WHITE SOX HEADLINES OF JULY 25, 2016 “Sale suspended five days by White Sox” … Scott Merkin, MLB.com “White Sox get quick resolution on Eaton’s walk-off” … Jason Beck and Brian Hedger, MLB.com “White Sox walk-off on Tigers twice in 4 hours” … Jason Beck and Brian Hedger, MLB.com “Eaton leads way as White Sox show resiliency” … Brian Hedger, MLB.com “Quintana’s gem couldn’t come at better time” … Brian Hedger, MLB.com “Rodon heads to Charlotte for rehab start” … Brian Hedger, MLB.com “Gonzalez looks to continue hot July vs. Arrieta, Cubs” … Curt Hogg, MLB.com “MLB vets determine to make Elite Development Invitational succeed” … Zak Kerr, MLB.com “White Sox top Tigers with two walk-offs on Sunday” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Carlos Rodon set to make rehab start at Triple-A Charlotte” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Chris Sale’s suspension ‘does not move the needle’ regarding his value to White Sox” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Adam Eaton’s hit lifts White Sox to win over Tigers” … Dan Hayes, CSN Chicago “Ten years later, A.J. Pierzynski recalls Michael Barrett encounter in Crosstown Classic” … Chuck Garfien, CSN Chicago “Chris Sale suspended for five days by White Sox” … Staff, CSN Chicago “Ken Griffey Jr. finished his Hall of Fame speech in most fitting way thanks to Frank Thomas” … #WhiteSoxTalk, CSN Chicago “White Sox take two from Tigers on strange Sunday” … Paul Skrbina, Chicago Tribune “White Sox suspend Chris Sale five days for uniform outburst” … Paul Skrbina, Chicago Tribune “White Sox problems always more interesting than other teams’ problems” … Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune “Chris Sale needs to end petulance, but White Sox played part too” … David Haugh, Chicago Tribune “Just when you thought the White Sox season couldn’t become a bigger joke” … Steve Rosenbloom, Chicago Tribune “When Cubs play the White Sox, the underdog has the edge” … Chad Yoder, Chicago Tribune “White Sox reportedly left Seattle without leaving tips for clubhouse attendants” … Staff, Chicago Tribune “Hahn says Sox still high on volatile Sale, despite 5-game ban” … Toni Ginnetti, Chicago Sun-Times “White Sox recover from Robertson blown save to win twice” … Toni Ginnetti, Chicago Sun-Times “Sale’s teammates understated but supportive” … Toni Ginnetti, Chicago Sun-Times “White Sox suspend Chris Sale for five games” … Toni Ginnetti, Chicago Sun-Times “A kid’s game, yes, but no place for Chris Sale’s childish act” … Rick Morrissey, Chicago Sun-Times “Report: White Sox players didn’t pay clubhouse dues in Seattle” … Staff, Chicago Sun-Times “Chicago White Sox take two from Tigers” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald “Eaton, White Sox get pair of wins against Tigers” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald “Chicago White Sox’s Quintana shrugs off trade rumors” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald “Cutting to the chase: White Sox suspend Sale for 5 days” … Scot Gregor, Daily Herald “Rozner: White Sox’ Sale might consider growing up” … Barry Rozner, Daily Herald “Imrem: It’s remarkable more Chicago White Sox players don’t go goofy” … Mike Imrem, Daily Herald “Levine: clubhouse incident won’t hurt Chris Sale’s value on market” … Bruce Levine, CBS Chicago “Baffoe: Chris Sale is forever branded a baby” … Tim Baffoe, CBS Chicago “Spiegel: Petulant Chris Sale exposes White Sox dysfunction” … Mike Spiegel, CBS Chicago “White Sox suspend Chris Sale for 5 days” … Staff, CBS Chicago “How the White Sox almost landed Jake Arrieta” … Jon Greenberg, The Athletic

“White Sox suspend Chris Sale five days for ‘violating team rules, insubordination’” … Lauren Comitor, The Athletic “White Sox suspend Chris Sale for five days after clubhouse incident” … A.J. Perez, USA Today “Chicago White Sox suspends Chris Sale for ‘destroying team equipment’” … Melissa Chan, TIME “After uni controversy, can White Sox get Chris Sale to keep his shirt on?” … Christina Kahrl, ESPN “Sports teams poke fun at Chris Sale over jersey saga” … Rachel Marcus, ESPN “White Sox suspend Chris Sale five days” … Katie Strang, ESPN “Chicago White Sox score two walk-off wins over Tigers on same day” … Brett Smiley, FOXSports “White Sox players recently protested Mariners’ clubhouse dues policy” … Ken Rosenthal, FOXSports “Chicago White Sox suspend Chris Sale for 5 days” … Associated Press “White Sox take pair from Tigers” … Associated Press

Sale suspended five days by White Sox Left-hander penalized for ‘violating team rules, insubordination, destroying team equipment’ By Scott Merkin / MLB.com | July 24th, 2016

CHICAGO -- The White Sox have suspended pitcher Chris Sale for five days after concluding the club's investigation into a clubhouse incident prior to Saturday's game with the Detroit Tigers. This suspension, announced by the team Sunday morning and based solely on Saturday's actions, began Saturday and runs through Wednesday. Sale would be eligible to start Thursday night against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, but general manager Rick Hahn said that slot currently will be listed as TBA. Hahn spoke with Sale for 30 minutes Saturday following the incident, which a source told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi stemmed in part from Sale protesting the use of throwback jerseys, which was tied into a jersey giveaway for fans. The quote from Hahn on Sunday's press release referred to "violating team rules, insubordination and destroying team equipment" as the reasons for suspension, an organizational call in which Hahn had conversations with White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, executive vice president Ken Williams and Major League Baseball. A 10-minute conversation took place between Hahn and Sale on Sunday when the suspension was announced to Sale, who was not at U.S. Cellular Field. "Obviously we're all extremely disappointed that we have to deal with this issue at this time both from the standpoint of the club as well as Chris' perspective," said Hahn during his Sunday meeting with the media. "It's unfortunate that it has become this level of an issue and potential distraction taking away from what we're trying to accomplish on the field. "It was a reasoned decision based upon his action within in the clubhouse. Later in the day, when he and I sat down and talked face-to-face and he explained the rationale behind his actions, he understood at that time, because of his actions, there was going to be discipline." Sale (14-3) was supposed to start Saturday's game, suspended by rain after eight innings with the score tied at 3. Instead, he was sent home after the pregame incident in the home clubhouse. Sale, who also was fined an undisclosed amount, has been placed on Major League Baseball's suspended list. (The White Sox won, 4-3, when the suspended game resumed play on Sunday.) Back in Spring Training, Sale also was the focus of attention when he criticized Williams for limiting Drake LaRoche's clubhouse and on-field access that eventually connected to the retirement of Drake's father, Adam LaRoche. Sale also took issue with the team not bringing back Tyler Flowers -- the lone man to catch a Sale pitch in 2014 and '15 -- during the offseason, and he had a clear-the-air talk with Hahn by phone the day after the move. Sale had a clubhouse disagreement with manager Robin Ventura at the end of the 2014 season, in which he was sent home to cool down and then tried to get into the Royals' clubhouse in April of last season after a bench-clearing, on-field fracas. But Sale also is considered a consummate teammate and primarily the easy-going face of the franchise, attached to his Cy Young Award-caliber pitching. "I've known Chris for years," White Sox starting pitcher James Shields said. "Now that I've gotten to be his teammate, he's one of the better teammates I've been around. He's definitely a team player. He's a winner. He wants to take the ball every five days and win ballgames." "Part of what makes Chris great, part of what makes him elite, is his passion and commitment," Hahn said. "We've seen that sometimes spill out from between the white lines. Yesterday was one of those instances, and it unfortunately led to events that required discipline."

Hahn added that Saturday's actions and the ensuing suspension won't diminish the team's view of Sale's potential to help them win a championship or help them through a trade to another team. Hahn wouldn't discuss Sale trade interest as the non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches on Aug. 1, just as he wouldn't get into specifics of Saturday. But it's known that the White Sox are asking for a high premium return to even consider moving their ace-hurler under potential control through 2019 with team options. "Chris Sale can help this club win a championship and win multiple championships," Hahn said. "It does not move the needle one iota in terms of his value to this club, his value to any other club that may be interested in his services or the likelihood of him being moved or kept whatsoever. None of that stuff is impacted at all by these events." Hahn said that at no time during their conversations did Sale express a desire to leave the White Sox. As for whether Sale needs to apologize to his teammates or the fans, Hahn left that decision up to Sale. "In my opinion, this is an internal matter and how he chooses to reintegrate himself into the clubhouse is Chris's choice," Hahn said.

White Sox get quick resolution on Eaton’s walk-off

By Jason Beck and Brian Hedger / MLB.com | July 24th, 2016

CHICAGO -- Neither a suspended game, a taxed bullpen or a suspension of starter Chris Sale could prevent the White Sox from tormenting the Tigers. Adam Eaton's two-out single in the ninth inning scored Avisail Garcia, earning Chicago a 4-3 win over Detroit Sunday afternoon in a game that started Saturday night. White Sox closer David Robertson, who thwarted Detroit's eighth-inning threat before rain washed out Saturday night, came back to work the ninth on Sunday, stranding Ian Kinsler following his two-out bloop double. Garcia led off the bottom of the inning against lefty Justin Wilson with a chopper down the third-base line for a single, stole second when Jose Iglesias was late covering the bag, advanced on J.B. Shuck's groundout and scored on Eaton's grounder through the left side. Robertson (1-2) was the sixth White Sox pitcher of the game after Sale, the scheduled starter, was suspended for a clubhouse incident Saturday night. The game was delayed by rain three times Saturday prior to being suspended. "It was definitely good to get it over in one inning [Sunday]," Robertson said. "It seemed like a long time. That's what it seemed like, with the rain delays and everything, and coming back for a re-start. It seems like it's been a long 24 hours." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Tigers pitch to Eaton: Garcia's leadoff single and ensuing stolen base meant Detroit had a decision to make with the winning run in scoring position against Eaton, who was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts Saturday night but 14-for-36 (.389) off Tigers pitching this season. The Tigers opted to pitch to him rather than walk him and face rookie shortstop Tim Anderson. Wilson, who had held right-handed hitters to a .217 (18-for-83) average and 29 strikeouts, went to a full count on fastballs before Eaton turned on a 97-mph heater, sending a ground ball out of Iglesias' reach. Split decision: Robertson came up big for the White Sox on back-to-back days as part of the same game. After preserving a 3-3 tie by striking out Tyler Collins for the third out in the eighth Saturday night, the White Sox closer came back a day later and nixed another scoring threat in the ninth on Sunday. After giving up a bloop double by Kinsler with two outs, Robertson fanned Maybin for the third out. "Big, gut effort from him," Eaton said. "Being a closer like he is, he's used to throwing late at night, but not coming back midday the next day at [1 p.m.], so for him to bounce back and do what he did was tremendous."

Upton out to right: Upton hasn't done a ton of power hitting to the opposite field this season, but his sixth-inning solo homer went out on a line to right, skipping off the top of the fence and into the Tigers' bullpen. Statcast™ estimated Upton hit it out at 110 mph. Ice breaker: Garcia's home run in the fourth off Boyd gave the White Sox a 3-1 lead. The blast, which traveled an estimated 398 feet to left-center field, was his sixth of the season and ended a lengthy homer drought for the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Garcia. He hadn't hit one over the fence since May 28 in Kansas City, a span of 136 plate appearances. Garcia, who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, came into the game hitting .120 (3-for-25) in his last 10 games and .148 in his last 20. QUOTABLE "It's odd. I've been around odd ones. I don't know. I haven't put together an official ranking." -- Ventura, when asked whether the game was one of the strangest he'd been part of WHAT'S NEXT Tigers: Anibal Sanchez (5-11, 6.60 ERA) tries to build off the momentum of his quality start last outing as he takes the mound in Sunday's series finale. With forecasts calling for more hot, humid weather in hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field, he'll be pressed to keep the ball down. White Sox: Jose Quintana (8-8, 3.13) is scheduled to start the finale, which will be his 20th start this season and ninth at home. Quintana, who's won all three of his July outings, took the loss June 5 at Comerica Park in his first start against the Tigers this season.

White Sox walk-off on Tigers twice in 4 hours

By Jason Beck and Brian Hedger / MLB.com | July 24th, 2016

CHICAGO -- The White Sox began Sunday afternoon at risk of being swept in a four-game series against the Tigers. Instead, they ended the day with a series split thanks to two walk-off wins in a four-hour span. Melky Cabrera provided the latter with a single scoring Adam Eaton in the ninth, nullifying Detroit's three-homer rally in the top of the inning for a 5-4 White Sox win at U.S. Cellular Field. "Baseball is funny like that," Eaton said. "It will beat you down, but then it will build you back up. It's a love-hate relationship, for sure. To have two walk-off wins, especially to get two wins off a great opponent like Detroit, and for them to be walk-offs, is huge for us." After finishing their suspended game from Saturday night with a 4-3 victory on a walk-off single by Eaton, the White Sox picked up where they left off in the series finale but struggled to finish the job after 6 2/3 scoreless innings from Jose Quintana. Nick Castellanos, Tyler Collins and Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit ninth-inning solo homers -- the latter two pinch-hit drives -- off closer David Robertson to tie it, 4-4. The White Sox needed just three batters and seven pitches to come back and win it off Bruce Rondon (3-2). Eaton led off the ninth with a single and advanced to second on Tim Anderson's sacrifice bunt. Cabrera's single looked much like Eaton's earlier in the day, a ground ball through the left side. "Obviously the leadoff walk is the big thing," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "You can't let the first guy get on with a walk." Robertson (2-2) earned both wins on Sunday, albeit under vastly different circumstances, as he turned in a scoreless ninth in the conclusion of Saturday's game. "I don't deserve the second one," Robertson said. "Jose Quintana pitched his tail off again, and I went out there and screwed it all up. Three two-strike home runs is ridiculous. It's absurd that I pitched that poorly. I need to pick it up. Tough day for me, personally, but I'm really glad for the team. We needed those wins today."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Tiger tamer: After Eaton delivered the walk-off hit in the first game, he singled and scored in the first inning of the finale and then hit a three-run homer in the second. His big day shouldn't have come as a surprise. The White Sox right fielder entered Sunday hitting .338 for his career against Detroit (53-for-157). After going 3-for-7 with a home run and four RBIs in the final two games of this series, he's now hitting .425 against the Tigers this season (17-for-40) with two walk-off hits. "Even the way his foot's feeling, he just finds a way and continues to grind through it," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said of Eaton. "I know he's not 100 percent, but for us, you see what he can do when he's in there, even being injured and hobbling around." Off the bench, into the seats: Robertson had given up just three home runs all season before Castellanos' leadoff drive made it 4-2. After Robertson retired the next two batters, manager Brad Ausmus took his chance, bringing in Collins and Saltalamacchia to pinch-hit. Both were down to their last strike when they sent 1-2 pitches out to right field. It marked the first pair of pinch-hit homers in a game for the Tigers since Sept. 14, 2011, when Ryan Raburn and Alex Avila did it in this same ballpark. More > Helping hand: Quintana didn't need much help to get through his day scoreless, but got a key out in the seventh off a great running catch by J.B. Shuck in right-center field. Castellanos drove the ball deep to the gap on Quintana's 113th pitch, but Shuck chased it down to negate an extra-base hit. He made a lunging, backhanded snag on the warning track before slamming into the chain-link fencing of the right-field wall in front of the Tigers' bullpen. Upton, up and over: With a hot, humid afternoon and a breeze blowing out, Jose Abreu's third-inning loft looked like a second White Sox home run off Sanchez, convincing enough to set off the stadium fireworks. However, Justin Upton's reach over the fence kept the ball in for a highlight catch, his second such denial this season. "I thought I had plenty of room. It just kept carrying," Upton said. "When I got the wall, I kind of knew where I was and I had to jump." QUOTABLE "We've got a tight-knit group of guys that really want to fight for each other, and to get the big hit and have everybody rush out there, especially with what we've had the past couple days … really the whole year's been a roller-coaster, on and off the field. So, it's just nice to be able to get those guys out there and finish if off with a win." -- Eaton, on the dual walk-offs "It [stinks]. There's no way around it. We battled back both games but couldn't close it out." -- Castellanos, on two walk-off losses SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Robertson is the first Major League pitcher to earn two wins on the same day since Minnesota's Brian Duensing did it Aug. 9, 2013, against the White Sox. WHAT'S NEXT Tigers: The road trip continues with a three-game series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, opening with Justin Verlander (9-6, 3.74 ERA) on the mound Monday in a 7:10 p.m. ET start. Verlander tossed eight innings of one-run ball at Boston last July, starting his second-half resurgence. White Sox: Miguel Gonzalez is scheduled to make his second career start against the Cubs on Monday at U.S. Cellular Field in the first of four games between the crosstown rivals this week. The home-and-home set will move to Wrigley Field Wednesday and Thursday. Gonzalez took the loss for the Orioles on Aug. 24, 2014, in his only other outing against the Cubs, yielding two runs in 6 1/3 innings at Wrigley Field.

