Chicago White Sox Suspends Chris Sale for ‘Destroying Team Equipment’

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.