Chris Sale voted ‘Face of the White Sox’ on MLB Network

Jul 15, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League pitcher Chris Sale (49) of the Chicago White Sox throws a pitch in the fourth inning during the 2014 MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

It was announced on Monday afternoon on the MLB Network that Chris Sale was voted as the “Face of the Franchise” for the Chicago White Sox.

Sale, the left-handed ace of the pitching staff, has been on the White Sox since 2010, as he was drafted by the White Sox with the 13th overall selection that year.

Four others received votes for the White Sox, including first baseman/AL Rookie of the Year Jose Abreu, centerfielder Adam Eaton, recently retired White Sox first baseman/designated hitter Paul Konerko and announcer Ken “Hawk” Harrelson.

Sale was selected to the All-Star game this past season (by the fans final vote), plus he finished in third place for the AL Cy Young award for his performance during the ’14 season. Sale has been selected to the All-Star game the past three seasons. The LHP has been in the Top 6 of the AL Cy Young award voting the past three seasons.

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I have no problem with Sale being the face of the franchise because I believe he’s the best pitcher on the roster, and maybe even the best player in the organization. That honor would be between Sale or Abreu as the best player on the White Sox.

Sale has represented the White Sox very well during his tenure with the organization, on and off the field. He plays with a fierce competitiveness and is exciting to watch every fifth day.

On the field in ’14, the 25-year old Sale finished with a 2.17 ERA in 174.0 innings. In 26 starts (he missed nearly a month with a left flexor injury in May) he also collected 208 strikeouts and finished with a 12-4 record. Sale the past three seasons has totaled 626 strikeouts. The ace of the White Sox also led the majors with a 178 ERA+ and 10.8 K/9.

Sale was (and still is) must-watch TV each time he took the mound for the White Sox last summer, and is a great representative for the White Sox to have as a “Face of the Franchise.” White Sox fans should be proud there is a player the caliber of Sale on the roster.