White Sox Ace Sale To Start Thursday At Cubs
JAY COHEN, AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO (AP) — White Sox ace Chris Sale told MLB.com on Monday he got upset with the team when he felt it placed more emphasis on a promotion than winning.
Sale will start Thursday against the crosstown Cubs in his first appearance since the ace left-hander was punished by the team for destroying collared throwback uniforms it was scheduled to wear.
"I'm going to show up on Thursday and do what I've always done. That's get ready to play baseball and put everything I got into winning that game," Sale told the website . "I know my teammates are, too. So that's all that matters to me. It's unfortunate it got to this point."
Speaking before Monday night's 5-4 victory over the Cubs, manager Robin Ventura said he doesn't think he needs to meet with Sale before the outing at Wrigley Field.
"Not necessarily. He's going to pitch," Ventura said. "That's what he does."
The 27-year-old Sale was scratched from his scheduled start Saturday night against Detroit and sent home after he cut up an unknown number of jerseys before the game. The 1976-style jerseys were navy and sported unusual collars on a hot and humid night. Sale called the uniforms "uncomfortable and unorthodox."
"When I saw that there was something in the way of that 100 percent winning mentality, I had an issue," Sale said in the interview with MLB.com. "I tried to bring it up and say, 'Hey listen, these are my thoughts and concerns,' and they got pushed away because of the business deal that was set in place. I'll never understand why we need to do something on the business side on the field that might impede us winning a game."
The suspension cost Sale $250,000 of his $9.15 million salary. He also was fined about $12,700 — the cost of the destroyed jerseys — according to a person familiar with the penalty. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized.
"Robin is the one who has to fight for us in that department," Sale said. "If the players don't feel comfortable 100 percent about what we are doing to win the game, and we have an easy fix — it was as easy as hanging up another jersey and everyone was fine. For them to put business first over winning, that's when I lost it."
Sale apologized to fans that went to Saturday's game to see him pitch, but stood by his decision to protest the throwback jerseys.
"I have regret, because I play 33 times a year at most in the regular season. So I put a lot of emphasis on when I play and I take a lot of pride in work that I do," Sale said. "When I can't or don't do that, yeah, I have disappointment in myself for not being there for my guys.
"Do I regret standing up for what I believe in? Absolutely not. Do I regret saying business should not be first before winning? Absolutely not."
Sale is 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA this year. There is a possibility he could be traded before the Aug. 1 non-waiver deadline, but Sale told MLB.com he doesn't want to be dealt. It would take quite an offer to get the White Sox to move him.
Ventura also announced that right-hander Anthony Ranaudo, who was promoted from Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday to take Sale's spot on the roster, will start Wednesday against the Cubs. Right-hander Jacob Turner, who allowed four runs and five hits in 3 1/3 innings in his last start Friday against Detroit, will move to the bullpen.
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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum and AP freelance reporter Mike Cranston contributed to this report.
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Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap
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