Sunday, July 24, 2016

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale benched after cutting up throwback uniforms before game

The Chicago White Sox scratched starting pitcher Chris Sale from a game against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night after he reportedly cut up the team's throwback uniforms before the game because he found them uncomfortable.


A statement released by Rick Hahn, the team's general manager, initially said that Sale was sent home from the ballpark because of a 'non-physical incident' in the clubhouse. But it was later revealed that the 5-time All-Star threw the bizarre tantrum after the team was forced to wear the White Sox's 1976 throwback uniforms for the game. 

Sale said he found the throwback uniforms to be uncomfortable and asked that they not have to wear them while he was on the mound, according to Fox Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal. 

Many at first speculated that Sale was a last-minute scratch from the game because the 27-year-old was down with an illness or was going to being traded. But things 'escalated' when management wouldn't relent on his wish to not wear the bulkier throwback and he turned the, let's be honest, fashion disasters all into irregulars.


Sale then reportedly got upset and cut up the uniforms during batting practice because he claimed that 'PR and jersey sales were more important than winning' and wanted to make sure nobody could wear them, a source told Rosenthal.



The 1976 navy blue and white throwback jerseys have been on the White Sox's promotional schedule all year and were tied to a giveaway during the game. The team wore the 1983 white, red and blue throwback unis instead. 


The temperamental Sale has had prior run-ins with the White Sox including calling out the team after Adam LaRoche quit when they asked LaRoche to scale back on bringing his 14-year-old son into the clubhouse.

Matt Albers started Saturday night's game in Sales' place after the uniform shredding. The game was suspended after the eighth inning following a lengthy rainy delay and will continue from the top off the ninth Sunday afternoon, with the series finale to follow after its completion. Manager Robin Ventura said Sale will not start the second game; Jose Quintana will stay on schedule and get the nod against the Tigers.

Hahn said that the incident involving Sale was being investigated by the club but you can bet the incident won't diminish interest from other teams in trading for the lanky left-hander.

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