Eaton leads way as White Sox show resiliency By Brian Hedger / MLB.com | July 24th, 2016 CHICAGO -- His foot is sore from fouling a ball off it on Friday and he was plunked in the lower back with a fastball Saturday, but Adam Eaton still managed to be the catalyst the White Sox needed on Sunday. After driving in the game-winning run with a walk-off single in the ninth inning for a 4-3 win in a game that was suspended by rain after eight innings on Saturday night, Eaton finished Sunday by going 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and scoring three runs, including the game-winner on a walk-off single by Melky Cabrera. The White Sox's 5-4 win in the finale split the series, which featured four rain delays, ace left-hander Chris Sale getting suspended for five days and closer David Robertson picking up two wins in one day -- the second after blowing a 4-1 lead in the series finale on three home runs. "Baseball is funny like that," said Eaton, who's hitting .425 against Detroit this season, including three doubles, two triples, a home run and nine RBIs in 10 games. "It will beat you down, but then it will build you back up. It's a love-hate relationship, for sure. To have two walk-off wins, especially to get two wins off a great opponent like Detroit, and for them to be walk-offs, is huge for us. It's a lot of fun and kind of brings a good atmosphere in here, too. It was big for our club, on and off the field." Sale was scratched from his scheduled start on Saturday and suspended five days for "violating team rules, insubordination and destroying team equipment," and his teammates spent the better part of Saturday night and Sunday morning dealing with a stream of questions about the incident. The White Sox, who were 1-7 coming out of the All-Star break, could've continued to struggle and been swept, but Eaton made sure that didn't happen. In the first game on Sunday, he laced the game-winning single into left field that scored Avisail Garcia with the winning run. In the second game, he worked a walk off Bruce Rondon to start the winning rally in the ninth, after watching the third of Detroit's homers off Roberston sail over the fence in right field. Rookie Tim Anderson moved Eaton to second with a sacrifice bunt and Cabrera drove him home to end the game in the next at-bat. "Five-pitch walk and the rest is history," White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier said. "I told [Anderson], 'You don't know how big that bunt really was.' Big hit by Melky, and it was a good comeback from what ensued before that." The next task is spinning the momentum forward into four straight games against the crosstown rival Cubs, with each team getting two home games -- starting with the first game Monday at U.S. Cellular Field. "It's definitely good for the team," Eaton said. "Like I've mentioned for the last couple days, we've got to get going. We've been playing a little stagnant. We need to get on a little roll here and get back above .500 and make a run for this thing. It starts here against a good club that we're battling with in Detroit. Splitting with those guys after losing the first two is huge."

Quintana’s gem couldn’t come at better time By Brian Hedger / MLB.com | July 24th, 2016 CHICAGO -- It was the kind of performance that bolstered both sides of the debate about whether the White Sox should trade Jose Quintana. The left-hander's 6 2/3 scoreless innings in Sunday's 5-4 win in the finale with the Tigers were also just what the White Sox needed in the finale of a rain-soaked, adversity-riddled four-game series against the Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field. Closer David Robertson allowed three solo homers in the ninth to blow his fourth save and leave Quintana with a no-decision, but Quintana was still pleased by the series split. "That's part of the game, when they tied the game in the ninth," he said. "But we won, that's most important. I threw a lot of good pitches and we had good defense, too." Quintana cruised through most of his outing. He allowed only one hit and one walk in the first five innings, then appeared to tire a little in his final 1 2/3 frames. After allowing a two-out double to Jose Iglesias in the sixth, Quintana struck out Miguel Cabrera to end the inning. He left after getting the first two outs in the seventh, with the second coming on a nice running catch in deep center field by J.B. Shuck. Chicago's bullpen handled the rest, but had a couple hiccups, likely the result of being taxed heavily all series. Taking their toll were four combined rain delays, a 3 1/3-inning start by Jacob Turner and ace left-hander Chris Sale getting scratched from his scheduled start Saturday for a clubhouse incident that led to a five-day suspension. Robertson pitched three times in less than 24 hours, including twice Sunday, after getting an out in the eighth inning before the game was suspended by rain Saturday night. He earned the win in that game by throwing the ninth inning when it resumed Sunday and then picked up his second win of the day when Melky Cabrera's walk-off single drove home Adam Eaton after his blown save. "I don't deserve the second one," Robertson said. "Jose Quintana pitched his tail off again, and I went out there and screwed it all up. Three two-strike home runs is ridiculous. It's absurd that I pitched that poorly. I need to pick it up. Tough day for me, personally, but I'm really glad for the team. We needed those wins today."

Rodon heads to Charlotte for rehab start By Brian Hedger / MLB.com | July 24th, 2016 CHICAGO -- The White Sox did get some good news mixed in with general manager Rick Hahn's news conference to discuss Chris Sale's suspension. Hahn said injured left-hander Carlos Rodon will begin his Minor League rehab assignment Monday with Triple-A Charlotte. Rodon was placed on the 15-day disabled list July 9 with a sprained left wrist, which occurred when he stumbled running up the dugout steps prior to the singing of the national anthem the day before. Right-hander Jacob Turner was recalled July 17 from Charlotte and has made two starts in Rodon's place, losing both games and not lasting past the fourth inning in either.

It's unknown when Rodon will be activated or when Sale will pitch next. Sale will be eligible to pitch Thursday, when the White Sox play the second of two games against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, but the decision hasn't been made. "We will list it as 'TBA' right now, but we will likely announce something in the coming days as to how we will handle the rotation," Hahn said. Miguel Gonzalez is scheduled to start against the Cubs on Monday, followed by James Shields on Tuesday, before the rivalry series shifts from U.S. Cellular Field to Wrigley Field for the final two games. Turner is slated to start Wednesday. The White Sox recalled right-hander Anthony Ranaudo from Charlotte on Sunday to give the pitching staff a fresh arm for the finale of the series against the Tigers and the remainder of Sale's suspension. Reliever Matt Albers started in Sale's place for Saturday's game, which was suspended by rain after eight innings, and he was followed by five more relievers. "It's a tough day, knowing we have to finish the game that was last night and then continue on with this one," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "You're light in the bullpen to be able to do that." Worth noting • Ventura said injured second baseman Brett Lawrie, who's day to day with tightness in his left hamstring, is progressing well. Lawrie left the series opener against the Tigers after three innings because of the injury and sat out the next two games. Lawrie was available off the bench on Sunday. • Infielder Carlos Sanchez was recalled from Charlotte to be the White Sox 26th man for the second game of Sunday's quasi-doubleheader.

Gonzalez looks to continue hot July vs. Arrieta, Cubs By Curt Hogg / MLB.com | July 24th, 2016 The Crosstown Series between the Cubs and White Sox kicks off with the first of four games on Monday night at US Cellular Field at 7:10 p.m. CT. The White Sox will play host to the first two games of the series, with the latter pair of contests taking place on the north side at Wrigley Field on Wednesday and Thursday. This year's edition of the rivalry features two clubs trending in opposite directions. Long gone are the days when the Chicago teams possessed the two best records in baseball; the Cubs still remain atop the league standings, but the White Sox now find themselves in fourth place in the AL Central. However, that doesn't mean the series won't mean any less to either side. "I heard it gets a little crazy over here on the south side, which is great," said White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier, who will play in his first Crosstown Series. "I wouldn't expect anything less from the fans we have here." Cubs manager Joe Maddon likes the intracity rivalry. "I enjoy the banter," Maddon said. "Even when I come out of the hotel in the morning, there are dudes stopping me on the sidewalk wearing White Sox caps. They give me a hard time. I enjoy it. I hear mostly from Cubs fans, but there's the occasional White Sox fan who says they like what we're doing over here." Things to know about this game • Cubs ace Jake Arrieta is scheduled to start on Monday. After an uncharacteristic stretch of four consecutive outings without a quality start, Arrieta spun seven innings of one run ball in his last start. The right-hander's 2.70 ERA ranked seventh in baseball entering play on Sunday.

• Miguel Gonzalez will toe the rubber for the White Sox. The right-hander looks to cap off a solid month of July in which he has posted a 2.77 ERA and 0.89 WHIP over four starts following a 5.86 ERA in June. • White Sox left-hander Chris Sale, who received a five-game suspension Sunday, is scheduled to start Thursday's series finale.

MLB vets determine to make Elite Development Invitational succeed By Zak Kerr / MLB.com | July 24th, 2016 VERO BEACH, Fla. -- For the second straight summer, the past and future of baseball in minority and undeserved communities has converged at Historic Dodgertown for the Elite Development Invitational. In collaboration with the MLB, MLBPA and USA Baseball, retired MLB players such as David Justice, Marquis Grissom, Marvin Freeman and Tye Waller, are spending two weeks coaching 200 standout middle- and high-school boys from metropolitan areas across the U.S. The first week, which runs through Monday, is for 12- to 14-year-olds. The second week, which runs from Tuesday through Aug. 1, is for 15- to 17-year-olds. "A lot of the kids have played in our RBI [Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities] programs and have played in our Urban Youth Academies, so they're recommended by the director there," MLB senior director of baseball development Del Matthews said. "There's a certain talent level, and that's why we call it our Elite Development Invitational -- it's for some of the kids that are a little bit more advanced. We expose them to player development in a Spring Training-type atmosphere." The participants are getting the most out of the time, and they are constantly working to improve their skills. The participants are kept busy all day long -- from drills and presentations, to intersquad games and meals all in the same quarters of Dodgers greats, most notably Jackie Robinson. The staff has encouraged participants to research Dodgertown and connect its part in Robinson breaking the color barrier, and it hopes it helps them see their potential on and off the diamond. "Jackie and his legacy, along with the opportunities we're trying to provide for young people of color, that's part of why we do this here," MLB senior vice president of youth programs Tony Reagins said. "It means a lot to the kids once they figure out they are playing on the same fields that Jackie Robinson played on and sleeping in the same rooms that those guys slept in." Also, like the RBI program and Urban Youth Academy, reaching all talent pools and diversifying baseball at all levels is a paramount goal. "We're going after the declining number of African-Americans in the Major Leagues that are in Division I colleges," Grissom said. "I grew up in an area where there was a lot of baseball players and coaches. We had real coaches who really cared and loved the game, and it was important that we became successful -- and not [in] the Major Leagues, but successful as individuals." That meant learning fundamental life skills alongside baseball techniques, such as respect, cooperation and hard work, as well as an emphasis on education and developing careers. The staff hopes the participants walk away from the program with more than just baseball skills. Tervell Johnson, a 13-year-old from the Marquis Grissom Baseball Association that Grissom started 10 years ago to develop youth baseball in Atlanta, has employed those principles in his mentality being at the EDI.

"Just work harder than the next guy, show them that I'm more dedicated and I want to be there," Johnson said. Freeman has helped EDI pitchers with simple tweaks, like optimizing a four-seam fastball grip for proper spin. Since his retirement in 1997, Freeman has aimed to provide top-notch coaching for his son and the Chicago White Sox Charities' Amateur City Elite (ACE), which has 10 players at the EDI. "They're all like my sons," Freeman said. "I feel like if every coach coached every player like he was their son, then … everybody would get the same benefit." One player representing ACE at the EDI is 14-year-old Tre' Hondras. "It really brings you back down to reality to see all these talented players here," Hondras said. "You just realize that you got to work harder, because there's more people playing in other states. And all these MLB coaches and players and managers and GMs, they're just trying to come here and help us and make the best for us so one day we can be like them and make it in the league." Results from ACE encourage Freeman that the EDI and other national initiatives will prevail. "The vision has really come full-circle with a first-round pick this year, Corey Ray out of Louisville -- the fifth pick taken in the Draft," Freeman said. "He came up through our program. It really shows you can have a vision, make things happen and get these kids an opportunity to succeed. I was all-in from the beginning." In Justice's case, this EDI opportunity arose spontaneously when he arrived early with his son, an invitee. "They asked me to talk to the kids, [and] after talking to the kids, they asked me if I'd be a part of it," Justice said. "I would be a part of it, anyway -- even if I'm a parent, I'd be over there trying to help somebody." Since joining in an official capacity, Justice has offered specific hitting tips, like how to hit a curveball, as well as broader lessons, such as letting go and moving forward after a strikeout or adversity. This kind of instruction has opened the eyes of New Orleans Urban Youth Academy player Joel Taylor, 14, who said EDI has helped him realize the hard work he needs to put forth in all of areas of his life. "I'm trusting them," Taylor said. "I know that what they're telling us is correct, so I got to train my mind to do what they say, because they've been there." Each member of the staff wants to see all the participants succeed. That especially applies to Waller. When he retired as a player in 1987, he wanted to start a similar organization in his hometown, San Diego, but the means were not available then. "I was an inner-city kid growing up -- we didn't have the best stuff to go out and play," Waller said. "I know how hard it is to play this game. Through my journey here, I'd run across some guys in the inner city that want some instruction, and I tried to help them. But then I'd go out and play, and then they'd fall backward, because they don't have that constant instruction." But like EDI leadership, Waller is eager to form a traveling team to enable that constant instruction. He thinks EDI has the potential to awe the world, and he hopes to pass along tips on how to properly play the game. "We're trying to teach them how to be good players, be good men, be good teammates working with each other so you become a good person that's rounded and balanced," Waller said. "You can go out in society to make a difference in your world, wherever that takes you. I think that's very important, and I've been doing this a lifetime. I just retired [as a coach with the Oakland A's] at the end of the season last

year, so all that stuff I learned was more like a training ground for this opportunity. I just want to pour it out, so when I'm done living my life and they throw dirt on me, I want to die empty -- giving it all away."

White Sox top Tigers with two walk-offs on Sunday By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | July 24th, 2016 The White Sox are somehow still afloat. But just barely. Melky Cabrera’s game-winning, one-out single in the ninth inning Sunday afternoon got David Robertson off the hook and helped the White Sox to a 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers in front of 30,281 at U.S. Cellular Field. Cabrera singled past Nick Castellanos to score Adam Eaton, who reached base four times, and give the White Sox their second victory of the day. Eaton’s two-out, ninth-inning RBI single earlier helped the White Sox win a rain-suspended contest 4-3 over the Tigers. Cabrera’s hit arrived just minutes after Robertson surrendered three solo home runs — all with two strikes — and blew a victory for Jose Quintana, who may have made his final start in a White Sox uniform. The victories kept the White Sox from entirely slipping out of the wild-card race as they remain 6.5 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays. “I love the guys that are in our clubhouse,” Eaton said after the first game. “We’ve got a tight-knit group of guys that really want to fight for each other. To get the big hit and have everyone rush out there, especially with what we’ve had the past couple of days, the whole year has really been a roller coaster both on and off the field.” The season’s topsy-turvy nature potentially could lead to a trade of mainstays Quintana or Chris Sale, who earlier Sunday was suspended five games for insubordination and destroying team property on Saturday. It has been widely speculated the White Sox could move Quintana before the Aug. 1 nonwaiver trade deadline in an attempt to rebuild a roster that general manager Rick Hahn said Thursday has been “mired in mediocrity.” An All-Star and one of the top pitchers in the American League, Quintana and his team-friendly contract could fetch a handsome return were the White Sox to part with him in a deal. Sunday’s 118-pitch effort displayed exactly why Quintana is an attractive option for a contender as he shut down a Detroit lineup that has given him trouble over the years. Quintana kept the Tigers off balance throughout the effort, never allowing more than one runner to reach base in any inning. He faced two over the minimum through five innings and struck out Miguel Cabrera to end the sixth after he surrendered a two-out double to Jose Iglesias. Though he started the inning at 107 pitches, Quintana returned in the seventh and recorded two more outs before he allowed a bloop-base hit to Justin Upton. Nate Jones struck out Mike Aviles to end the inning. Quintana allowed three hits, walked one and struck out four. He also lowered his earned-run average to 2.97. “He’s been helping through the long run and if he gets traded he’s going to help whoever gets him,” catcher Dioner Navarro said. “But I think he’s going to be a great part of this team for many years to come.” That would give the White Sox plenty of chances to make up for all the heartbreak they’ve caused Quintana over the years. Sunday’s no-decision was his major-league leading 56th since 2012. It’s no secret the White Sox have struggled to score runs for Quintana since he arrived in the majors. Even though he owns a career ERA of 3.39, Quintana’s career record remained at 41-42 after Robertson blew his fourth save in 27 tries. Robertson, who earned the win in the first game of the day and also

pitched before Saturday night’s game was suspended, allowed solo homers to Castellanos, Tyler Collins and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Quintana’s sub-.500 record is in large part because the White Sox never seem to score with him on the hill. This season, Quintana ranked 126th out of 136 qualified starters with a 3.2 runs per start headed into Sunday. But the White Sox followed Eaton’s lead. Less than 45 minutes after he won the opener, Eaton singled in the bottom of the first and scored on a two-out RBI single by Jose Abreu. An inning later, Eaton took advantage of singles by Dioner Navarro and J.B. Shuck went he lined a three-run homer with two outs off Anibal Sanchez to give the White Sox a four-run lead. The four runs scored for Quintana marks the team’s second-highest output for one of his starts this season. But it wasn’t enough until Cabrera came through against Bruce Rondon with two outs. Eaton led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on Tim Anderson’s sac bunt. Cabrera then singled on the first pitch from Rondon to produce the game-winner. “I'm proud of the guys for what they did over the weekend and how they handled it,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “All of them reached down for the ball. They all wanted to be in there, so I'm proud of them for that. Robbie is disappointed. It's the first time I've seen that one, but I don't know if it was that he was out of gas. Probably some poor pitches and a day like today, you get it up in the air and it's gone.”

Carlos Rodon set to make rehab start at Triple-A Charlotte By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | July 24th, 2016 Carlos Rodon is closer to returning to the White Sox and Anthony Ranaudo is here. The White Sox announced that Rodon is set to make a rehab start at Triple-A Charlotte on Monday. Rodon — who is 2-7 with a 4.50 ERA this season — was placed on the disabled list with a sprained left wrist retroactive to July 6. He sustained the injury while running up the dugout steps in the final week of the first half. The White Sox promoted Ranaudo on Sunday after they placed Chris Sale on the suspended list. Sale’s five-game suspension is retroactive to Saturday, when his start was skipped and he was sent home early after destroying the promotional 1976 throwback jerseys the team was scheduled to wear. A former supplemental first-round draft pick, Ranaudo was acquired from the Texas Rangers on May 12. He was 5-3 with a 3.20 ERA in 13 starts at Triple-A Charlotte. Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2010, Ranaudo has a 6.33 ERA in 13 career games in the majors. The White Sox also added Carlos Sanchez as their 26th man before the start of Sunday’s originally scheduled game. The teams completed Saturday’s rain-suspended contest earlier Sunday with the White Sox winning 4-3.

Chris Sale’s suspension ‘does not move the needle’ regarding his value to White Sox By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | July 24th, 2016 The White Sox cut Chris Sale’s season short by five games on Sunday morning. White Sox general manager Rick Hahn formally announced that Sale was suspended five games retroactive to Saturday for insubordination and destroying team equipment.

