Sale bothered by PEDs in baseball: 'We're role models'
Chris Sale is pleading that his coworkers respect the game for the sake of the next generation of ball players looking up to them.
The Chicago White Sox ace, who is off to a 5-0 start with a 1.66 ERA this season, spoke up Saturday in the wake of the PED-laden suspensions handed down to Miami Marlins star Dee Gordon, and Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Chris Colabello.
“Players have to be smarter and have more respect for the game," Sale told the Chicago Sun-Times' Daryl Van Schouwn. "We’re role models. What we do sets the tone for the next generation. The generation before us set the tone for us.
"Hopefully we can be that generation to take the next step to make it better for the 13 and 14-year-old kids out there busting their tails to be where we’re at."
The initial joint drug program was implemented by former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig. On March 28, 2014, players and owners announced that drug penalties for a first testing violation was 80 games, a second offense was 162 contests.
Either way, it doesn't appear as though the new ruling is slowing down the rate in which players are using PEDs.
PED bans (MLB) since March 28, 2014
| Player | Position | Date (Year) | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Rollins | LHP | March 27 (2015) | 80 |
| Ervin Santana | RHP | April 3 (2015) | 80 |
| Jenrry Mejia | RHP | April 11 (2015) | 80 |
| Andrew McKirahan | LHP | April 20 (2015) | 80 |
| Jenrry Mejia | RHP | July 28 (2015) | 162 |
| Cody Stanley | C | Sept. 12 (2015) | 80 |
| Jenrry Mejia | RHP | Feb. 12 (2016) | Permanent |
| Abraham Almonte | OF | Feb. 26 (2016) | 80 |
| Daniel Stumpf | LHP | April 14 (2016) | 80 |
| Chris Colabello | 1B | April 22 (2016) | 80 |
| Dee Gordon | 2B | April 29 (2016) | 80 |
Both Gordon and Colabello are first-time offenders, netting 80-game bans. Sale said he believes everyone is on the same page, but it's a matter of getting on the same playing field, which isn't the case right now.
“I just hope that we can eventually get to where we want to be," Sale added. “Where everyone’s integrity and character is not questioned."