Sale suspended after fashion statement
CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox suspended pitcher Chris Sale for five days.
“Chris has been suspended for violating team rules, for insubordination and for destroying team equipment,” Rick Hahn, White Sox senior vice president/general manager, said in a statement Sunday. “While we all appreciate Chris’ talent and passion, there is a correct way and an incorrect way to express concerns about team rules and organizational expectations.”
Before Saturday’s game, Sale reportedly destroyed some of the team’s 1976 throwback uniforms players were scheduled to wear in conjunction with a promotional giveaway at the park.
White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Sunday morning he hadn’t talked to Sale since the pitcher was asked to leave the stadium Saturday and referred questions about whether Sale will be disciplined or suspended to Hahn, who said Sale is eligible to return Thursday against the Cubs. Hahn wouldn’t say whether Sale would pitch that game.
Ventura also said he doesn’t think the incident will have an impact on whether the team will trade him. The trading deadline is Aug. 1.
“We knew he wasn’t gonna throw today and I don’t expect him to be here today,” Ventura said.
“It’s something that you deal with. We’re gonna deal with that internally and we’ll officially discuss that when he gets back here at some point.”
Ventura said Sale won’t start the first game of Monday’s two-game series at U.S. Cellular Field against the Cubs, but left open the possibility he could pitch against the Cubs next week, either at home or at Wrigley Field on Wednesday or Thursday.
Ventura also said it’s possible Sale will have to mend some fences when he returns. “It’s nothing that can’t be smoothed over,” Ventura said.
“This is not the first [incident]. He has the ability to come back here and pitch and carry on.”
Last season, Sale attempted to gain entrance into the Royals locker room after his ejection after a brawl between the teams. He also left before a game near the end of 2014 after a shouting match with Ventura.
Third baseman Todd Frazier didn’t directly address Sale’s latest situation, but said he has seen his fair share of odd things during his career.
“It’s crazy,” he said. “You talk to umpires during games and stuff and it’s like you think you’ve see it all, baseball-wise. It’s tough to talk about. It’s just something different.”
James Shields called Sale one of the best teammates he’s had and called him a leader and a team player.
He also declined to address Sale’s situation directly.
“I’ve seen a lot of crazy things happen in the game, but sometimes emotions get the best of us,” he said. “Sometimes these things happen. We just gotta move forward as a group and regroup ... ”
Ventura said starting pitchers typically are allowed to choose which uniforms the team wears on days they start, there are exceptions, such as promotional days.
“Everybody wears a uniform that they don’t necessarily like, but you wear it,” Ventura said. “If you want to rip it after, you can rip it up after. I’ve seen guys rip it up after.”