Chris Sale just wants to win, the same cannot be said for the White Sox.
That was their ace’s sentiment in an interview with MLB.com in which he addressed why he cut up throwback uniforms before Saturday’s game which led to a five-game suspension.
“Our main focus should be winning,” Sale said. “Nothing else matters really.”
Sale was particularly upset with the uniforms because they were too large and uncomfortable to play in. He said many other players were not fans of the jerseys and the team was putting business ahead of winning.
“People don’t talk about the guys who get paid the most. They talk about the guys with the rings and teams that won rings,” Sale said. “Our guys in this clubhouse deserve, in every single game, the best opportunity to go achieve that goal of winning a championship. That’s why we are all here. Nothing else matters.”
Sale had expressed his displeasure with the uniforms the night before his start with the clubhouse attendant and White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper.
When there was no change in the uniform he addressed it with manager Robin Ventura and admitted that was when he lost it.
“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,” Sale said. “[The ’76 uniforms] are uncomfortable and unorthodox. I didn’t want to go out there and not be at the top of my game in every aspect that I need to be in. Not only that, but I didn’t want anything to alter my mechanics.”
Sale said he apologized to teammates on Monday and regrets putting himself in the situation.
“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 scheduled to take the mound again on Thursday against the Cubs.