Hahn didn’t disclose many details about the "clubhouse incident" or an evening meeting with Sale, who also played a leading role in a March clubhouse protest when Adam LaRoche abruptly retired after a dispute with management over the presence of his son in the clubhouse. But according to a baseball source and multiple reports, Sale had his Saturday start scratched and was sent home early after he objected to wearing and then destroyed the promotional 1976 throwback jerseys the team was scheduled to don. Hahn declined to comment when asked if Sale used scissors to destroy the jerseys. But the actions of Sale — whose suspension concludes Wednesday and could pitch Thursday against the Cubs — merited discipline, Hahn said. “Obviously, we’re all extremely disappointed that we have to deal with this issue at this time both from the the standpoint of the club as well as Chris’ perspective,” Hahn said. “It’s unfortunate that it has become this level of an issue and potential distraction taking away from what we’re trying to accomplish on the field. … “We had perhaps the opportunity to discipline him back in spring and as an organization we decided to not do that. Yesterday crossed a different line.” White Sox players and manager Robin Ventura left most of the discussion surrounding the event to Hahn, who said Sale could offer more details if he chooses when he returns. Sale was not expected to be at U.S. Cellular Field on Sunday. Ventura said he hadn’t spoken since Sale left the ballpark. Ventura called it a “tough day” and praised players who filled in. Though Sale may have to apologize to teammates, Ventura said the damage was far from irreparable. “It’s nothing that can’t be smoothed over,” Ventura said. “This is not the first one. I think for him, he has the ability to come back here and pitch and carry on.” Third baseman Todd Frazier declined to discuss whether the jerseys, which the team wore last season and have since been altered to improve comfort, were an issue. He also wouldn’t say whether or not he talked to Sale, only offering a brief summation of the events. “It’s crazy,” Frazier said. “You talk to umpires during games and stuff and it’s like you think you’ve seen it all baseball-wise. It’s tough to talk about. It’s just something different.” White Sox pitcher James Shields said Sale has his teammates’ backing and that “sometimes emotions get the best of us.” He also said Sale continues to be a leader in the White Sox clubhouse — perhaps even more effective than Shields expected when he joined the club in early June. “I’ve known Chris for years,” Shields said. “Now that I’ve gotten to be his teammate, he’s one of the better teammates I’ve been around. He’s definitely a team player. He’s a winner. He wants to take the ball every five days and win ballgames.” With the Aug. 1 nonwaiver deadline eight days away, Hahn also dispelled the notion that Sale’s actions have left the relationship between himself and the club in disrepair. While Sale may have crossed a marker, Hahn said the five-time All-Star hasn’t passed the point of no return with the organization. Much of the initial intrigue around the event surrounded trade speculation when Sale was scratched from his start. On Thursday, Hahn said the White Sox wouldn’t make any short-term additions before the deadline and that the club is “open-minded” to any and all competitors’ offers. Sale has reportedly drawn interest from several teams, including the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers. But Hahn was adamant that as upsetting as Saturday’s events are, it wouldn’t have an impact on whether or not Sale is traded. “The actions or behaviors of the last 24 hours does not change in any aspect, any respect, our belief that Chris Sale can help this club win a championship and win multiple championships,” Hahn said. “It does

not move the needle one iota in terms of his value to this club, his value to any other club that may be interested in his services or the likelihood of him being moved or kept whatsoever. None of that stuff is impacted at all by these events.”

Adam Eaton’s hit lifts White Sox to win over Tigers By Dan Hayes / CSN Chicago | July 24th, 2016 Adam Eaton’s two-out, RBI game-winning single lifted the White Sox to a 4-3 win over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday in the completion of a suspended game. The victory in a game that was halted after eight innings by rain on Saturday night snapped a three-game losing streak for the White Sox. Eaton singled off Tigers reliever Justin Wilson to drive in Avisail Garcia, who opened the ninth inning with a single and stole second base. David Robertson earned the victory with 1 1/3 scoreless innings. He struck out three. In Saturday's action, Matt Albers started the game in place of Chris Sale, who was scratched from the start and later suspended. Albers pitched two innings and Dan Jennings, Tommy Kahnle, Zach Duke, Nate Jones and finally David Robertson all pitched. Garcia had a home run and a sac fly and Dioner Navarro also added an RBI on Saturday. On Sunday, Garcia led off the bottom of the ninth with a swinging bunt that managed to stay fair down the third base line, which led to Eaton's walk-off single.

Ten years later, A.J. Pierzynski recalls Michael Barrett encounter in Crosstown Classic By Chuck Garfien / CSN Chicago | July 24th, 2016 Hard to believe, but it's been 10 years since the fist of Michael Barrett famously hit the face of A.J. Pierzynski, creating one of the most legendary moments in the Windy City Series between the White Sox and Cubs. The punch lasted only one second, but speaking with the man who was on the receiving end of that punch, Pierzynski knows he'll be hearing about it for the rest of his life. "It's just one of those things that happens," Pierzynski said in an interview with Comcast SportsNet. "Hey, you got to be remembered for something." Fans won't let him forget it, even if some have forgotten what actually happened that day—which might also include Pierzynski. More on that in a moment. First to the play that started it all. It occurred on May 20, 2006. While scoring a run on a sacrifice fly on a ball hit to shallow left field, Pierzynski knocked over Barrett at home plate. The White Sox catcher then moved towards the Cubs backstop to retrieve his helmet. If it was anybody else, nothing would have happened. This story you're reading would never have been written. But this was Pierzynski, one of the most hated players in baseball, the notorious monkey in the middle of everything. This Sox was about to get socked. "I went up to get my helmet. He grabbed me and said, 'I didn't have the ball (bleep)," recalled Pierzynski. Barrett threw a right hook that hit Pierzynski square in the left cheek, producing an image that has been permanently burned into the minds of Cubs and White Sox fans.

Or so we thought. A decade later, Pierzynski says he frequently comes across people who have somehow forgotten what actually occurred. "What's happened now is most people don't remember what really happened. They just know Barrett and I got into a fight," Pierzynski said. "Most people actually think that I hit him. People (say to me) 'Remember that time you punched Barrett and knocked him down?' So, it's kind of funny how it's kind of changed over the years." But still, many people do remember the punch quite well, especially Cubs fans who relish in heckling Pierzynski whenever he comes to town, like earlier this month when his Braves played the Cubs at Wrigley Field. “They’ll say things like, ‘Michael Barrett's coming. Look out!’ And I'll be like, 'Yeah, whatever,'" Pierzynski said. “Or they’ll yell ‘Hey, you suck! Or I hate you!’ Then it’s like, ‘Okay, great. Welcome to the club.’” The White Sox won the game that day 7-0, but Cubs fans have had a victory of sorts ever since—the memory of Barrett pelting their White Sox nemesis, a guy who pestered them for years. But even Pierzynski himself seems to remember the play differently than everyone else. His account of what occurred will probably get under the skin of Cubs fans. What else would you expect from A.J.? "He didn't really hit me though, that's the thing," said Pierzynski. "He kind of just pushed me. It was weird, because he grabbed me and we were so close. It wasn't like (Rougned) Odor when he hit (Jose) Bautista where he wound up. I mean, it was so close that he just kind of pushed me off balance. "And (third base coach Chris) Speier grabbed me right away and then like 10 guys from the White Sox jumped on top of him. And poor (Cubs outfielder John) Mabry who was my hitting coach in St. Louis. I know we were laughing about it when I was in St. Louis. I think he ended up in the hospital with broken ribs and he had nothing to do with it." Call it a punch, call it a push, most athletes who take a hit like that would be so humiliated they’d never want to talk about it again. Not Pierzynski. “I literally laugh about it. It’s funny to me,” Pierzynski said. “Now my kids are of the age to use the internet, so now that’s like the first picture that always comes up, and they’re like, ‘Why did you get in the fight with the guy?’ I tell them the story and they have to explain it to their friends. It’s just one of those things that happens in your life. Hey, at least it happened on national TV and gives people something to talk about.” Six weeks after the fight, Barrett sought out Pierzynski at Wrigley Field before the White Sox and Cubs resumed the Crosstown Series on the North Side. The two shook hands, made amends and the feud was over. But the two have not spoken to each other since. “I haven’t seen him,” Pierzynski said. “I mean, we played a little bit, but I haven’t seen him off the field.” What would you say to him? “I don’t know. ‘Hey, how you doing?’ I don’t even know what he does anymore.”

Barrett is currently the minor league catching coordinator for the Washington Nationals. Attempts to interview him for this story were unsuccessful. At 39, Pierzynski isn’t sure how much longer he’ll play. He already has enough baseball memories to fill multiple lifetimes. But his recollections of those classic White Sox-Cubs games will never fade. “I played in Yankees-Red Sox, I played in Dodgers-Giants, Cardinals-Cubs, nothing matched the intensity," he said. "Maybe it was because I was on the White Sox and there was such a dislike for the other team, not only in the fan base, but also kind of the organization. It’s just kind of there. "It just brought out the best. It always seemed like it brought out the best in both teams. It was always the one game you circled, and it was like, ‘Okay, we’re playing the Cubs coming up in a week. Everyone be ready.’” Pierzynski was always ready—maybe not for Barrett’s fist—but the face that took the beating that day gave us all a knockout Cubs-White Sox moment, one we will never forget.

Chris Sale suspended for five days by White Sox By Staff / CSN Chicago | July 24th, 2016 The White Sox announced Chris Sale was suspended on Sunday. Sale was involved in an incident in the clubhouse on Saturday that was reportedly related to Sale not wanting to wear retro jerseys for his start that day. Matt Albers started the game after Sale was scratched. The game was later suspended due to rain after eight innings. The White Sox didn't say much about the incident after play concluded on Saturday. However, general manager Rick Hahn addressed the situation on Sunday. Hahn spoke to the media after it was announced that Sale was suspended for five days. According to the White Sox release, the suspension began with Saturday's game and concludes on Wednesday. Sale could return on Thursday, the final game of four against the Cubs. Sale was also fined as a result of the incident. Trade rumors had already begun to surface regarding Sale, but Hahn said this will not change his status regarding any possible trades. Anthony Ranaudo was called up to replace Sale on the active roster. Ranaudo made two appearances with the Texas Rangers earlier this season, one of which came against the White Sox. In a May 10 outing against the Sox, Ranaudo retired the first three batters he faced before walking five out of the next six. The White Sox traded for him two days later. With Triple-A Charlotte, the 26-year-old was used as a starting pitcher and had a 3.20 ERA with 53 strikeouts and eight walks in 78 2/3 innings.

Ken Griffey Jr. finished his Hall of Fame speech in most fitting way thanks to Frank Thomas By #WhiteSoxTalk / CSN Chicago | July 24th, 2016 Ken Griffey Jr. was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday afternoon, and he went out in the most fitting way possible. At the end of his speech, Griffey Jr. grabbed a hat from under the podium and put it on backwards, rocking his signature look.

Griffey Jr. said in his speech that it was White Sox legend Frank Thomas who pitched the idea and ultimately convinced him. "You gotta do it," said Thomas, who joined Cooperstown in 2014. The Big Hurt also posted this on Twitter congratulating the newest Hall of Fame inductee: In his 22-year career, Griffey Jr. played half a season with the White Sox in 2008. He had three homers and 18 RBIs in 41 games with the team.

White Sox take two from Tigers on strange Sunday By Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune | July 24th, 2016 The White Sox won a suspended game. One pitcher won twice. One pitcher was suspended. A strange Saturday night spilled into an unusual Sunday afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox took Saturday's suspended game, which was halted three times Saturday thanks to rain, 4-3 against the Tigers in under 20 minutes. They topped them again 5-4 on a day during which they learned they had lost an All-Star pitcher, Chris Sale, to a suspension for five days. Closer David Robertson earned both victories, the second of which he was the first to admit he didn't deserve. He allowed three home runs in the top of the ninth inning of Sunday's regularly scheduled game, doubling his season total and allowing the Tigers to tie the score and set up the Sox's second walk-off win of the afternoon. "Jose Quintana pitched his tail off again and I went out there and screwed it all up," said Robertson, the first Sox pitcher to be credited with two wins in one day since Tom Seaver in May 9, 1984, when the team completed a 25-inning game against the Brewers. "Three two-strike home runs is ridiculous. It's absurd that I pitched that poorly." Quintana provided some much-needed relief to White Sox's taxed relievers by pitching 62/3 stingy innings and a season-high 118 pitches. The Sox bullpen had thrown 142/3 innings the previous two games, including two by Matt Albers, who started Saturday in Sale's place after Sale was scratched and sent home for destroying the throwback jerseys the team was supposed to wear. "Got a lot of support," Quintana said. "I wanted to go longer, but I know I threw a lot of pitches." Quintana gave up three hits, a walk, no runs and struck out four. He also was steadfast in his desire to stay with the White Sox amid trade-deadline rumors. "I want to stay here," the All-Star left-hander said before Saturday's game. "I like it here. I want to win here. And I'm here. I'm here for now." Avisail Garcia led off the suspended game with an infield single and stole second before Adam Eaton drove him home to set off a celebration near first base. Eaton, the team's real leadoff hitter, scored the winning run in the ninth of the second game on Melky Cabrera's single. "Baseball is funny like that. It will beat you down, but then it will build you back up," Eaton said. "It's a love-hate relationship, for sure. … It was big for our club on and off the field."

Extra innings: Left-hander Carlos Rodon will make a rehab start for Triple-A Charlotte on Monday. Rodon injured his wrist when he tripped on the steps in the White Sox dugout before a game against the Braves July 8 at U.S. Cellular Field, which landed him on the 15-day disabled list. ... The White Sox called up infielder Carlos Sanchez before the game Sunday as the 26th player on the roster, a move that's allowed when a team plays twice in one day. Sanchez was 0-for-4 and was optioned back to Triple-A Charlotte after the game. … The team also recalled right-handed pitcher Anthony Ranaudo from Charlotte to take Sale's spot on the roster.

White Sox suspend Chris Sale five days for uniform outburst By Paul Skrbina / Chicago Tribune | July 24th, 2016 Chris Sale wasn't at U.S. Cellular Field to speak for himself Sunday. The White Sox suspended the All-Star left-hander for five days and fined him an undisclosed amount after he destroyed some 1976 throwback jerseys the team was supposed to wear for his start Saturday. That left some teammates and bosses to speak for him. General manager Rick Hahn said Sale disagreed with the punishment Saturday evening when the two had what Hahn called "a candid conversation." Hahn also said Sale, who is eligible to return for Thursday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, didn't express regret about his actions after voicing his displeasure with the uniforms. "We both expressed remorse that it got to this point," Hahn said. "At that point last night, Chris stood by his actions. "Part of what makes Chris great, part of what makes him elite, is his passion and commitment. We've seen that sometimes spill out from between the white lines. (Saturday) was one of those instances and it unfortunately led to events that required discipline." The Sox have not said whether or not Sale will start Thursday, which was his next scheduled outing. Hahn said the punishment was decided by himself, executive vice president Ken Williams and Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. Hahn said Sale understood why the team was taking action. According to a source, several people in the clubhouse tried to talk Sale out of defacing the uniforms, to no avail. Sale has eluded discipline for past indiscretions, including in the spring when he said Williams "created a problem" that led to Adam LaRoche's retirement after Williams said LaRoche's son, Drake, would not be allowed full-time clubhouse access. Sale said the team was "bald-face lied to by someone we are supposed to be able to trust." "(Saturday) crossed a different line," Hahn said. "We felt it was now appropriate to take disciplinary action." Sale tried to enter the Royals locker room at U.S. Cellular Field last season after he was ejected for his role in a brawl. He also left before a game at the end of the 2014 season after a shouting match with manager Robin Ventura. Hahn said Sale has not expressed to him any desire to be traded and doesn't think the impending Aug. 1 trade deadline had anything to do with Sale's actions Saturday. Hahn also praised Sale, who is 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA this season. Going into Sunday, Sale was among the American League leaders in wins (tied for first), innings pitched (133, second), WHIP (1.01, tied for first), average against (.216, tied for third), strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.45, fourth) and ERA (tied for eighth).

Hahn said, though, that Sale's passion may have played a role in his decision to cut up the uniforms and Hahn wasn't sure the situation could have been avoided. "Could there have been better communication before he took the actions he did … would that have changed anything? I don't know," he said. Ventura said Sunday morning he hadn't talked to Sale since the pitcher was asked to leave the stadium Saturday but declined to say whether he was upset with Sale. "We're going to deal with that internally and we'll officially discuss that when he gets back here at some point," Ventura said. "It's nothing that can't be smoothed over. "This is not the first (incident). He has the ability to come back here and pitch and carry on." White Sox manager Robin Ventura on Chris Sale White Sox manager Robin Ventura talks about the Chris Sale situation Third baseman Todd Frazier didn't directly address Sale's latest situation but said he has seen his fair share of odd things during his career. "It's crazy," he said. "You talk to umpires during games and stuff, and it's like you think you've see(n) it all baseball-wise. It's tough to talk about. It's just something different." Pitcher James Shields called Sale one of the best teammates he has had, a leader and team player. He also declined to talk about Sale's situation directly. "I've seen a lot of crazy things happen in the game, but sometimes emotions get the best of us," he said. "We've just got to move forward as a group and regroup and try to win." Ventura said that while starting pitchers typically are allowed to choose which uniforms the team wears on days they start, there are exceptions, such as promotional days. "Everybody wears a uniform that they don't necessarily like, but you wear it," Ventura said. "If you want to rip it after, you can rip it up after. I've seen guys rip it up after." Thanks to Sale, now he's heard of someone ripping one up before a game.

White Sox problems always more interesting than other teams’ problems By Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune | July 24th, 2016 Chris Sale received a slap on the wrist from general manager Rick Hahn on Sunday after becoming the first player in White Sox history suspended for destroying uniforms. Sale's five-game suspension means he'll miss only one start, a nice little rest for the face of the organization and fan favorite. No harm, no foul, no problem. Hahn took pains to say Sale is still a valued part of the Sox organization, that he did not ask to be traded and did not lose any trade value despite the bizarre uniform-slicing incident on Saturday. Sale's crazy plan to get out of wearing the throwbacks reminded some of the "Seinfeld" episode in which George Costanza tied the Yankees' World Series trophy to the back of his car and dragged it around in an effort to be fired by owner George Steinbrenner.

