Will Sale be back in comfort zone after rejoining White Sox?
Ed Farmer played for the Chicago White Sox from 1979-81, so he never wore the actual 1976 uniforms that Chris Sale made so infamous over the weekend.
But Farmer did wear the collared uniform tops with the Sox that were the same as 1976. And like the '76 style, they were untucked.
"I had no problem with them," said Farmer, now a radio broadcaster for the White Sox. "I'm not going to say I liked the collars because I didn't. But once I got used to the tops not being tucked in, they were really comfortable. And they were really light, just like this piece of paper."
Hall of Famer Rich "Goose" Gossage was on the White Sox's 1976 team, but the only thing he resented was the players having to wear shorts in three games that season.
"We sat around and we were so embarrassed and laughing at each other," Gossage said on the Waddle and Silvy radio show (AM-1000). "But we had a lot of fun. The tops, they were the most comfortable uniforms I think I've ever worn. The pants moved up and down your leg, no binding, and nothing was attached."
In an interview with mlb.com, Sale explained why he cut up the 1976 throwbacks, drawing a five-day suspension in the process.
"They ('76 uniforms) are uncomfortable and unorthodox," Sale said. "I didn't want to go out there and not be at the top of my game in every aspect that I need to be in. Not only that, but I didn't want anything to alter my mechanics. There's a lot of different things that went into it. Looking bad had absolutely zero to do with it. Nothing."
The White Sox first wore the 1976 throwbacks last year, but Carlos Rodon drew the start in the one game they were used.
Hearing some complaints after the game, the Sox made alterations for this year's '76 throwback game, which was supposed to be Saturday against the Tigers.
"Last year, you have seen some of the images, the uniforms were a little bit baggy," general manager Rick Hahn said. "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. 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."
Sale returns Thursday night to start against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The White Sox are not expecting any drama before their best pitcher takes the mound.
"Chris is a good kid who has a good heart who does a lot of things that nobody sees with kids and giving them the time," pitching coach Don Cooper said. "On top of all of that, he's a quality pitcher, a high-level pitcher. Listen, I do a lot of things and say a lot of things, I never say something to hurt someone or anything like that, but when I do I feel bad about it.
"So I'm the first one that wants forgiveness. With all the time, conversations we've had with Chris, it's easy for me to forgive and move on. He's coming tomorrow and that's going to be my approach. Go out, let's pitch again and let's get going. He's a passionate guy about a lot of different things."