White Sox pitcher Chris Sale was involved in a bizarre incident in which he cut up his team’s throwback uniforms because he didn’t like them, said SB Nation. The incident led to Sale being a late scratch from the July 23 game, says CBC.
SB Nation says Sale sliced up the uniforms because he thought they were uncomfortable, and he was subsequently sent home.
Not a joke: Source says Sale blowup was because he didn’t want to wear throwbacks, so he cut the jerseys up so no one could wear them.
— Tommy Stokke (@StokkeTommy) July 23, 2016
The Chicago Tribune said the uniform cutting explanation initially came from Ken Rosenthal, an MLB reporter for FOX. He tweeted that “Sale was unhappy with the 1976 throwback uniforms the team was supposed to wear, saying they were uncomfortable,” said The Chicago Tribune. Initially, there were rumors that Sale was scratched from the game because of a trade or “flu-like symptoms.” See Rosenthal’s Tweets on the incident:
Sources say: Sale cut up throwbacks during batting practice. Upset that, in his view, PR and jersey sales were more important than winning.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 24, 2016
“1976 navy blue throwback jerseys” were on #WhiteSox promotional schedule all year. Tied to giveaway. Team also wore similar once last year.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 24, 2016
Source: “Sale asked that they not wear (throwbacks) on his day because they are uncomfortable. Things escalated when they wouldn’t relent.”
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 24, 2016
Second source confirms throwbacks as source of Sale incident. He did not want to wear them, deal with discomfort during game.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 24, 2016
According to ESPN, Sale cut up “the 1976 throwbacks during batting practice so they couldn’t be worn.” In addition to being upset about the comfort level of the jerseys, “Sale also thought the White Sox were putting ‘PR and jersey sales’ ahead of winning,” said ESPN, citing Fox Sports. The Chicago Tribune says the White Sox ended up wearing the 1983 throwback uniforms instead.
One fan was just disappointed there wasn’t video of the uniform cutting.
I need a video of Chris Sale’s temper tantrum so bad😂
— Nathan Boyle (@Nb_b15) July 24, 2016
ESPN said White Sox general manager Rick Hahn gave a cryptic statement on the Sale matter, saying only that: “Chris Sale has been scratched from tonight’s scheduled start and sent home from the ballpark by the White Sox due to a clubhouse incident before the game. The incident, which was non-physical in nature, currently is under further investigation by the club. The White Sox will have no additional comment until the investigation is completed.”
See the full statement here:
The 6-foot 6-inch tall Sale is 27-years-old, from Florida, and the White Sox drafted him in the 1st round of the 2010 amateur draft.
Not surprisingly, the Internet went to town. Here are the best memes, photos, videos, and jokes shared in the Chris Sales’ uniform cutting drama. Several people had the same idea: Crying Jordan.
Some people couldn’t resist the easy jokes:
Chris Sale is like the crazy chick your Mom warned you about
— Dave Heiss (@RealDaveHeiss) July 24, 2016
maybe chris sale just wanted to make those knotted-up-the-side shirts like the cheerleaders always did in high school. we don’t know.
— travis sarandos (@travis_mke) July 24, 2016
This Chris Sale nonsense is cracking me up. A grown man CUT UP the ENTIRE team’s jerseys, because he thought they were uncomfortable. #dying
— Jessamine Greer (@JessamineGreer) July 24, 2016
Chris Sale incident reminds me of the time I cut all my ethernet cords in half just to avoid doing a show with @TheSeigeDFS
— Peter Christensen (@draftcheat) July 24, 2016
All the scouts talk about Chris Sale’s fastball and slider and changeup, and it turns out the thing that gets him in trouble was a cutter.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 24, 2016
Chris Sale just took Cut or Uncut to a whole other level
— Tim and Sid (@timandsid) July 24, 2016
@StinkinGenius1 Imagine Chris Sale as a Diamondback? They have twenty different throwback jerseys. He might get scratched every start.
— Frank Ojeda (@UclaDodgerFrank) July 24, 2016
I don’t know why everybody’s so surprised about this Chris Sale thing. He’s always been a funny guy. A real clubhouse cut-up.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) July 24, 2016
No matter how you slice it, this will be Chris Sale’s legacy.
— John Harte (@jhdps) July 24, 2016
I think all the criticism #ChrisSale is about to get is unfair. What 27-yr old hasn’t destroyed everyone’s clothes at work? #WhiteSox #MLB
— Brian VanAcker (@BrianVanAcker1) July 24, 2016
Chris Sale should have handled it differently. Bonfire in the parking lot would’ve been more appropriate. #MLB #ChrisSale
— TedInJest (@TedInJest) July 24, 2016
Chris Sale made sure the jerseys for tonight’s game were half off.
— The Fake ESPN (@TheFakeESPN) July 24, 2016
Everybody’s giving Chris Sale shit, but I understand him. Wouldn’t you be mad if you had to wear anything with white socks?
— Warren G. (@warren_ohio) July 24, 2016
Jessica McBride is a Heavy contributor. She was a crime, government, and breaking news reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and reporter for the Waukesha Freeman newspaper. Her award-winning work has appeared in numerous magazine, newspaper, and online publications. She has also appeared as a crime reporter on Investigation Discovery Channel, History Channel, and Oxygen Channel. She can be reached by email at jessica.mcbride@heavy.com.July 24, 2016 12:01 am
powered by sue.ng a legal search engine