sox player told USA Today Sports, “but I didn’t believe him.’’
The player spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect Sale’s joke.
Sale has dealt with an inflamed shoulder, which sidelined him for all but 17 innings the final two months of the season.
Yet, after missing his Game 5 start against the Astros, Sale said he now feels fine, throwing a bullpen session Saturday with no discomfort.
“I feel back to normal,’’ said Sale, who walked four batters in four innings with decreased velocity in his Game 1 loss to the Astros.
Sale will pitch Game 1 of the World Series, Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed, making the first World Series start of his career.
“It’s going to be awesome,’’ Sale said. “I’m excited for it. It’s a dream. This is what we worked hard for all year, to have an opportunity to play in the World Series. That’s what we talked about all year from Day 1.
“We’re all excited. Now we have a chance to win the last game of the year, and that’s about as exciting as it gets.
“We’re going to grind like hell and give them everything we’ve got.’’
Belly-button ring and all.