Maddon drops epic pun in response to Sale's jersey-cutting incident
When Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon learned of the Chris Sale jersey-cutting drama that engulfed the White Sox clubhouse Saturday, the 62-year-old offered some sharp insight into the pathology of Sale's tantrum, which, he suggested, was the product of the team's struggles and the incessant trade rumors surrounding their 27-year-old ace.
"Obviously, it's only going to occur if your team’s struggling a bit also. If you're doing well that doesn't happen," Maddon told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times on Sunday. "From a manager's perspective, it's not as difficult. The player himself, and then the inner politics of the clubhouse, that's where it becomes more difficult.
Related: Hahn: Sale's actions don't change his value to White Sox
For reportedly cutting up the throwback uniforms the White Sox were supposed to wear Saturday - Sale, who was scheduled to pitch, found them uncomfortable - the five-time All-Star received a five-day suspension and received a fine. Maddon, though, empathizes with Sale, and used an interesting turn of phrase to articulate how trade rumors can wear on an individual.
“You don't even know what those conversations sound like and how that cuts at the fabric of what you're attempting to do. No pun intended.
"I know it was entertaining from a distance," Maddon continued. "I'm sure being in the organization not so much. And I get that. I've never heard that one before."
Sale, by the way, is scheduled to pitch against Maddon's Cubs on Thursday night.