"I fear no reprisals," Costanza shouted into a megaphone. Sale had no megaphone but obviously did not fear the consequences of his act. And if he really was trying to escape the Sox, sabotaging the throwbacks was as good a way as any of saying: "Get me out of here." Costanza's ploy backfired, as did Sale's, though he was not at the ballpark Sunday to explain his motives. Todd Frazier and James Shields said the players had his back, while manager Robin Ventura pretended it was no big deal. Basically the company line can be summed up in three words: Sale being Sale. "When he believes he's in the right, he goes full bore after it," Hahn said. So was Sale in the right? If the reports are accurate, Sale wanted to switch jerseys because the throwbacks were uncomfortable, and he argued the Sox were putting marketing ahead of winning. The Sox do a lousy job of marketing their players, including Sale, so they need giveaways to help draw fans. That doesn't mean the players have to wear the uniforms they're giving away. But Sale probably should've just sucked it up and complained afterward if it affected his performance. Hahn said Sale "expressed the rationale behind his actions" and understood he would be disciplined for it. But it didn't sound as though Sale was remorseful for his actions. Hahn said "we both expressed remorse that it got to that point." Sure. Sale is considered a good guy, but he does have a tendency to snap on occasion. "Part of what makes Chris elite is his passion and commitment," Hahn said. "We've seen that sometimes spill out from between the white lines. (Saturday) was one of those instances." Former Cub Carlos Zambrano, one of the great "snappers" of all time, would've killed to have Hahn as his GM instead of Jim Hendry, who called him a "tired act" after Zambrano's shouting match with Derrek Lee at the Cell. Ventura and pitching coach Don Cooper should be the ones keeping Sale in line, but both failed. Sale needs some tough love, not enabling. Ventura said he had not spoken to Sale before Sunday's game. I ventured into the stands Sunday to ask Sox fans what they thought of Sale's actions and the Sox's reaction. The general consensus was that Sale didn't deserve any punishment. "Let him choose the uniform when he pitches," said Phil Trinidad, 19, of Chicago. "I'm sure he was just frustrated by the trade rumors. I want to see him pitch against the Cubs." "So he went crazy and screamed at management? So what?" said Catherine Kelly of Chicago. "At least he's trying to win and fire the team up. They look dead." Ted Spiewak, 67, of Oak Forest, was one of the few I spoke to who disagreed with Sale's motives. "If he really cut all the uniforms, five days isn't enough," Spiewak said. "Try a shrink."

Where this ends up is anyone's guess, but Sale seemingly endeared himself even more to a fan base that already loved him. Hahn, meanwhile, either has to learn to live with the occasional eruptions or trade Sale and face the wrath of Soxdom. No matter what happens, the Sox just got more interesting, just in time for the City Series.

Chris Sale needs to end petulance, but White Sox played part too By David Haugh / Chicago Tribune | July 24th, 2016 The face of the White Sox franchise with a temper as nasty as his slider, Chris Sale overreacted Saturday when he slashed throwback uniforms he didn't feel comfortable wearing. Being a cut above the rest of American League pitchers still doesn't give the left-handed ace of the Sox staff the right to destroy property and disrespect the game. Sale's emotional unraveling included undressing Sox employees with words as sharp as the scissors he used to slice the jerseys, sources say. Nobody can defend that kind of petulance from Sale and no amount of talent affords a grown man the luxury of behaving like such a child. Without question, Sale responded to the Sox marketing promotion immaturely and irresponsibly, and on Sunday the team suspended its marquee player for five days because he acted insubordinately too. He violated his contract and put himself before the team, something leaders cannot let happen. General manager Rick Hahn did what he had to do, answering open defiance with firm discipline the way every self-respecting sports executive should. Now Sale can apologize before Thursday's scheduled start against the Cubs and move on, preferably with the Sox, where the best bargain in baseball hopefully remains the rest of his career. Keep in perspective that Sale broke no laws and did no harm to anything but his reputation, which hardly affects how hard he throws a baseball. Forgiveness will come quickly with the next quality start. Forgetting will be easy, too, once Sale channels all that rage into a 97-mph fastball. The most amusing suggestion emerging from this saga comes from those believing Sale's antics will affect his trade value. Really? Teams such as the Cubs continue to line up for 105 mph-throwing closer Aroldis Chapman, who fired eight gunshots in a disturbing domestic-violence incident last fall, but will draw the line at a Cy Young Award frontrunner who vandalizes throwback jerseys? Do you know how many teams would love to have Sale in position to ruin their next throwback jersey game? A quick aside: Sale should be considered a hero to the baseball fashion world because of how awful those 1976 jerseys look. Talk about winning ugly. They remain eyesores four decades later, and the whole throwback jersey craze seems more about making profit than honoring the past. Getting back to the latest dysfunctional Sox dust-up, the whole absurd episode reflects poorly on everyone. While Sale confirmed he is an unpredictable pro athlete with anger issues increasingly difficult for an easygoing manager to control, the Sox played a role in this too. So many easy reactions ripping Sale too easily absolve the Sox for, at the very least, not anticipating an incident so close to Saturday's first pitch. Can you see the Blackhawks experiencing something this embarrassing? Me neither. The Sox didn't necessarily hand Sale the pair of scissors but deserve a limited share of culpability too. Both sides made regrettable decisions related to timing. The Sox's came in not reminding Sale before Saturday about the promotion that would require him to wear something out of Wilbur Wood's closet. As one former major-league pitcher told me, starters traditionally reserve the right to choose what uniforms the team wears on days he pitches. The Sox are no different, several sources confirmed.

The problem this time: The date of the 1976 jersey promotion had been set since the beginning of the season. That meant when the post-All Star rotation shifted Sale to go Saturday — the day of a promotion — nobody in an organization that knows Sale best showed enough foresight to avoid this most petty of disputes. Only the White Sox, right? Or Bulls … or Bears. OK, OK … only in Chicago. If Sale wants to wear camouflage tops with pink bottoms, by all means somebody should figure out how to make that happen so one of baseball's most dominant pitchers can keep dominating. Ideally, the Sox should wear whatever he chooses. When it comes right down to it, Sale represents one of those rare athletes more valuable as an asset than anybody else in the Sox organization. Adjust or alienate The Franchise at your own risk. It seems disingenuous to suggest pro sports teams treat superstars like everybody else on the roster and naive to think they should. As good as it sounds in spring training to say the same rules apply to all 25 guys, it just isn't true. If it were, the Sox would have disciplined Sale after he publicly ripped Sox vice president Ken Williams after the Adam LaRoche fiasco. An empowered Sale emerged from that relatively unscathed and, chances are, he actually will benefit from this suspension because a skipped start makes him stronger for a Cy Young push in September. Whoever's to blame, whatever the cause, the dysfunction continues to fester around the sagging Sox. Being involved in two of the most bizarre baseball controversies imaginable, in the same season, deprived the Sox the benefit of the doubt. If I'm Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, the moody Sox ace concerns me less than the mediocrity creating an environment that magnifies his outbursts. Changing that would require cutting deep into the fabric of the Sox, which sadly isn't Reinsdorf's style.

Just when you thought the White Sox season couldn’t become a bigger joke By Steve Rosenbloom / Chicago Tribune | July 24th, 2016 From Drake LaRoche and the leadership Adam Eaton said in March that the 14-year-old provided to Chris Sale going full-metal loon on laundry before Saturday night’s game, the White Sox have produced some kind of laughingstock season. And don’t forget the 23-10 start that has devolved into what sounds like a coming yard sale. Everything must go: players, credibility, dignity, respect. This is one time the Sox’s small fan base is an advantage: There aren’t that many people to disappoint with your minor-league act. Oh, and even the minor-league Toledo Mud Hens mocked Sale, asking him what he thought of some of their unique jerseys pictured in a tweet. That followed Sale's bizarre actions -- it has to be a baseball first -- in which he so violently objected to wearing 1976 Sox throwback jerseys that he cut up several just hours before first pitch -- his first pitch. Instead of starting, Sale was sent home and the stressed Sox were further stressed by being forced to run out a bunch of relievers. The Sox issued a statement regarding an event in the clubhouse in which general manager Rick Hahn said the event was not physical. But it was hysterical. Sale added to his loon legacy that included lashing out at executive vice president Ken Williams over the L'Affaire LaRoche, trying to gain entrance to the Royals clubhouse after a brawl last season, a screaming confrontation with manager Robin Ventura in 2014 that ended with Sale leaving, and don’t forget Sale hitting himself in the head with baseballs over some bad pitching against the Twins this year. Kinda gives new meaning to the term “untradable’’ now.

No question, Sale is one of the best pitchers in the game. When he wants to pitch, that is. When he can be trusted to pitch. Sale was the biggest name on the market Saturday before becoming a weaponized judge on “Project Runway.’’ The Sox were fielding calls and considering packages starting with him. But who will trust him now? Who will trust him enough before the Aug. 1 trade deadline to give the Sox legitimate market value? It would take a team as crazy as Sale has acted or one that is desperate and willing to gamble. No, not willing to gamble --- forced to gamble. The Dodgers remain a team like that with Clayton Kershaw on the disabled list for who knows how long. The Orioles, too, probably are that desperate. Not sure if the Cardinals are quite there yet, but the Rangers always seem to want to play in the deep end of the pool, no matter how nuts a player might be perceived to be. I don’t think the Cubs are in that spot at all. They value character too much to take that risk, although their interest in Aroldis Chapman, who was suspended 30 games under the domestic violence policy, could change that in a sick way. But if the Cubs go after Sale and if a Sox franchise that’s a far second in this town makes that deal to give the Cubs a potentially great World Series rotation, then you know the Sox believe Mount Sale is going to explode again. In fact, you have to believe the Sox would want Mount Sale to explode in a Cubs uniform, going all Carlos Zambrano. And so today, eight days before the Aug. 1 trade deadline, the Sox suspended Sale for his selfish, stupid act, thus devaluing in some way the one asset that could restock their farm system. It's enough to make you laugh.

When Cubs play the White Sox, the underdog has the edge By Chad Yoder / Chicago Tribune | July 24th, 2016 Oddly enough it seems when the Cubs play the White Sox, the underdog has the advantage. There have been 104 games between the two since interleague play began in 1997 and overall the Sox have had the upper hand, winning 55 to the Cubs' 49. The South Siders also outscored the North Siders 474 runs to 462. Beyond the totals, though, the numbers show that the team performing more poorly each season has had an advantage. When the Cubs have a winning record — and the Sox a losing record — entering the series, the Sox have won 16 games to the Cubs' 11. In the opposite scenario, the Cubs have won 18 games to the Sox's 16. The series this week starts at U.S. Cellular Field Monday and Tuesday and then heads north for two more at Wrigley Field on Wednesday and Thursday. The first-place Cubs have the better record, 59-38, while the Sox sit in fourth place at 48-50.

White Sox reportedly left Seattle without leaving tips for clubhouse attendants By Staff / Chicago Tribune | July 24th, 2016 Clubhouse attendants are common in baseball. They often run errands and do other favors for players, who in turn often tip them for their help. Acccording to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the White Sox failed to do that during a recent road trip to Seattle because the team disagreed with the Mariners’ policy of funneling 60 percent of those "clubhouse dues" to the team, leaving just 40 percent to the clubhouse attendants. Rosenthal reported that Adam Eaton and Chris Sale were among the Sox players who met with Mariners assistant general manager Jeff Kingston about the policy, which is highly unusual among baseball teams.

Hahn says Sox still high on volatile Sale, despite 5-game ban By Toni Ginnetti / Chicago Sun-Times | July 24th, 2016 Jack McDowell was a No. 1 pick and a budding staff ace for the White Sox when he joined the team in 1987 at age 21. The headstrong McDowell had all the makings of greatness and would go on to prove it in a 12-year career, seven of them with the Sox. But after 26 starts with a 5-10 record and a 3.97 ERA in 1988, the 23-year-old right-hander spent the 1989 season in the minors. Manager Jeff Torborg and general manager Larry Hines dealt with the petulant side of young McDowell when they dispatched him to the minors, where he learned there is more to the game than what takes place on the mound. It’s not that easy for the Sox’ hierarchy with their latest headstrong ace, Chris Sale. Sale, now 27 and a five-time All-Star, had a tantrum Saturday over wearing a 1976 replica uniform for his start against the Tigers. Sale reportedly ripped up all the throwback jerseys, an action that led to his dismissal that night and a five-game suspension Sunday. In announcing the punishment, general manager Rick Hahn acknowledged the matter was a disturbing distraction, but he added it would not influence any decision the club might make about Sale’s trade status. “The actions of the last 24 hours do not change in any aspect, any respect our belief that Chris Sale can help this club win a championship and win multiple championships,’’ he said. “It does not move the needle one iota in terms of his value to this club, his value to any other club that may be interested in his services or the likelihood of him being moved or kept whatsoever.’’ Hahn said Sale gave him no indication he wants to be traded. Sale also showed no contrition for his actions. “Part of what makes Chris great, part of what makes him elite, is his passion and commitment,’’ Hahn said. “When he believes he’s right, he goes full bore.’’ Yet, that attitude left manager Robin Ventura and Sale’s teammates in a bind, though they avoided saying as much the next day.

“It was a tough day [Saturday], and I just felt the guys did a nice job of being able to fill in,’’ Ventura said. “It’s nothing that can’t be smoothed over.” However, Ventura might well be the one who suffers the greatest personal indignity. He was left with a depleted relief corps against a division rival Sunday and for a high-charged four-game series against the Cubs that begins Monday. Hahn said it will be up to Sale as to how he addresses Ventura and teammates upon his return Thursday, when he would be eligible to pitch the final game of the Cubs series at Wrigley Field. But Hahn made a candid admission in talking about how past outbursts by Sale were handled, including in spring training, when Sale had words with vice president Ken Williams over curtailed clubhouse access for Adam LaRoche’s son, Drake. “We had the opportunity to -discipline him back in spring, and as an organization we decided to not do that,’’ Hahn said. “[Saturday] crossed a different line. We felt it was appropriate to take disciplinary action.’’ Revenue might be part of the reason. “This was an organizational effort to put on a specific [promotion] night,’’ Hahn said. “It wasn’t just a decision of one individual that we are going to have this throwback. It’s something that most every organization does. We did it with these uniforms last year.’’ Hahn said players were remeasured in the spring for a better-fitting version of the uniform. “It’s not just the baseball department,” he said. “It ranges from marketing to throughout the entire organization that are all together trying to put the organization in the best position to win a championship. Part of the element of being in the position to win a championship is the revenue side of the operation and respect for their reasonable request to help enhance the revenue.’’ Whatever Sale might lack in respect, his athletic abilities remain his shield. “Chris Sale two days ago as well as today is every bit the Cy Young pitcher now that he was then,’’ Hahn said. “It doesn’t change our view of his elite caliber with the possibility to help us or any other club win a championship.’’

White Sox recover from Robertson blown save to win twice By Toni Ginnetti / Chicago Sun-Times | July 24th, 2016 The other White Sox left-handed All-Star pitcher quietly went about his business Sunday while the rest of baseball focused on his teammate. But Jose Quintana’s latest gem went for naught when David Robertson blew the save in the ninth, giving up a three-run lead over the Tigers on three solo home runs. Robertson ended up getting the win when the hitting hero of the day, Adam Eaton, scored in the bottom of the inning on Melky Cabrera’s single for a 5-4 victory. It was Robertson’s fourth blown save of the season and second in a week after losing last Monday. Robertson also earned the win in the completion of the suspended game hours earlier, a 4-3 victory on Eaton’s walk-off single. Eaton also hit a three-run homer in the regularly scheduled game.

While Chris Sale served the second game of a five-game suspension, Quintana held the Tigers scoreless on three hits in 6⅔ innings, striking out four and walking one. He threw a season-high 118 pitches. Sale on Thursday Sale’s suspension means no matchup Monday with Cubs ace Jake Arrieta when the Crosstown Showdown begins at U.S. Cellular Field. Miguel Gonzalez will face Arrieta, and James Shields starts Tuesday against Kyle Hendricks. When the series shifts to Wrigley Field on Wednesday, the Sox will send Jacob Turner against Jason Hammel. Sale is expected to start Thursday against John Lackey. Roster moves Sale’s five-game suspension forced the Sox to recall right-hander Anthony Ranaudo from Class AAA Charlotte to shore up the pitching staff. Ranaudo, 26, was acquired May 12 from the Rangers for right-hander Matt Ball. The team also announced starter Carlos Rodon (sprained left wrist) will make a rehab start Monday at Charlotte.

Sale’s teammates understated but supportive By Toni Ginnetti / Chicago Sun-Times | July 24th, 2016 White Sox players were understated Sunday in their comments about teammate Chris Sale’s blowup in the clubhouse a night earlier. “As a team, we’re doing good,” said pitcher James Shields, who came to the Sox last month in a trade with the Padres. “Things happen in baseball. As far as Chris goes, that’s more of an internal, clubhouse thing. We’re trying to keep it in-house as much as we possibly can.” Shields said he has known Sale a long time but has come to respect him more as a teammate. “He’s one of the better teammates I’ve been around,” he said. “He’s definitely a team player. He’s a winner. He wants to take the ball every five days and win ballgames.” Screen Shot 2016-07-24 at 6.23.01 PM Todd Frazier, who joined the Sox in an offseason trade with the Reds, said the focus has to be on team play, not distractions. “We have everybody’s back. We do, through thick and thin,” he said. “Bottom line is whatever happens, happens. It’s really about controlling what you can control. It’s a saying I like to say all the time. The bottom line is go out there and play every day to the best of your ability.’’ Both said the incident was surprising. “I’ve seen a lot of crazy things happen in the game,” Shields said. “But sometimes emotions get the best of us. Sometimes these things happen. We just gotta move forward as a group and regroup and try to win ballgames.” Frazier said the game can be “crazy.”

