White Sox ace Chris Sale motivated by winning, not money

May 22, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; (Editors Note: Multiple exposure used in this image.) Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) pitches against the New York Yankees during the sixth inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Sure, all of us want what we are worth when it comes to our respective jobs and careers, but isn’t is a bit of fresh air when you read about a professional athlete who is motivated by winning and not money?

Enter Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale, and you have that player.

In a recent article by Scott Merkin on whitesox.com, he quotes Sale on all the big contracts being handed out by MLB teams, including his own, who went on a bit of a spending spree this offseason:

"“My eyes bug out, my jaw drops and I’m like, ‘Holy Cow. But I don’t need the biggest contract. I want that big shiny [World Series] trophy at the end … We have the team to do that. I don’t want the payday. I want the celebration.”"

The article states Sale will be paid $6 million in ’15.

This is just something good to see. It seems Sale knows he’s got it made in life with his current contract, and most likely knows once his current five-year deal is done he’ll be more than paid enough money to live a very comfortable life, as will his kids and their kids.

With Sale having over 200 strikeouts in ’14 (and he missed basically a month on the DL) I can’t wait to see what he brings to the rotation in ’15, because if he stays healthy, his ’15 season could be very special. Remember last year Sale was third in the AL Cy Young award voting … maybe he can improve on that finish?

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If Sale were to have the opposite view he has on the money and contract he has, I wouldn’t blame him either, but it is such a humble sight to read about a MLB player who would rather have “the shiny trophy at the end” over the overflowing bank account.

This, White Sox fans, is one of those type of players, and as a person who cheers for this ball club on a daily basis, I’m proud to have Sale as the ace of the White Sox.