Reports: Chris Sale Blew Up In Clubhouse Because He Didn't Want To Wear Throwback Uniform
DETROIT (CBS Detroit/AP) -- Reports are surfacing with details about why Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale was scratched from his scheduled start against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday and sent home by the team.
According to multiple reports, Sale was unhappy that the team was going to wear its throwback uniforms and reportedly started to deface the uniform before the game.
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
Chris Sale incident stemmed at least in part from his protest to use of throwback jerseys, sources confirm. @StokkeTommy first to report.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) 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
Verducci just said on @FS1 telecast that what Sale did is insubordination. Part of Uniform Player Contract. He does not set workplace rules.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 24, 2016
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
Yup, it's true. Chris Sale got sent home by White Sox for cutting up a jersey he didn't want to wear. Source confirms @StokkeTommy report.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 24, 2016
Chris Sale isn't a fan of the 1976 Chicago White Sox throwbacks, so he cut all of them up. https://t.co/fBAkBjmzTY pic.twitter.com/Jfhkp4fZKp
— Chris Creamer (@sportslogosnet) July 24, 2016
Tommy Stokke of Today's Knuckleball reports that Sale "cut every jersey up," forcing the team to go with another throwback option during Saturday's game.
Stokke's report says that Sale then went up the the front office and "created a scene."
"The incident, which was non-physical in nature, currently is under further investigation by the club," general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. "The White Sox will have no additional comment until the investigation is completed."
The White Sox clubhouse was open to reporters for only 20 minutes before it was closed for a team meeting before the game. Manager Robin Ventura did not discuss the incident later in his pregame availability.
Sale had been shown as the starter on the scoreboard until about 15 minutes before the scheduled first pitch, which was delayed 10 minutes by rain.
With the White Sox fading from playoff contention, Sale's name has been mentioned as a possible trade target for contending teams.
The left-hander, 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA, has been outspoken in the past.
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