“You talk to umpires during games and stuff, and it’s like you think you’ve seen it all baseball-wise,” he said. “It’s tough to talk about. It’s just something different.’’

White Sox suspend Chris Sale for five games By Toni Ginnetti / Chicago Sun-Times | July 24th, 2016 Chris Sale’s actions in the White Sox’ clubhouse Saturday, when he tore apart throwback jerseys to be worn for the game, brought a five-game suspension Sunday. They also brought assurances that the matter will have no impact on his trade status. “I want to make clear the actions of the last 24 hours doesn’t change in any respect our belief that Chris Sale can help this team win a championship,’’ general manager Rick Hahn said. “It’s doesn’t move the needle one iota [on Sale’s trade status]. In a statement released before he met with reporters, Hahn said Sale was suspended “for violating team rules, for insubordination and for destroying team equipment. 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.” Hahn said he spoke to Sale after the incident Saturday and again Sunday briefly by telephone when he told him of the suspension. Sale is eligible to return Thursday, possibly to start the final game of the series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Hahn said Sale “might not have agreed’’ with the suspension, “but he understood where we were coming from.’’ Hahn said the decision was made in consultation with team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and vice president Ken Williams, though Williams was not at the ballpark when the incident occurred. Hahn would not comment directly on what happened when Sale reportedly cut up the 1976 replica jerseys players were to wear as part of a promotion planned in the spring. The same replica jerseys were distributed to 20,000 fans attending the game. Sale was to have started Saturday but didn’t want to wear the uniform because it was uncomfortable. Hahn added it will be up to Sale how he will talk to teammates and the coaching staff when he returns. He said the incident will have no impact on how the Sox deal with trade talks that could involve the Cy Young Award candidate, adding he had no impression from Sale that the lefty wants to be traded. “He goes through this every year,’’ Hahn said of trade rumors. Manager Robin Ventura said Sunday he hadn’t spoken to Sale. “It’s something you deal with. We’ll deal with it internally and when he gets back,’’ Ventura said. Several teammates stuck up for Sale. “Chris is Chris,’’ James Shields said. “He’s one of the better teammates I’ve been around. He has the players’ backs. “We go through different things in your career. It’s a brotherhood in here. We have each others’ backs.’’

Todd Frazier predicted players would put the matter behind them. “It’s a situation that happened. You can’t really look back on it, and that’s basically all I can really say.’’

A kid’s game, yes, but no place for Chris Sale’s childish act By Rick Morrissey / Chicago Sun-Times | July 24th, 2016 Two things are true: — The White Sox’ 1976 collared jerseys were, are and always will be hideous. — Chris Sale’s standard fashion statement should include a bib, a rattle and a blankie. Any hopes that the Sox’ ace might have finally grown up were put to rest Saturday, laid unceremoniously upon a pile of tattered uniforms. This time, his petulance was directed at the ’76 throwback jerseys the team was scheduled to wear that night as part of a promotional campaign. Sale, set to start against the Tigers, didn’t like them and reportedly let his displeasure be known via a sharp object – scissors, scythe, Bowie knife, who knows? No one involved is saying, but according to reports, he destroyed his and some teammates’ jerseys. I think we’ve all been there. You don’t like something in the workplace, you cut it to ribbons. It’s why I always carry a pair of scissors. And a blowtorch. Man’s eternal search for the bizarre, for the freakiest of freak shows, has finally ended. On Sunday, the Sox suspended Sale for five days, retroactive to his Saturday snip-fit. That’s correct: A baseball team had to suspend a 27-year-old baseball player for cutting up uniforms he didn’t like. Sale’s behavior was more suited to that of a six-year-old, and if six-year-olds were to rise up in tiny-fisted protest at that characterization, it would be totally understandable. Whatever Sale’s motivation was for his actions, it was dwarfed by his selfishness. The Sox sent him home before Saturday’s game, depriving a struggling team of having perhaps the best pitcher in baseball on the mound that night. In the process, he taxed a bullpen that didn’t need taxing. And who cares about the fans who came to watch him? The Sox chalked up the incident to Sale’s intensity, saying the same fire that makes him a phenomenal pitcher made him slash the uniforms. He’s a leader, they insist. If this is leadership, then Billy or Timmy for president! The details of the incident are very hush-hush because of the “sanctity of what goes on in a big-league clubhouse,’’ according to general manager Rick Hahn. How sacred could a place be if it’s where teammates’ uniforms are shredded, leading to the suspension of the team’s best player? The Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Lourdes. The White Sox clubhouse. You know, sacred places. The causes Sale chooses to chain himself to are of the head-shaking variety. This time, it was an ugly, apparently uncomfortable jersey he was asked to wear once a season. During spring training, it was Adam LaRoche’s son who got the benefit of the pitcher’s righteousness. Sale ripped vice president Ken Williams for a lack of transparency about why a 14-year-old kid shouldn’t be allowed in the Sox’ clubhouse all the time. (One extremely sheer hint: Because no father should be able to bring his child to work with him on a regular basis.) Last season, after being one of the players ejected for a brawl with the Royals, Sale went to the Kansas City clubhouse, looking to continue the fight. He was stopped at the door. You’ve heard of the Napoleon complex, the need for vertically challenged people to prove themselves? Maybe what we’re seeing here is a skinny person’s need to assert himself in all sorts of strange ways.

Hahn went out of his way Sunday to say that the latest incident does nothing to alter the fact that Sale is a great pitcher. This is true, but whether Hahn was saying so because he was concerned that the uniform-cutting event might scare teams away from trade talks is unknown. We also don’t know if Sale is simply trying to get himself traded. He hasn’t talked publicly about the incident yet. He wasn’t at The Cell on Sunday and won’t be eligible to pitch again until Thursday against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Somehow, he has gotten it into his head that “acceptable behavior’’ has very broad borders. And, somehow, the Sox have allowed him to get away with his temper tantrums for years. It might seem like a small price to pay for greatness, but it doesn’t make the forehead slapping any more enjoyable. I wouldn’t trade him, but I do understand the impulse to start over. I’ve complained for years about how boring the Sox are. This isn’t what I had in mind as an antidote. The Sale situation has led to enough “cut’’ or “slice’’ puns to fill a stadium with groans. One media member innocently prefaced a question to manager Robin Ventura on Sunday with, “The old saw is that veterans are given more leeway …’’ and I thought, “Old saw — good one!” But this really isn’t about cut-up uniforms. This is about a guy with immaturity issues. Teammates, beware: If you pat Sale on the back for being true to his principles, make sure you stand back. He might burp.

Report: White Sox players didn’t pay clubhouse dues in Seattle By Staff / Chicago Sun-Times | July 24th, 2016 Chris Sale isn’t the only White Sox player to object to a directive from management this month. After their series in Seattle last week, Sox players left town without paying clubhouse dues and tips in protest of the Mariners’ new policy that puts 60 percent of the dues into an account managed by the team, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Sunday. Mariners general manger Jerry Dipoto said the Sox were the first team not to pay the visiting clubhouse manager, but he said other clubs have been curious about the policy. The Sox refused to pay because Mariners management made itself part of a financial relationship that has existed between players and “clubbies.” A group of Sox players, including player representative Adam Eaton, met with Mariners assistant GM Jeff Kingston during the three-game series July 18-20 to convey their concern that the majority of their dues wasn’t going to the clubhouse manager. “Jeff walked them through the detail of what we’re doing,” Dipoto said. “There has been some curiosity with other teams in the league, but nobody reacted the way the White Sox did. The fact that they decided to leave town without paying, clearly it’s their choice. There’s no rule that says you must.” Most teams allow the visiting clubhouse manager to handle dues and individual tips. He uses the money to purchase food and other items for the players and redistributes a percentage of the tips to his assistants. The Mariners’ policy allows Bopp to receive 40 percent of the dues plus all of the tips, in addition to his salary from the club, Dipoto said. The other 60 percent of the dues helps pay for food and the salaries of clubhouse assistants.

Chicago White Sox take two from Tigers By Scot Gregor / Daily Herald | July 24th, 2016 Winning is all that matters in major-league baseball, no matter who gets the credit. Take David Robertson, for example. The closer was on the mound Saturday night when rain suspended the Chicago White Sox's game against the Detriot Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field after the eighth inning with the score tied at 3-3. Robertson was back on the mound Sunday when the game resumed, and he pitched a scoreless ninth. Adam Eaton's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the inning lifted the Sox to a 4-3 win and Robertson was deserving of the decision. The White Sox and Tigers continued on with the regularly scheduled game, and Robertson got the win again. "I don't deserve the second one," the Sox's closer admitted. With the White Sox holding a 4-1 lead in the ninth inning, Robertson gave up a solo home to Nick Castellanos. With two outs, pinch hitters Tyler Collins and Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit back-to-back solo shots off Robertson to tie the game. "Jose Quintana pitched his tail off again and I went out there and screwed it all up," Robertson said. "Three two-strike home runs is ridiculous. It's absurd that I pitched that poorly. I need to pick it up. I'm glad we got a win. I'm glad Q did well. Tough day for me personally, but I'm really glad for the team." In the bottom of the ninth, Eaton led off with a walk against Bruce Rondon. Tim Anderson sacrificed Eaton to second base and Melky Cabrera's run-scoring single scored Eaton as the Sox won 5-4. Eaton also hit a 3-run homer in the second inning to stake Quintana to what appeared to be a comfortable 4-0 lead. "It's definitely good for the team," Eaton said. "Like I've mentioned for the last couple days, we've got to get going. We've been playing a little stagnant. "We need to get on a little roll here and get back above .500 and make a run for this thing. It starts here against a good club that we're battling with in Detroit. Splitting with those guys after losing the first two is huge." Quintana was strong again in the regularly scheduled game, and the White Sox's left-handed starter allowed 3 hits over 6⅔ shutout innings. Cubs watch: After playing four long games against the Tigers, the White Sox need to perk back up and get ready for four straight against the rival Cubs. The first two games, Monday and Tuesday, are at the Cell.

"Pretty excited," said third baseman Todd Frazier, who is in his first season with the Sox after being acquired in an off-season trade with the Cincinnati Reds. "I heard it gets a little crazy over here on the South Side, which is great. "I wouldn't expect anything less from the fans we have here. They're very passionate and hopefully we put up a good showing. "I've played against those guys (Cubs) for a long time. I know a bunch of their pitchers. I'm going to look back on some film and make sure I've got everything right, and cross the Ts and dot the Is, and hopefully we can win that series." Ranaudo joins roster: Right-handed pitcher Anthony Ranaudo joined the White Sox on Sunday, and he replaces suspended starter Chris Sale. In 13 starts with Class AAA Charlotte, Ranaudo was 5-3 with a 3.20 ERA. The Sox acquired the 6-foot-7 Ranaudo in a May 12 trade with the Rangers for minor-league pitcher Matt Ball. Pitching out of Texas' bullpen earlier in the season, Ranaudo faced the White Sox on May 10 and gave up 5 runs on 5 walks in 1⅓ innings.

Eaton, White Sox get pair of wins against Tigers By Scot Gregor / Daily Herald | July 24th, 2016 Losers of eight of their last nine and back in the national spotlight thanks to Chris Sale's bizarre clubhouse behavior Saturday, the Chicago White Sox were in desperate need of a positive development. They got two on Sunday, although the second was a tester. Resuming Saturday night's suspended game at U.S. Cellular Field in the ninth inning, Eaton's two-out single scored Avisail Garcia from third base and the Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 4-3. Rain suspended Saturday night's game after the eighth inning. In Sunday's regularly scheduled game, the White Sox topped the Tigers 5-4. Starter Jose Quintana (9-8) allowed 3 hits over 6⅔ scoreless innings but failed to get the win for the Sox. Eaton sparked the offense again, hitting a 3-run homer off Detroit starter Anibal Sanchez in the second inning. Trailing 4-1 in the ninth inning, the Tigers tied it against closer David Robertson on solo home runs by Nick Castellanos, Tyler Collins and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. In the bottom of the ninth, Melky Cabrera's one-out single scored Eaton from second base with the deciding run.

Chicago White Sox’s Quintana shrugs off trade rumors By Scot Gregor / Daily Herald | July 24th, 2016 Chris Sale is attracting the most attention among Chicago White Sox trade candidates, even after Saturday's bizarre clubhouse antics. Close behind is Jose Quintana, who the Sox's No. 2 starter behind Sale. Coveted by contending teams for his career 3.42 ERA and ability to log 200-plus innings per season, Quintana has been linked to numerous teams. "I don't pay attention to that," he said. "I don't have control over that. I just have my focus here and that's it." Signed as a free agent before the 2012 season after spending four years in the New York Yankees' minor-league system, Quintana has been a key member of the White Sox's rotation for five seasons. "I know this is a time for trades, but we don't try to pay attention to that," said Quintana, who ranks seventh in the American League with a 3.13 ERA and is 13th with 123⅔ innings pitched. "I want to stay here. I want to stay here. I like it here, and I want to win here. And I'm here. I'm here for now." Deep thoughts: Justin Morneau hit a 3-run homer in Friday night's loss to the Detroit Tigers, the first time he has cleared the fences since May 6 of last season, when he played for the Colorado Rockies. Morneau, who had elbow surgery in December, joined the Sox's roster on July 15. "I'm starting to feel a lot more comfortable," Morneau said. "I think I can battle and go deep in counts and then fight pitches off and two-strike hitting, all that kind of stuff, when I don't feel like I'm trying to do too much. That's really close. It feels pretty good. "I can go out there and battle, which is a good feeling. Hopefully I can stay healthy the rest of the year and that's what happens." Lawrie update: Brett Lawrie missed his second straight game Saturday with a strained left hamstring. Until Lawrie is ready to return, Tyler Saladino is filling in at second base. "I think every day gets a little bit better," manager Robin Ventura said. "It's not DL-able, where you're sitting here looking at two weeks. He's good enough to go, probably in a couple days here."

Cutting to the chase: White Sox suspend Sale for 5 days By Scot Gregor / Daily Herald | July 24th, 2016 The Chicago White Sox are back in the national headlines … for all the wrong reasons. Ridiculed inside and outside of the game during spring training following the Adam LaRoche retirement fiasco, the Sox returned to damage control mode after their best player, starting pitcher Chris Sale, cut up the 1976 throwback uniforms long scheduled to be worn Saturday night, according to multiple reports.

About the Cubs: The Cubs continue their bus road trip after spending the weekend in Milwaukee. They'll start and eight-game homestand, beginning with two more against the White Sox, on Wednesday. The Cubs entered Sunday first in the National League in on-base percentage and walks drawn by their batters. They were third in runs scored and fourth in homers. The team ERA of 3.27 was second best in the NL, and the Cubs also were second in quality starts (60). Anthony Rizzo may be the front-runner for MVP honors. He entered Sunday at .288/.397/.588 with 24 homers and 72 RBI. Teammate Kris Bryant was at .284/.376/.554 with 25 homers and 65 RBI. It was Sale's turn to start against the Detroit Tigers Saturday but he was scratched and sent home. On Sunday, the White Sox announced Sale is suspended for five days. The 27-year-old lefty is eligible to return Thursday and is likely to pitch against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, Vice President Kenny Williams and General Manager Rick Hahn talked it over and decided on Sale's suspension. "(Sale) and I met late in the day (Saturday) for about a half-hour in my office," Hahn said. "We had a very candid conversation about his thoughts on the matter and what led to his actions, what led to his exchanges with our staff members down there (in the clubhouse) and I was very candid with him about our point of view about the event and the appropriateness of his behavior and his comments. "We both expressed remorse that it got to this point. At that point last night Chris stood by his actions. Part of what makes Chris great, part of what makes him elite, is his passion and commitment. We've seen that sometimes spill out from between the white lines. Yesterday was one of those instances and it unfortunately led to events that required discipline." Hahn offered no details on Sale's actions, but he was suspended for "violating team rules, for insubordination and for destroying team equipment," according to a statement the Sox released Sunday morning. Why did Sale act in such a bizarre manner? "I'll let Chris explain any issues with the uniform when he speaks to you next," Hahn said. While offering few details on Sale's latest clubhouse blow-up, Hahn did say the pitcher was not trying to force a trade to a contending team. This is Sale's seventh season in a White Sox uniform -- so to speak -- and barring a miracle, it's going to be his seventh season missing the playoffs. "I don't want to get into the specifics but at no point, I will say, did he express the desire not to be a Chicago White Sox," Hahn said. "I spoke to him again this morning to inform him of the discipline. We spoke for maybe 10 minutes this morning and again, a very calm and rational discussion about the events. While he may not have agreed with the club's perspective on this, he understood where we were coming from and why." Did Sale go on a cutting frenzy because he's upset that his name is being mentioned in trade rumors? "You know, I got no sense of that from Chris, and I also don't think that's realistically behind it, I really don't," Hahn said. "I mean, he's through this every year. Most professional players go through this at some point of their career but boy, Chris goes through it at least once if not twice a year, usually around the winter meetings and sometimes around the trade deadline. "He's professional when it comes to that stuff. I know it's never easy for any player, it's probably even harder on a player's family, but I don't think anything from yesterday pertains to trade rumors or anything like that." On Saturday, Sale's teammates had no words of criticism, and that continued Sunday.

"I've seen a lot of crazy things happen in the game, but sometimes emotions get the best of us," said starting pitcher James Shields, who was acquired in a June 4 trade from the San Diego Padres. "Sometimes, these things happen. We've just got to move forward as a group. I've known Chris for years. Now that I've gotten to be his teammates he's one of the better teammates I've been around. He's definitely a team player. He's a winner. He wants to take the ball every five days and win ballgames." Since the end of the 2014 season, Sale has been in four known off-the-field incidents. He was directly involved in the LaRoche/spring training controversy, swearing at Williams and calling the White Sox's VP a liar. This is the first time the Sox suspended the hot-tempered Sale. "We had perhaps the opportunity to discipline him back in spring and as an organization we decided to not do that," Hahn said. "(Saturday) crossed a different line. We felt it was now appropriate to take disciplinary action."

