What would you do to an employee who didn’t like your company’s new dress code, so he cut up everyone’s shirts so no one could wear them?
And what if that person was also your best employee, and one of your highest-paid?
The Chicago White Sox faced just such a dilemma Saturday, in one of the more bizarre clubhouse incidents in baseball history.
Chris Sale, the team’s ace pitcher who’s making $9.15 million this season, was suspended for five games Sunday after reportedly slashing the team’s throwback uniforms before Saturday’s game.
The White Sox had planned on wearing 1976 throwback uniforms featuring collars — widely considered to be among the ugliest uniforms in professional sports history. Sale reportedly objected, saying the uniforms would be uncomfortable to wear on a hot and humid night, and complaining that the team was putting “PR and jersey sales” above winning. So he cut up a number of jerseys with a knife — forcing the team to switch at the last-minute to non-collared 1983 throwback jerseys.
Sale, who was scheduled to pitch, was yanked from the lineup and sent home.
“Chris has been suspended for violating team rules, for insubordination and for destroying team equipment,” said Rick Hahn, the White Sox’s general manager, in a statement Sunday. “While we all appreciate Chris’ talent and passion, there is a correct way and an incorrect way to express concerns about team rules and organizational expectations.”
Sale, a five-time All-Star, is 14-3 this season with a 3.18 ERA. Last season, he led the league in strikeouts. The White Sox have floundered in the standings this season, and Sale’s name has been the subject of numerous trade rumors in recent weeks.
Earlier this season, Sale was one of the leaders of a short-lived player revolt after the team told veteran first baseman Adam LaRoche to stop bringing his teenage son to the locker room every day.
Sale’s antics Saturday quickly became a source of amusement around baseball.
Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez had a unique solution that he told to Denver Post baseball writer Nick Groke: You don’t like the uniform? Play shirtless!
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