Chicago White Sox Suspend Chris Sale for Five Games

The bizarre saga of Chris Sale and his disdain for the Chicago White Sox throwback jerseys continues, as the team has suspended him for five games.

Yesterday, when the Chicago White Sox announced that Chris Sale was scratched from his start, there was a great deal of speculation as to what was happening. It was thought that Sale was traded, following the different rumors to the contrary. The only question was what the White Sox would receive as compensation.

Then we found out what actually happened. The White Sox had decided to wear their throwback uniforms yesterday, which Sale finds uncomfortable and had repetitively asked the team not to wear during his starts. After finding out those uniforms were being used, he accused the team of caring more about marketing than winning, and shredded each of the uniforms, leading to his being sent home. Sounds like my six year old daughter when I tell her that she needs to wear jeans for walks in the woods.

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Now, after spending the night thinking it over, the White Sox have announced their punishment. In exchange for shredding a bunch of shirts like a baseballing Hulk Hogan, the White Sox ace has been suspended for five games. Essentially, he just gets a start off, and will be back in the rotation for his next scheduled turn. There has yet to be any announcement of whether or not that punishment will be compounded by forcing him to deal with the throwbacks in his next outing.

This is just the latest in what has been a fairly contentious year between Sale and the White Sox front office. He was outspoken in his support for Adam LaRoche after his teammate retired when the team stated that he would no longer be able to bring his son, Drake, into the clubhouse. This incident is another sign that the relationship between Sale and the team is fractured.

Although Sale has said that he does not wish to be traded from the White Sox, one has to wonder if these incidents are chipping away at that resolve. Chicago could certainly get quite the haul if Sale was put on the block, and at this point, it may be best for both sides to have such a move take place.

Next: Twins not inclined to trade Ervin Santana

For shredding the Chicago White Sox throwback uniforms, Chris Sale has been suspended five games. However, the damage done between the relationship between the front office and their ace starter may last much longer.