Rozner: White Sox’ Sale might consider growing up By Barry Rozner / Daily Herald | July 24th, 2016 You would have to search long and hard to find a way to blame White Sox management and ownership for the behavior of a grown man who chose to act like a child. But that's what usually happens in Chicago, so this will probably be Ken Williams' fault when it's all said and done. You know Chris Sale will find a way to put it on someone else because it's what he usually does. The truth, however, is Sale acted like an angry kid who couldn't get his way, so he threw a fit, made a terrible mess and got sent to his room without dessert. It's not the first time he's behaved this way, and you need only remember his reaction to Drake LaRoche's dismissal in March to find his last disturbing tantrum. And still, he's the Sox' most valuable asset and it changes nothing about the way the Sox will shop Sale during the week leading up to the trade deadline. They're not going to trade him because of this. They're not going to get less in a deal if they do trade him. And they won't send him home for the rest of the season. If they can deal him to start the rebuild, they should, just as they should move any valued asset that gets them closer to competing for a playoff spot again. But the latest nonsensical incident won't stop a team from wanting Sale, nor will it in any way diminish the potential return. Teams will be willing to give up a huge portion of their future to acquire the best pitcher in baseball not named Clayton Kershaw. Seriously, no one blinks at the thought of taking on Aroldis Chapman, and he's a guy who was suspended for 30 games after an incident in which his girlfriend alleged that Chapman choked her. According to police reports, he then went out to a garage on his property and fired eight shots from a handgun, one of which flew through a window and into an open field.

Sale injured no one. He acted foolishly, but he's never threatened anyone's safety, as far as we know. He just seems to be a bit off-kilter, immature and lacking perspective. So his value has not dropped in any way, and if the Sox decide to trade him it will have nothing to do with what happened Saturday. And if they keep him, he will continue to be the best pitcher in baseball. But as was the case in March when the locker room appeared to be out of control, Sale has done Robin Ventura no favors. One can't help but think of someone like Don Zimmer at a moment like this. Can you fathom this occurring in a room managed by Zimmer, or -- for that matter -- Buck Showalter or Mike Scioscia? To be clear, this is Chris Sale's fault. No one else's. This is not on Ventura, Williams, Rick Hahn or Jerry Reinsdorf, but the perception of a clubhouse out of control does nothing to help the manager keep his job. Sale owes Ventura an apology. He owes his bullpen an apology. He owes an apology to the 32,000 fans who paid to watch him pitch Saturday. He owes an apology to the marketing department, which is trying to sell tickets and jerseys so Sale can cash a paycheck worth $762,000, twice a month. Mostly, at age 27 Chris Sale needs to grow up. Real life is actually pretty hard for most people, and he does himself and his teammates no favors when he behaves unprofessionally, like someone who truly doesn't understand how difficult it is on the outside. Sale is now a national joke, someone who grabs a scissors when he doesn't get his way. The best pitcher in the game will be mocked for the rest of his career because of his actions. His name will not be spoken for months without a reference to this recent attack of stupidity. Only he can change the perception of who he is -- and it starts with an apology. Maybe.

Imrem: It’s remarkable more Chicago White Sox players don’t go goofy By Mike Imrem / Daily Herald | July 24th, 2016 Former Chicago White Sox owner Bill Veeck would have tried to have fun with the club's latest nonsense. The late, great, fabled P.T. Barnum of Baseball might have quickly slapped together a Shredded Throwback Jersey Giveaway Day at the old circus of a ballpark. Or maybe a Running with Scissors Night that could have turned out to be as disastrous as Disco Demolition was. Or a Krazy Zone instead of a K-Zone in the grandstands whenever Chris Sale pitches. Or a postgame screening of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" on the gigantic videoboard hovering over center field. Veeck's promotions seemed to believe in the concept of laughing to keep from crying over any and all Soxcapades. Now certainly is a time when everyone associated with the Sox, from front-office employees to players to fans, could use a good chuckle even on top of Sunday's 2 victories over the Tigers.

Veeck was the owner who in 1976 dressed Sox players in the unconventional uniform that Sale shredded in the clubhouse before Saturday night's game. Presumably the instrument of destruction was a pair of scissors, though possibly a knife. Regardless, by now you know that Sale's bosses, not amused, sent him home to pout instead of to the mound to pitch. Sunday, general manager Rick Hahn announced his star pitcher was suspended for five days. Sale was upset that he had to go to work in an uncomfortable uniform, as if he was being asked to stand on a street corner between sandwich boards hawking game tickets. The chatter already underway demanding a massive Sox rebuild escalated into a clamor demanding that they trade Sale. However, what a fan in U.S. Cellular Field should do is hold up a sign reading, "Keep Chris Sale … Trade Jerry Reinsdorf!" And trade Kenny Williams! And trade Rick Hahn! And trade Robin Ventura! There's no excusing Sale's behavior, which was dumb, immature and embarrassing for the Sox, baseball and himself. At least credit Sale for not exercising the hallowed baseball tradition of setting dreaded threads afire on the clubhouse floor. But don't lay all this on Sale. They are co-conspirators, the club as much the cause as the player is the effect. If this franchise drives fans mad, imagine what it must do to its franchise player. Keep in mind that Sale is wacky but still more successful at his job than the other principals in the Sox organization are at theirs. He is a better pitcher than Reinsdorf is a club chairman, Williams is a vice president, Hahn is a GM and Ventura is a field manager. For someone like Sale, good enough to be the starter in this year's All-Star Game, it must be frustrating to be bossed by the people who created this team's bizarre culture. Speaking of frustration, Sale threw 8 shutout innings of 1-hit ball in his most recent outing before the Sox converted a 3-0 lead into a 4-3 loss. No wonder he was edgy over the weekend. It wasn't the first time the Sox squandered a sizable lead for Sale, who nevertheless has a 14-3 record for a sub-.500 team. To laugh instead of cry, maybe the Sox's next move should be to offer all tailors free admission the next time Chris Sale pitches. You know, like Barnum Bill Veeck might have.

Levine: clubhouse incident won’t hurt Chris Sale’s value on market By Bruce Levine / CBS Chicago | July 24th, 2016 CHICAGO (CBS) — The soap opera that centers around the Chicago White Sox and ace left-hander Chris Sale took on a new twist, as he’s been suspended five games and was absent from the park Sunday a day after a clubhouse incident that is dominating the sports conversation right now.

Sale was sent home Saturday before his schedule start after destroying the entire team’s 1976 throwback jerseys in frustration. Sale was agitated by retro uniforms that had an Xfinity logo as the marketing partner on this promotion. Still, none of those antics will stop the White Sox from getting back a huge load of young talent back for Sale should they decide to trade him. And make no mistake: All of the hoopla around this latest incident points more than ever to Sale being dealt soon to a contender before the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline. White Sox general manager Rick Hahn has had two conversations with Sale since his outburst on Saturday. Hahn said Sale was disappointed with the suspension and didn’t express remorse for his actions. “It is unfortunate that this has become an issue and potential distraction,” Hahn said. What Hahn said next was telling. For the first time since the 27-year-old Sale has been in the organization, a team official alluded to the fact that Sale could help another team compete for a title. “It does not change our belief that Chris Sale can help this club win a championship,” Hahn said. “It doesn’t move the needle one iota in terms of his value to this club or his value to any other club that may be interested in his services or the likelihood of him being moved or kept … None of that stuff is impacted at all by these events.” Hahn made it crystal clear that Sale is a top commodity who could bring back other potential dominant players in return. Sale’s favorable contract and his overall ability and competitiveness make him the No. 1 starting pitcher on the market right now. Other clubs such as the Red Sox and Rangers are making their best offers and counter offers for Sale. Did Sale himself asked to be traded? “I don’t want to get into specifics of our exchange,” Hahn cautioned, “but at no point did he express a desire not to be a Chicago White Sox player. He has gone through this stuff (trade rumors) once or twice a year during his career. “He is professional when it comes to that stuff. It is never easy for any player. I do not think anything from the incident pertains to trade rumors or anything like that.” Hahn emphasized that he’ll be proactive in listening to all offers, including viable inquires on Sale. “We have a responsibility to listen on all of our players and understand their value,” Hahn said. “That does not mean we feel we need to take less than appropriate value. Chris Sale two days ago, as well as today, is every bit the Cy Young pitcher now that he was than. That does not change. His elite caliber can help us or any club win a championship.” Many items, including gloves and shoes, appeared to be missing from Sale’s locker area Sunday. That in itself may indicate that Sale believes his time with Chicago may be coming to a close. While suspended through Wednesday, Sale can work out with the team in the early hours before the game but must clear out of the field and clubhouse when the public is allowed into the ballpark.

Baffoe: Chris Sale is forever branded a baby By Tim Baffoe / CBS Chicago | July 24th, 2016 (CBS) On Sunday morning, I was visiting with family and over coffee the conversation turned to Chicago White Sox ace left-hander Chris Sale. My White Sox fan relatives were aghast and dumbfounded by the latest drama, a certain pain in their faces having to try to grasp how this even happens, as though they were sitting in a police station waiting to pick up a teenager arrested for vandalism. During the how-the-hells and I-can’t-believes over Sale cutting up the team’s jerseys in frustration prior to his scheduled start Saturday, my two-year-old nephew was refusing his dad’s orders to stop messing with the TV remote. He was told to stop, he didn’t, told again, same response. This resulted in a timeout, the kid made to sheepishly sit in a chair off to the side. He’ll eventually learn that this is how the world works, that we don’t always get to do whatever we want and certain authority must be heeded. My nephew’s timeout was temporary and the lesson likely more permanent, as he doesn’t come from an environment of entitlement. In other words, he isn’t Chris Sale — and not just because my nephew is built like a miniature fire hydrant. “We’re all extremely disappointed that we have to deal with this issue at this time, both from the standpoint of the club as well as Chris’ perspective,” White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Sunday morning in what felt like an episode of a really bad sitcom where the angry player destroys the team’s uniforms on purpose. “It’s unfortunate that it’s become this level of an issue and a distraction, taking away from what we’re trying to accomplish on the field.” Translation: “We can’t (bleeping) believe what this (bleeping) (bleep) (bleeping) did either. It’s all (bleeped).” “I spoke to him again this morning, to inform him of the discipline,” Hahn said about having to suspend Sale for five games because he’s a spoiled brat. “We spoke for about 10 minutes and had a very calm and rational discussion about the events. While he may not have agreed with the club’s perspective on this, he understood where we were coming from.” This shows that as of the next day, after having his ball taken away from him and being sent home with a night to reflect on his actions and sleep on the whole thing, Sale — a leading Cy Young contender — is a childish loser. That Sale “may not have agreed with the club’s perspective on this” — a perspective of basic grown-up decency and understanding you don’t get to destroy office property because the sailor suit mommy and daddy are putting you in is uncomfortable — is Hahn letting us know his pitcher has no understanding of not just being a damn adult but also no understanding of the effects of this inexcusable episode of the depressing show As The Sox Burn. “Hindsight’s 20-20,” Hahn said. “Could there have been better communication before he took the actions he did? Perhaps. Would that have changed anything? I don’t know. “Again, he’s a very passionate individual, very focused individual. When he believes he’s in the right, he goes full bore after it. It’s part of what makes him aggressive and great on the mound. So I don’t know if any different words being used early in the encounter would have changed his reaction or not.” So had an actual grownup tried to calm down the big tantrum, Sale may still have gone rogue with scissors or knife or whatever tool of ignorance he used. That’s lovely to know. In the same freaking clubhouse, in the same year, Sale found a way to trump the Adam/Drake LaRoche saga of spring training — hand-down baseball’s weirdest story in years and years.

This is Sale’s legacy. Go and win five Cy Young awards? You’re still the dude who cut up throwback jerseys in a fit of crazed entitlement. Forever. And make no mistake — this is about an entitled child who, like too many pro athletes, has seemingly not been told “no” enough in his life and has had authority figures in his life fold in favor of his mood. This is a player who a few months ago was defending a literal child as a clubhouse leader and now sits at home, suspended for one of the most bizarre acts of childish behavior in sports history. Sale turned an anti-climax of a now-lost season into a public farce. The White Sox are currently relevant because their petulant ace went postal on clothing. That’s unfairness that reaches wider than Sale’s gangly wingspan. It puts Hahn and (whenever he stops seething wherever he is) executive vice president Kenny Williams in an unfair position of having to explain and quell this like aghast parents in the principal’s office. It has Brooks Boyer and the rest of the marketing department unfairly having to call rightfully angry sponsors and suppliers and explain how the team will make this sabotage right and apologize for a spazz flushing lots of promotional money down the toilet and having 20,000 fans with throwback jerseys wondering why the team isn’t wearing them. An unfair extra job gets added to clubhouse personnel having to wrap their heads around an emergency of an entire team suddenly having no uniforms and disposing of the crime scene. Manager Robin Ventura, never one for appearing stern or appropriately patriarchal, has his job unfairly turned into repairing a fractured fragile clubhouse vibe and answering questions from media that he didn’t sign up for. Again. And maybe various members of the organization share a bit of responsibility for what might be a culture that created the opportunity for a whiny man-child to even consider destruction of property. Even if that’s true, this post-pubescent person acted of his own free will and of a personality that was cultivated before he was on the White Sox and probably wouldn’t change much regardless of workplace protocol. This is on the superstar psycho with the very full diaper and will be for the rest of his baseball life. Maybe most unfair of all about Sale’s conscious choices Saturday is the gut punch to White Sox fans, a maligned group of predominantly decent people and solid baseball fans who through no fault of their own has never quite shaken the reputation and subsequent punchlines of Disco Demolition and the Ligue family. Now that has manifested on a different level, with an actual player embodying the trashy stereotype. And not just any player but the best player on the team. This is the one player who brings any national attention to the perpetual little sibling of Chicago. That attention is now mocking, giggling. Mouths are agape, there’s pointing and WTF-ing and puns and crying-laughing emojis. This episode may be at some point in time forgivable, but it’s permanently inescapable. White Sox fans don’t deserve the inevitable late night talk show quips at their favorite team’s expense. They don’t deserve the smack talk from uncreative, soft-headed Cubs fans this week during the Crosstown Classic series and forever. These fans are tired of ownership and management — for reasons right and wrong — but the last bastion of solace was in players at least being adults and gritting their teeth and taking the field regardless of circumstances and trying to win. Chris Sale — face of the franchise and All-Star Game starting pitcher — crapped all over that. He actually could have defecated on the floor of the clubhouse instead and lost less respect. Whether he’s traded this week or with the White Sox for the rest of this season and beyond, Sale doesn’t get to delete this from his Wikipedia page or from future conversations about him. Nor should he be allowed to ever have this forgotten. This is an overgrown child with supreme talent, but a child nonetheless. He showed that with the way he publicly and ignorantly bus-tossed the organization following the absurd LaRoche garbage. He makes his attempt to continue the on-field fracas into the Kansas City Royals clubhouse last season less fire and passion in retrospect and more another piece of evidence of a spastic prick.

Maybe this can be mitigated with Sale doing some charitable work (a clothing drive perhaps?). Maybe being self-deprecating about it would help (a promotion at his next home start with cut-off shirseys?). More likely Sale is telling himself right now that he’s in the right, because he’s always been in the right. He certainly hasn’t said anything publicly since Saturday that should lead us to think otherwise. Sale’s suspension isn’t a “timeout,” because that doesn’t work at his age. Chris Sale doesn’t understand how the real world works or even its very distant cousin, the fantasy land that is a baseball clubhouse. He isn’t sheepishly considering his choices in a kitchen chair off to the side of the grown-ups. He’s a two-year-old, now and in the way he’ll be talked about forever.

Spiegel: Petulant Chris Sale exposes White Sox dysfunction By Matt Spiegel / CBS Chicago | July 24th, 2016 (CBS) The petulant child in this embarrassing White Sox saga is obvious, but the chaos and ineffective parenting of the entire family has allowed such foolishness to flourish. The new national butt of scissor jokes for the foreseeable future has brought the focus on his infantile behavior. Let’s offer some context on the puerile Chris Sale, especially for the potentially out-of-town stupid. Four months ago, the undisputed boss of the organization came into the spring training clubhouse to address the team. Executive vice president Kenny Williams had asked veteran first baseman/designated hitter Adam LaRoche to reduce the presence of his 14-year-old son, Drake, in the clubhouse, after some of the new players had objected. Objected is perhaps the wrong word. The new players, a few of them with actual experience on winning teams, were dumbfounded that Drake’s presence had been allowed to that extent. They understandably saw it as part of a losing culture and chaotic clubhouse that can hinder communication, preparation and performance. LaRoche balked, drew a line in the sand and threatened to quit. Then it really got ugly. LaRoche walked away from the sport, and a couple days later, Sale — ever the petulant child — ranted for 15 minutes about Williams, his boss, to local and national media alike. Sale called Williams a liar. “Somebody walked out those doors the other day and it was the wrong guy, plain and simple,’’ Sale infamously said. Sale called out Williams because he felt lied to, probably was lied to and recognized poor leadership. But the boss is the boss. Sale embarrassed the organization with those comments. He railed against the man while defending the clubhouse culture of a 76-win team. A punishment or at least a public chastising had to be coming, right? Nope. White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf later released a statement saying: “While there is no doubt this might have been handled differently, the fact remains that this is an internal matter that we have discussed and now resolved … I am fully confident this matter will soon be behind us and that we will grow even stronger and more united as a team and as an organization.” Well, that was a nice thought — that didn’t happen. On Saturday, amid trade rumors and yet another season of failure, Sale sliced up some ugly 1976 throwback uniforms before his schedule start. He has now, finally, been suspended for five days. It’s a start missed, a wrist slapped, four months after it should have happened in the first place.

