Mar 10, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) pitches in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The White Sox recently debuted a new fan experience for games with Chris Sale starting on the bump. Sale, the left-handed starter for the Sox, went 11-14 with a 3.07 ERA as a starter in 2013 – a drop off from his 17-8 record and 3.05 ERA in 2012. But do not let the record fool you. The casual White Sox fan will look at this record and wonder, what gives?
Sale is the best starting pitcher in the Sox rotation with 226 strike-outs and an All-Star showing from 2013. Therefore, it is no wonder why the White Sox are creating a whole section for the star. The “K-Zone” will be in section 154 at The Cell on days with Chris Sale starting. $20 gets the fan a t-shirt and red sign with a giant, white “K” to raise when the third ranked strikeout leader in the AL from last year adds to his numbers this season. To go along with the new section, upgrades to menus and food options around the ballpark were also announced, highlighted by the new bacon-on-a-stick.
Sale has been one of the most successful starting pitchers in the league over the past two seasons. Luckily, the Sox have realized that they have a possible star in Chris Sale and will have him in the starting rotation for the foreseeable future. After signing at 5-year $32.5 Million contract extension with the Sox, the front office will have one of the best pitchers in the league to build around, which is more important to the White Sox faithful as they look forward to a future where the White Sox are playoff contenders once again.
While the White Sox faithful look forward to the start of the 2014 season, a deal to sit in the lower section like this is hard to come by. With a rather empty Cell most of last year, this is, in my opinion, a great way to get fans in the seats and see Chris Sale go to work.