Ex-White Sox ace Sale finally realizes dream - pitching in World Series

During his seven-year run with the White Sox, Chris Sale was many things.

The lanky left-hander was a Cy Young caliber starting pitcher, a fierce competitor.

He was loyal to his teammates, and not afraid to fire on the front office.

Sale was obsessed with winning, but the White Sox finished above .500 only twice during his stay and they never made it to the playoffs.

He was temperamental, and when Sale shredded the throwback uniforms the Sox were scheduled to wear before his start in July of 2016 - earning a seven-day suspension in the process - it was a clear signal he wanted to be traded.

Sale got his wish, moving to the Red Sox in December of '16. In return, the White Sox got a package of prospects from Boston, headed by Yoan Moncada, Michael Kopech and Luis Alexander Basabe.

The 29-year-old ace has always longed to pitch in the World Series, and that wish will be realized Tuesday night when Sale starts for Boston in Game 1.

"Like I said many times before, that's what we sign up for," Sale told reporters Monday. "This is what we prepare for all year, a chance to win a championship, and that's where we're at right now. We're all excited, ready to go."

Somewhat lost in Sale's competitive makeup is his sense of humor.

During the 2014 season, he was given a challenging word to use postgame after every start. From 'juxtapose' to 'nascence' to 'cacophony,' Sale worked the words into his interviews.

Former White Sox teammates Adam Dunn and John Danks initially motivated Sale to step up his vocabulary game.

"I've had a good veteran group of core guys to kind of teach me the way," Sale said during the 2014 season. "And learn to have fun with it, too. If that's a word of the day, so be it."

Sale's latest round of high jinks came last week, when the Red Sox were playing the Astros in the American League championship series.

After starting Game 1 against Houston, Sale was hospitalized with a stomach ailment. He was asked about it on Saturday.

"I had irritation from a belly-button ring," Sale said. "Just constantly taking it in and out, causing irritation and got a rash down there."

He was joking, but Sale said he'll be seriously focused when he takes the mound in Game 1 of the World Series at Fenway Park.

"There's no holding back now," Sale said Monday. "My job's been the same since the first day I got here. You hand me the ball when you want me to throw it, and take it out of my hand when you want me to stop. That's what I'm going with."

Sale has another solid season (12-4, 2.11 ERA), but he was limited to 7 starts after the all-star break due to inflammation in his throwing shoulder.

He's made 3 appearances (2 starts) in the postseason and has allowed 4 runs on 6 hits and 6 walks in 10⅓ innings.

"Having these extra few days has been nice to be able to get back on that routine, get a little more normalcy back into it," Sale said.