Look, Sale is in no way a victim here. But as so often happens, the loud and angry expose the overall dysfunction we’ve long known exists. Think of the attention-grabbing Ozzie Guillen blather bursts that shone a light in 2010 and 2011. The White Sox’s fumble in these situations are plentiful. Initially telling LaRoche that a constant Drake presence was OK was absurd. Not letting manager Robin Ventura carry out the wishes of the organization directly with the players is mismanagement. Williams’ ego and presence have been a negative for a while now, with the entire chain of command off-kilter. Ventura is a loyal company man who never really wanted the job in the first place. The White Sox will soon be able to look back on having given control of the on field team to a nice, incompetent manager for an entire five years. His best quality was those five months in 2012 when he wasn’t Guillen. Allowing a bratty spring rant against the big boss to go completely unpunished was an admission of bad leadership, and it only served to weaken any sense of control. Forcing the starting pitcher to wear uniforms he doesn’t like to pitch in shouldn’t be done. There are many healthy organizations that allow the starter to choose the uniforms. Their comfort matters. Apparently, the White Sox usually do that with Sale, but on this nearly 100-degree Saturday, they forced the throwbacks he’s known to despise. After all, they’d been advertised. Marketing first, folks. The incessant efforts to fill seats, at the cost of competitiveness, are embarrassing. This particular issue is just a small example of the bigger picture; the annual battle for relevance has been counterproductive for quite some time. There’s so much wrong with the White Sox, and they know it. What shouldn’t be lost in the actions of Slicey McSlicerton is that we’ve seen signs this week that maybe, finally, there’s an admission of institutional decay. General manager Rick Hahn came out and acknowledged that they’re “mired in mediocrity.” Damn right they are. The annual attempt at winning 80 games, hoping maybe they’ll catch a wave and win 90, doesn’t work. It has become a frustrating, depressing approach even for the most loyal. Neither wins nor fans are coming. No one would cry about a 2016 version of the 1997 “white flag trade.” This trade deadline and upcoming offseason is an opportunity to embrace the long view. I’d move closer David Robertson, reliever Zach Duke and perhaps outfielder Melky Cabrera and third baseman Todd Frazier. If you’re overwhelmed with an offer for Sale or left-hander Jose Quintana, well, that’s where it gets interesting. Nick Hostetler has done a nice job as the new director of amateur scouting. Drafts are now focused on finding some disciplined, accomplished college bats instead of the shiny five-tool high school lottery tickets of the past. But the White Sox are notoriously still behind in front office analytics, putting them at an information disadvantage that affects professional scouting badly. They need to invest in this area with hires and money as soon as possible, ideally before dealing either of their extremely valuable starting pitchers. It would be beneficial to have a better handle, from some new outsiders, on the quality of players/prospects they’ll be getting back in return. Chastise the juvenile Sale, but also understand the circumstances that brought us here. And then you should hope that what seems like a genuine moment of self-awareness is followed by aggressive self-improvement.

White Sox suspend Chris Sale for 5 days By Staff / CBS Chicago | July 24th, 2016 (CBS) The White Sox have suspended ace left-hander Chris Sale for five days following a clubhouse altercation prior to Saturday’s game in which he cut up team uniforms in frustration. Sale was scratched from his Saturday start against the Tigers and sent home. His five-day suspension includes Saturday, so it will run through Wednesday. Sale is eligible to come back Thursday, so he could start that night against the Cubs, though the White Sox haven’t made that official yet. White Sox general manager Rick Hahn reached the discipline on Sale after talking with executive vice president Kenny Williams and owner Jerry Reinsdorf. Sale was upset by the 1976 throwback uniforms that he viewed as uncomfortable to wear, but the problems run deeper. Sale has had his name in trade rumors lately and hasn’t been happy with how the organization has handled that matter, according to reports. “We’re all extremely disappointed that we have to deal with this issue at this time, both from the standpoint of the club as well as Chris’ perspective,” Hahn said. “It’s unfortunate that it’s become this level of an issue and a distraction, taking away from what we’re trying to accomplish on the field.” When asked, Hahn stopped short of saying that Sale was remorseful. “We both expressed remorse that it got to this point,” Hahn said. “At that point last night, I think Chris stood by his actions. Part of was makes Chris great, part of what makes Chris elite, is his passion and commitment. We’ve seen that sometimes spill out from between the white lines. “I don’t think he’s happy with being suspended. I don’t think he agrees with it, probably. At the same time, he understood, when we spoke in my office yesterday, he understood this was coming. He understood why it was coming.” This incident doesn’t affect how Sale fits with the White Sox in the big picture, Hahn said, saying he remains a team leader. “It does not change our belief that Chris Sale can help this club win a championship,” Hahn said. “It doesn’t move the needle one iota in terms of his value to this club or his value to any other club that may be interested in his services or the likelihood of him being moved or kept. “None of that stuff is impacted at all by these events.” Sale didn’t demand a trade, Hahn said. “At no point did he express the desire not to be a Chicago White Sox,” Hahn said. Hahn didn’t get into specifics of Saturday’s incident and how Sale went about cutting up the uniforms. Sale was at the center of controversy back in March as well, when he called Williams a liar during the Adam LaRoche saga, in which Williams had asked LaRoche to significantly cut back the time that he brought his 14-year-old son, Drake, around the clubhouse. LaRoche then retired. This incident didn’t have anything to do with Sale and Williams directly, as Williams wasn’t present at U.S. Cellular Field on Saturday, Hahn said.

Sale has been found himself in other dramas as well in the past few seasons, including an April 2015 incident in which he tried to enter the visiting Royals’ clubhouse and confront Yordano Ventura. Sale is 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA this season. In Sale’s absence, the White Sox called up right-hander Anthony Ranaudo from Triple-A Charlotte.

How the White Sox almost landed Jake Arrieta By Jon Greenberg / The Athletic | July 24th, 2016 Last week, I told White Sox general manager Rick Hahn I was working on a “fun” column leading up to Cubs-Sox week and needed his perspective. And then we talked about my “fun” idea last Thursday. “This one’s not so much fun,” he said. “It was fun from their point of view.” Hahn was laughing during our five-minute trip down memory lane. But White Sox fans might groan when they read what comes next. Cubs ace Jake Arrieta starts against the White Sox on Monday in the first game of the four-day Crosstown Series at U.S. Cellular Field. Three years ago, The Cell almost became his home park. Did you know that Arrieta almost pitched for the White Sox? It’s not quite an industry secret. After someone casually mentioned it to me this summer, the only mention I found was a tweet from Barstool Sports White Sox blogger Dave Williams back in January. “It’s come up from time to time,” Hahn said. It’s a classic example of the almost-trades that happen this time of year and the relationship between good fortune and long-term success. What would the Cubs’ 2015 season have been like without Arrieta? What would the Sox have done with Arrieta, Chris Sale and Jose Quintana at the top of their rotation? We’ll never have that answer, of course. What we do know is Arrieta has helped the Cubs ascend to the top of the National League, while the White Sox rummage around the margins of the American League. In 2013, the Sox were awful, en route to a 99-loss season. While the Cubs’ teardown got the headlines — they lost 96 games that season — the White Sox were losing the old-fashioned way. By June, Hahn was talking to his counterparts in Baltimore about some possible trades. The Orioles liked Jesse Crain. The Sox had some scouts on Arrieta just as he was turning a corner in the minor leagues. Crain, as you might remember, had a 0.74 ERA in 38 appearances for the White Sox that season. He made the All-Star team, though he didn’t pitch. He had a 2.4 bWAR. “He was fantastic that year, he was fantastic,” Hahn said. “Unfortunately, it was the last time he’s pitched in the big leagues.” The Sox needed to unload Crain when they had the chance. But they missed their opportunity when he suffered a right shoulder strain. “We were in conversations with Baltimore about various fits,” Hahn said. “One of them that they had interest in was Jesse Crain. One of the players we were discussing coming back to us was Jake Arrieta. It was toward the end of June and Jesse was pitching in Houston. It was a couple days in a row and he complained of some normal soreness, it seemed like the day after the third consecutive outing.”

Crain pitched 1 2/3 innings in a 4-2 win on June 17 in Houston. He had previously pitched two days in a row June 9-10. He would go on to pitch five more times that season, including back-to-backs on June 22-23 and June 28-29. Crain gave up three hits and a run in one inning against the Indians on June 29, taking the loss. It was his last major league appearance. “It was to the point with Baltimore during my next conversation with them, I explained Jesse is currently having a little fatigue right now,” Hahn said. “We aren’t certain it’s more than that, but we need to wait and see. And then a few days later, they followed back up and said we’re getting close to doing something, do you know what’s up with Crain? Jesse, at that point, had obviously not progressed and it started actually turning for the worse. “It wasn’t to the point that any deal was agreed upon or any medicals were exchanged or any specifics were nailed down,” he said. “It was just an ongoing conversation that we had to pull out of for the player’s health.” The Cubs traded for Arrieta and Pedro Strop on July 2, sending starting pitcher Scott Feldman and backup catcher Steve Clevenger to the Orioles, and the rest is history. It’s a lesson for every bad team that hangs onto their assets too long. It’s also a reminder that you don’t need to trade your All-Stars for a big return. Would the deal have gotten done if Crain hadn’t gotten injured? Maybe. But Orioles manager Buck Showalter was down on Strop and coveted Feldman. Still, Crain was pretty good. So when Arrieta turned into Bob Gibson last season, did Hahn look back on his bad fortune and imagine Arrieta on a pitching staff with Sale and Quintana? “You try to avoid those thoughts,” he said. “You try to avoid those thoughts. Looking at it from a glass half-full standpoint, it certainly is a reinforcement for our scouts and the guys that recommended we target Arrieta.” Hahn pointed out the Sox have had success with similar pitcher reclamation projects. Quintana, a six-year minor league free agent, is a prime example. So is Gavin Floyd, who had a similar backstory to Arrieta. “He and the Cubs deserve a world of credit for unlocking that talent and getting him to the level that he’s at today,” Hahn said. “We certainly would’ve liked to hope if we had acquired him, the same exact path would’ve happened. But there’s no guarantees and they’ve done a really nice job developing a clearly talented kid. I’m sure the Cubs and the Sox were not alone thinking here’s a guy who could have some upside.” No, the Sox and Cubs weren’t alone in scouting Arrieta, who was a fifth-round pick of the Orioles in 2007 and a big-time prospect. San Diego had been trying to land him, among others. Years later, Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said he never knew how close his crosstown rival was to landing Arrieta. “We evaluated Jake as a change of scenery candidate as we were scouting the buyers that year,” he said. “I know from all the phone calls I got afterward that we weren’t the only team to see him that way.” Hahn and I talked after he gave a very honest state of the team assessment to reporters last Thursday. It was one that would beget a lot of calls from his peers around the league hoping to pillage his roster. I was very sensitive to Hahn’s feelings, so I asked him straight up: Would Sale have been the No. 1 and Arrieta the 2? He laughed, at least.

“Again, it doesn’t do anybody any good for my mind to wander down that path,” Hahn said. “Who knows what other things might not have happened had we done that deal. It could have changed the course of some other things. The butterfly effect, we’ll go with that. You never know what might have happened.” The Sox did end up trading Crain at the deadline, despite his injury. They sent him to Tampa Bay for players to be named later. After the season was over, with Crain’s shoulder not recovered, they got left-hander Sean Bierman, who pitched in seven games for the Sox’s two Single-A teams in 2014 and infielder Ben Kline, who spent 2014 in the Frontier League. Not quite the same return. Arrieta thrived away from the spotlight in 2014, and then finally realized his potential by winning the Cy Young award in 2015. As for Crain, the White Sox re-signed him to a minor-league contract before the 2015 season. He pitched a little in the Arizona Fall League, though he never returned to the majors. But as Hahn said, it’s best not to think about such things.

White Sox suspend Chris Sale five days for ‘violating team rules, insubordination’ By Lauren Comitor / The Athletic | July 24th, 2016 The White Sox announced Sunday they suspended pitcher Chris Sale five days for “violating team rules, insubordination and for destroying team equipment,” general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. The suspension is retroactive to Saturday and ends Wednesday, opening the door for Sale to pitch Thursday in the final game of the Crosstown series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Before Saturday night’s game against the Tigers, in which the White Sox were scheduled to wear their 1976 throwback jerseys, Sale was scratched from his start, and the White Sox released a statement saying Sale was sent home after a “clubhouse incident.” That incident apparently involved Sale cutting up the throwback jerseys because he didn’t want to wear them, a story first reported by FanRag Sports’ Tommy Stokke. The White Sox instead wore their usual Sunday throwbacks. Hahn spoke to reporters in the pressbox Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field. He said Sale had not asked to be traded and nor did he think the rumors about Sale being on the trade block cause this outburst. It’s being portrayed as “Sale being Sale.” “He and I met late in the day for about a half hour in my office,” Hahn said. “We had a very candid conversation about his thoughts on the matter and what led to his actions, what led to his exchanges with our staff member down there and I was very candid with him about our point of view about the event and the appropriateness of his behavior and his comments. We both expressed remorse that it got to this point. At that point last night Chris stood by his actions. Part of what makes Chris great, part of what makes him elite, is his passion and commitment. We’ve seen that sometimes spill out from between the white lines. Yesterday was one of those instances and it unfortunately led to events that required discipline.” Hahn spoke to reporters about the current state of the team and the likelihood that the team will be looking to trade veterans for young talent. Naturally, Sale is a hot target, given his elite performance, his age (27) and his very modest contract. At the same time, those three factors make him more likely to stay with the Sox. But then there’s this erratic behavior.

“I don’t want to get into the specifics of an exchange,” Hahn said. “But at no point, I will say, did he express the desire not to be a Chicago White Sox. I spoke to him again this morning to inform him of the discipline. We spoke for maybe 10 minutes this morning and again, a very calm and rational discussion about the events. While he may not have agreed with the club’s perspective on this, either yesterday or with the discipline, he understood where we were coming from and why.” In normal circumstances, the starting pitcher picks the team jerseys. But obviously, this was a special case, a planned throwback night that coincided with a replica giveaway. This was an organizational effort to put on a specific night last night,” Hahn said. “It wasn’t just a decision of one individual that we are going to have this throwback. It’s something that most every organization does. It’s something we’ve done in the past. We did it with these uniforms last year. “In fact, last year you have seen some of the images, the uniforms were a little bit baggy. And this year, in Spring Training, we had a different measurement done so that these uniforms hopefully would fit a little bit better at least aesthetically. So again, there’s a lot of people. It’s not just the baseball department. It ranges from marketing to throughout the entire organization that are all together trying to put the organization in the best position to win a championship. Part of the element of being in the position to win a championship is the revenue side of the operation. And respect for their reasonable request to help enhance the revenue.” The White Sox recalled right-handed pitcher Anthony Ranaudo from Triple-A Charlotte to take Sale’s place on the roster.

White Sox suspend Chris Sale for five days after clubhouse incident By A.J. Perez / USA Today | July 24th, 2016 Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale was suspended five days for “violating team rules, for insubordination and for destroying team equipment,” the club announced on Sunday. Sale destroyed the team’s throwback jerseys ahead of Saturday’s game against the Detroit Tigers, according to media reports. The club scratched him from his start and sent him home after what the team called in a news release “a clubhouse incident.” "While we appreciate Chris’ talent and passion, there is a correct way and an incorrect way too express concerns about the team and organizational expectations,” said Rick Hahn, the White Sox's general manager and senior vice president, in a statement. Sale's suspension began Saturday and will last until Wednesday. Sale cut up the team’s throwback jerseys because he felt the collared V-neck shirts first used in 1976 were uncomfortable, according to Fox's Ken Rosenthal. With an unspecified number of jerseys destroyed, the White Sox instead wore throwback uniforms from the 1983 season. Sale has been subject to trade talks in recent weeks and this wasn’t his first-run in with White Sox management. Sale was highly critical of team president Ken Williams’ decision to bar Adam LaRoche’s son from clubhouse; LaRoche chose to retire. Sale, a five-time All-Star, has an American League high 14 wins with a 3.18 ERA and 1.01 WHIP this season. The Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox have been mentioned as potential destinations for Sale if the White Sox were to trade him. The White Sox are likely to get plenty in return for Sale. He is not only one of the most dominant pitchers in the game, but he's a relative bargain.

Sale is under contract through the end of 2017, the final two seasons of a five-year $32.5 million deal. Factoring in the club options for 2018 and 2019, Sale would earn about $38 million form 2017-19.

Chicago White Sox suspends Chris Sale for ‘destroying team equipment’ By Melissa Chan / TIME | July 24th, 2016 He reportedly cut up his team's throwback jersey The Chicago White Sox on Sunday said it has suspended Chris Sale following a clubhouse incident Saturday night in which the pitcher reportedly damaged throwback jerseys the team was scheduled to wear. Sale was given a five-day suspension, which began Saturday, for “violating team rules, for insubordination and for destroying team equipment,” White Sox Senior Vice President and General Manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. The pitcher was also fined an undisclosed amount. Officials did not specify what Sale did prior to Saturday’s game with the Detroit Tigers to warrant the suspension. The team said the incident was “non-physical in nature.” Sale was scratched from Saturday’s game and was sent home, the White Sox said in a statement. Sale reportedly was opposed to wearing a throwback version of the Chicago team’s 1976 “leisure suit” uniform and cut up his jersey and those of some of his teammates, ESPN reports. That jersey, which was designed to be tucked into a player’s pants, was often ridiculed when it was worn from 1976 until 1981, according to ESPN. “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,” Hahn said.

