There is a story that has become a staple of the reputation of Chris Sale. The Braves ace recently opened up about the infamous 2016 incident that led to his suspension after shredding Chicago White Sox throwback jerseys.
Appearing on The Compound podcast, hosted by Ian Happ, Zack Short, and Dakota Mekkes, Sale finally detailed the chain of events that led him to grab a knife and take drastic measures.
Chris Sale and the Jersey Clashed
In July 2016, the White Sox were set to don their 1976 throwback uniforms—complete with large, floppy collars reminiscent of the disco era. Sale, however, had strong feelings about these jerseys. The team had worn them the year before, and he hated every minute.
He wasn’t alone in his distaste, but Sale’s frustration went deeper than fashion. To him, the jerseys represented a distraction from the game. As a fierce competitor, he believed such distractions could affect the team’s performance. When the organization declined his request to wear the 1983 throwbacks instead, Sale reached a boiling point.
The Destruction Begins
Chris Sale arrived early for his start that day and was immediately dismayed to see the 1976 jerseys hanging in the clubhouse. He voiced his concerns to the clubhouse manager one last time, pleading for the team to switch. The response was the same: “No.”
Determined to take matters into his own hands, Sale grabbed a knife and sliced his jersey down the middle. He reasoned that the team might switch to an alternative if his jersey was ruined. Sale didn’t anticipate that the team would have extra jerseys ready.
Realizing he had only solved part of the problem, Sale made a bold calculation. The team might have a few extras, but they surely didn’t have 26 spares for the entire roster. He returned to the clubhouse and proceeded to shred nearly every jersey in sight, leaving just four intact. The strategy worked—sort of. The White Sox switched to their 1983 throwbacks, but Sale was promptly sent home and suspended for five games.
A Legendary Reputation
The incident became a defining moment in Sale’s career. Zack Short, who now shares a clubhouse with Chris Sale on the Braves, admitted he was initially intimidated by the lefty’s reputation but quickly realized he had misjudged him. Atlanta better be careful on their jersey selection with this 2024 All-MLB First Team Pitcher watching.
You can watch the interview below, but the story begins just over 20 minutes in.