After uni controversy, can White Sox get Chris Sale to keep his shirt on? By Christina Kahrl / ESPN | July 24th, 2016 We all know what happened on Saturday night: Chris Sale went nuts on some throwback unis. The Chicago White Sox scratched him from his start, sent him home, suspended him for five games, and all of this happened against the backdrop of Sale being the most desirable commodity on any team on the planet available at the trade deadline. The instant default is that you wouldn’t expect much sympathy from fans for millionaires who don’t want to get into some new togs and go to work, and you’ll see plenty of that ... but there are a few bigger factors in play, some of which might even allow you to feel a little sympathy for Sale. First, let’s start with the trivial. The throwback jerseys are ugly -- like, the ugliest uniforms ever, more throwaway than throwback. I’ll disagree with Jim Caple’s ranking of worst-ever unis and just come out and say they put everything else in the shade when it comes to ugly. They’re so ugly that hipsters wouldn’t wear them ironically while bowling. In addition, it was reported that Sale didn't want to wear the uniform because it was uncomfortable. When taking that into consideration, you can understand Sale’s readiness to become the latest player to protest a throwback uni. Second, let’s remember that backdrop. Saturday night very well could have been Sale’s last start with the White Sox. Every indication is that he likes pitching for this team, in this city. Can you blame the guy for exhibiting a measure of pride, if he wanted to at least go out in style wearing a major league uniform instead of an uncomfortable pullover you’d pass over in a resale shop? And we know Sale’s a guy who doesn’t have a medium setting when it comes to intensity. From his attempt to storm the Royals' clubhouse after an on-field rumble last season in the Cell (leading to another

five-game suspension), to his publicly taking up the cudgels on behalf of Adam and Drake LaRoche this spring to call out team president Kenny Williams, we probably can say that restraint isn’t one of Sale’s more reliable virtues. Then add in the stress of dealing with the unknown -- it isn’t like Sale has ever been traded before -- and worrying about where you and your family will have to move to. None of that is fun having to work through or work around, wherever you work, but let’s be somewhat sympathetic and add it to the stress of pitching in the major leagues. But there’s another big reason why some Sox fans were almost instantly ready to take Sale’s side when he was sent home, one that goes beyond an ugly and uncomfortable throwback uniform, and has everything to do with the one thing that risks poisoning the relationship between a team and its best player. In the history of Jerry Reinsdorf-owned teams, Williams is to the White Sox what Jerry Krause was with the NBA’s Bulls: the unloved architect/apparatchik who was in charge when the team won it all, someone who probably has lifetime employment with the organization as a result. Williams outlasted Ozzie Guillen in the same way that Krause outlasted Phil Jackson (even after two three-peats), and you can bet there are plenty of fans who would have rather had it the other way around. That’s fine, but they’re not Reinsdorf, and Reinsdorf retains and rewards his front-office soldiers. All of which is why more than a few fans here in Chicago -- and more than a few journalists -- were quick to guess that this was another showdown between exec and ace after their cryptic initial announcements, and were quick to take Sale’s side. Then the full details came out and concern over a clubhouse showdown turned into a farce over ugly, uncomfortable duds. Look past the laundry, and we’re still left with a basic problem: Sale and Williams don’t mix, which makes for an uncomfortable coexistence. And when push comes to shove, over this latest stupid thing or the next stupid thing, you can bet on the White Sox -- and on Williams -- to win. When you’re an employer, you can’t let your employees chop up their work clothes. And within baseball and pro sports, throwback jerseys are part of the way they do business. Sale didn’t act professionally, and no matter how uncomfortable or ugly the uniform is, he’s paid to wear it under every circumstance on the field. This bit of needless drama makes for an uncomfortable additional factor while GM Rick Hahn shops his ace at the deadline to potentially launch the franchise’s first total rebuild since the late 1980s. Because if they don’t get that one deal that knocks their socks off, they'll have to find ways to get their ace to keep his shirt on.

Sports teams poke fun at Chris Sale over jersey saga By Rachel Marcus / ESPN | July 24th, 2016 Chris Sale is not a fan of your throwback jerseys -- or at least the threads the White Sox planned to wear on Saturday. Sale was in a reported dispute over Chicago's plans to wear 1976 throwback uniforms before he was scheduled to start on Saturday. Sale was later suspended on Sunday for five days for violating team rules. His reaction incited responses from some other teams, including minor league teams, often known for their flashy uniforms. Not to be outdone by baseball, a couple of minor league hockey teams chimed in too. Unfortunately for Sale, the very jerseys he cut up are still on sale.

White Sox suspend Chris Sale five days By Katie Strang / ESPN.com | July 24th, 2016 The Chicago White Sox have suspended staff ace Chris Sale for five days after his reported dispute over the team's uniforms for Saturday's game. "Chris has been suspended for violating team rules, for insubordination and for destroying team equipment," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said 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." Hahn addressed the media shortly after the announcement and said Sale will be required to stay away from the team during the suspension. "It's unfortunate that it's become this level of an issue and a potential distraction, taking away from what we're trying to accomplish," Hahn said. According to ESPN and multiple reports, Sale expressed displeasure over having to wear the White Sox's 1976 navy, collared throwbacks, and the matter escalated from there, culminating in a confrontation with a member of Chicago's front office. The team then decided to send Sale home from U.S. Cellular Field. FanRag Sports first reported that Sale cut up the 1976 throwbacks during batting practice so they couldn't be worn. Fox Sports reported that Sale disliked the uniforms because he thought they were uncomfortable and thought the White Sox were putting "PR and jersey sales" ahead of winning. "The only thing that matters to Chris Sale is winning," his agent, B.B. Abbott, said in a text to ESPN's Jayson Stark on Sunday. "If he perceives that something is distracting from that or being prioritized over that, he is going to have a problem with it. There is no better teammate or competitor than Chris, and there is no player that cares more about the city of Chicago and its fans than him." Manager Robin Ventura noted that this was not the first outburst from Sale, who was extremely vocal in the fallout from the Adam LaRoche incident in spring training, when friction surfaced following the club's restrictions on the amount of time LaRoche's son was allowed to spend in the clubhouse. Sale was openly critical of executive vice president Ken Williams' decision in that case. "We all know he's emotional," Ventura said. Hahn said he and Sale met Saturday to discuss what happened and the events leading up to the incident. "We both expressed remorse that it got to this point," Hahn said. "At that point last night, I think Chris stood by his actions. Part of what makes Chris great, Chris elite, is his passion and commitment. We've seen that at times spill out from between the white lines. Yesterday was one of those incidents, and unfortunately, it led to events that required discipline." Abbott said Sale and Hahn have "talked at length" about Saturday's incident and "there will not be an issue" once Sale returns from his suspension. Hahn declined to reveal much about the content of the discussion but said Sale has not requested a trade. Sale's suspension began Saturday and runs through Wednesday. The White Sox recalled right-handed pitcher Anthony Ranaudo to take Sale's roster spot during the suspension. Ventura said Sale remains one of the team's respected leaders but might have some fences to mend when he returns. "It's possible," Ventura said. "It's nothing that can't be smoothed over. This is not the first [outburst]."

Sale's agent said he doesn't think Sale has to worry about fixing things when he returns to the team. "I honestly don't think there are fences to mend," Abbott said. "He has been with the organization since he was drafted. The entire organization knows the fiber of Chris Sale. They understand the passion and fierce, competitive nature. If they are on board with prioritizing winning, there will not be an issue at all." The decision to scratch Sale on Saturday was met with rampant speculation, especially considering that the five-time All-Star has been mentioned in trade rumors in recent days. The White Sox are reportedly asking for a massive haul in return for Sale; one source told ESPN that Chicago is seeking five to seven prospects. The Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers are rumored to be among those interested. Hahn indicated that he did not feel this incident would have an effect on Sale's market value. "I want to be clear to all of you: The actions or behavior of the last 24 hours does not change in any aspect, any respect, our belief that Chris Sale can help us win a championship and win multiple championships," Hahn said. "It does not move the needle one iota in terms of his value, his value to any other club that may be interested in his services or the likelihood of him being moved or kept whatsoever. None of that stuff is impacted at all by these events." Sale is 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA this season. He had 274 strikeouts in 2015, the most in the American League. Asked if he could characterize the level of interest Sale has generated on the trade market, Hahn said: "I could, but I won't."

Chicago White Sox score two walk-off wins over Tigers on same day By Brett Smiley / FOXSports | July 24th, 2016 Chicago White Sox staff ace Chris Sale cut up the team's throwback jerseys on Saturday in perhaps the most bizarre incident in baseball this season, but the team still had games to play. Thanks to a pair of walk-off singles by Adam Eaton and Melky Cabrera, Chicago's South Side Spectacle managed to take the last two games of a four-game set against the Detroit Tigers to finish the weekend on a high note. (Check out the winning runs above). "Baseball is funny like that," said Eaton, who broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the ninth to win the game that was suspended on Saturday after eight innings due to thunderstorms.. "It will beat you down, but then it will build you back up. It's a love-hate relationship, for sure." It looked like the game regularly scheduled for Sunday would finish in less dramatic fashion but closer David Robertson gave up two taters in the ninth to blow a 4-1 lead. Melky Cabrera saved the day and Robertson ended up getting credit for a win in both games, just not the kind of win any reliever really wants "I don't deserve the second one," Robertson said. "Jose Quintana pitched his tail off again, and I went out there and screwed it all up. Three two-strike home runs is ridiculous. It's absurd that I pitched that poorly. I need to pick it up. Tough day for me, personally, but I'm really glad for the team. We needed those wins today." Meanwhile, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn is trying to figure out what to do with 6-foot-6 lefty tailor Chris Sale:

White Sox players recently protested Mariners’ clubhouse dues policy By Ken Rosenthal / FOXSports | July 24th, 2016 Chris Sale's destruction of throwback jerseys on Saturday was not the only recent act of vehement protest involving the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox players left Seattle on July 20 without paying clubhouse dues and tips, objecting to a new Mariners policy that redirects 60 percent of the dues into an account managed by the team, according to major-league sources. Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto confirmed that the White Sox were the first club to refuse payment to Seattle's visiting clubhouse manager, Jeff Bopp. However, this is not an issue driven only by the White Sox's players. Dipoto acknowledged that other clubs have reacted with "curiosity" to the Mariners' policy, and another team, the San Francisco Giants, quickly reversed an adjustment to its own procedures last season when visiting players complained. The players' association, seeking uniformity in clubhouse protocols -- as well as safeguards against management intrusion into the clubhouse space -- has raised the issues in collective bargaining, sources said. The current labor agreement expires Dec. 1. Clubhouse attendants long have been part of baseball's hidden fabric, serving players' various needs. The players, in turn, consider "clubbies" an extension of the player fraternity and often tip them generously. The White Sox players withheld their money because Mariners management unilaterally entered a financial relationship that historically has existed between only players and "clubbies," sources said. Strong reactions by White Sox players to perceived injustices are nothing new, as Sale's eruption over throwback jerseys and subsequent five-game suspension by the team again demonstrated. During spring training, Sale confronted executive vice president Ken Williams and criticized him publicly after the team refused to allow first baseman Adam LaRoche's son, Drake, to remain a consistent presence with the club. Other players also were upset, and LaRoche retired over the decision, forfeiting his $13 million salary. The dispute between the White Sox players and Mariners management fits the recent pattern. A group of players, including Sale and player representative Adam Eaton, met with Mariners assistant general manager Jeff Kingston during the team's recent visit to Seattle, expressing concern that the majority of their dues were going to the team and not directly to Bopp. The Mariners revised their policy last offseason before hiring Bopp to fill their opening for a visiting clubhouse manager. "Jeff walked them through the detail of what we're doing," Dipoto said. "There has been some curiosity with other teams in the league, but nobody reacted the way the White Sox did. The fact that they decided to leave town without paying, clearly it's their choice. They don't have to. There's no rule that says you must." Sale and Eaton, through their agents, declined comment.

Most teams allow the visiting clubhouse manager to handle dues as well as individual tips. The clubhouse manager uses the money to purchase food and other items for the players and redistributes a percentage of the tips to his assistants. The Mariners' policy allows Bopp to receive 40 percent of the dues plus all of the tips, in addition to his salary from the club, Dipoto said. The other 60 percent of the dues helps pay for food and the salaries of clubhouse assistants. Players typically pay $50 a day in dues when on the road and tip above that. Dipoto said that the Mariners' portion does not cover the team's costs and that the club implemented the policy in part because it wanted to manage the hours of underage employees and their overtime. The Giants, for different reasons, had a run-in with visiting players early last season after they hired a new visiting clubhouse manager, Abe Silvestri, who had previously been director of baseball operations at Washington State. Silvestri needed to move his family to San Francisco, so the Giants gave him a significant increase in salary, GM Bobby Evans said. In exchange, the club required Silvestri to direct all of the tip money to his staff. Evans changed that stipulation early in the season, after the Giants' first home series against the Rockies. "Visiting players didn't give an explanation to Abe why they weren't paying dues," Evans said. "After the fact, we were given a heads-up from other teams coming in. So, we made him tip-eligible." "The players didn't fully understand. We were really trying to help make the experience even better for the players, create a deeper level of accountability and process so they would be more assured of getting their money's worth." Sounds simple, but players do not always see it that way. To be continued in collective bargaining.

Chicago White Sox suspend Chris Sale for 5 days By Associated Press | July 24th, 2016 CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox were set to wear throwback uniforms. Chris Sale had other ideas. The White Sox suspended their ace five days without pay for destroying collared throwback uniforms the team was scheduled to wear. The team announced the punishment on Sunday after Sale was scratched from his scheduled start and sent home the previous night. The suspension comes to $250,000 of his $9.15 million salary. He was also fined about $12,700 - the cost of the destroyed jerseys - according to a person familiar with the penalty. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized. "Obviously we're all extremely disappointed that we have to deal with this issue at this time both from the standpoint of the club as well as Chris' perspective," general manager Rick Hahn said. "It's unfortunate that it has become this level of an issue and potential distraction taking away from what we're trying to accomplish on the field." Sale was not expected at the ballpark on Sunday. He is eligible to return Thursday against the crosstown Cubs at Wrigley Field, though Hahn would not say if the left-hander would start that game.

The Major League Baseball Players Association declined comment, spokesman Greg Bouris said. Sale could ask the union to file a grievance. FanRag Sports first reported Sale was protesting the 1976-style jerseys, which were navy and sported unusual collars on a hot and humid night. Sale then cut up an unknown number of jerseys before the game and was told to leave the stadium. With not enough usable 1976 jerseys available, the White Sox wore white throwback uniforms from the 1983 season. The incident comes with the White Sox in a tailspin after a 23-10 start and Sale's name circulating in trade rumors. "The actions or behaviors of the last 24 hours does not change in any aspect, any respect, our belief that Chris Sale can help this club win a championship and win multiple championships," Hahn said. "It does not move the needle one iota in terms of his value to this club, his value to any other club that may be interested in his services or the likelihood of him being moved or kept whatsoever. None of that stuff is impacted at all by these events." The incident does raise some questions in general about throwback uniforms, how players feel about them and whether they should be forced to wear jerseys that aren't comfortable - particularly starting pitchers. "If I'm playing with Chris Sale I want him to pitch," Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez said. "If he wants to play with no shirt, we play with no shirt. I just want him to pitch." New York Yankees pitcher Chasen Shreve said: "Pitchers like their stuff. Me, it doesn't bother me, but for him, obviously it does. It's crazy. I don't think I'm that bad." White Sox pitcher James Shields wouldn't comment on whether players should be made to wear throwback jerseys. But he did say: "I don't really mind the throwbacks. I haven't had any issues with that." Manager Robin Ventura said players occasionally wearing uniforms they don't like comes with the job. "But you wear it," he said. "If you want to rip it after, you can rip it up after. I've seen guys rip it up after." Hahn said throwback uniforms the White Sox wore last season were a bit baggy so the team took measurements in spring training so they would fit the players better. He also mentioned the money the uniforms generate. "Part of the element of being in position to win a championship is the revenue side of the operation and respect for their reasonable requests to increase revenue," Hahn said. This wasn't the first flare-up involving the 27-year-old Sale, who is known for his competitive streak and strict training regimen. He was openly critical of team executive Ken Williams during spring training when he said Drake LaRoche, the son of teammate Adam LaRoche, would no longer be allowed in the clubhouse. Adam LaRoche retired as a result, and Sale hung the LaRoches' jerseys in his locker. He was also suspended five games by Major League Baseball last season for his role in a brawl at Kansas City that started with a flare-up between teammate Adam Eaton and the Royals' Yordano Ventura. Sale went to the Royals clubhouse after he got tossed and was seen pounding on the door.

Hahn said the punishment was unrelated to previous incidents. He also said the two had a "very candid" meeting in his office with Sale after the pitcher had some exchanges with staff members in the clubhouse and that both "expressed remorse." They spoke again on Sunday. "At that point last night Chris stood by his actions," Hahn said. "Part of what makes Chris great, part of what makes him elite, is his passion and commitment. We've seen that sometimes spill out from between the white lines. Yesterday was one of those instances and it unfortunately led to events that required discipline."

White Sox take pair from Tigers By Associated Press | July 24th, 2016 CHICAGO (AP) — Melky Cabrera drove in Adam Eaton with a game-ending single in the ninth inning to lead the Chicago White Sox to a 5-4 victory hours after they suspended ace Chris Sale for five days on Sunday afternoon. The White Sox beat the Tigers, 4-3, earlier in the day on a single by Eaton in the ninth after play was suspended because of rain the previous night. Robertson got the win in that one and picked up another victory in the scheduled game despite a rough ninth inning. The big news Sunday was Sale getting suspended and fined one day after he was scratched from his scheduled start and sent home. The punishment was handed down after he destroyed collared throwback uniforms the team was scheduled to wear in this game. He is eligible to return Thursday against the crosstown Cubs at Wrigley Field, though general manager Rick Hahn would not say if the left-hander would start that game. Robertson did his best to help the White Sox get two victories on Sunday. He came in with a 4-1 lead after Jose Quintana dominated into the seventh and Eaton hit a three-run homer. Robertson (2-2) gave up a leadoff homer to Nick Castellanos and back-to-back solo drives to pinch hitters Tyler Collins and Jarrod Saltalamacchia with two out. Eaton led off the bottom half with a walk against Bruce Rondon (3-2), moved up on a sacrifice by Tim Anderson and came around on Cabrera’s sharp single to left. That gave the White Sox a four-game split against the playoff-contending Tigers after dropping eight of nine. Quintana pitched three-hit ball over 6 2/3 scoreless innings, and Eaton made it 4-0 with his three-run homer against Anibal Sanchez in the second. Detroit’s Andrew Romine hit a solo drive off Nate Jones in the eighth. Sanchez allowed four runs and 10 hits in six innings. Andrew Romine hit a solo homer in the eighth against Nate Jones, but Victor Martinez struck out with runners on first and second to end that rally. The White Sox were forced to go with their bullpen after Sale got sent home Saturday, and the game was suspended after eight innings when it was interrupted three times by thunderstorms.