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Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale is tin-foil hat level paranoid. Paranoid enough to think the Detroit Tigers had a binoculars carrying spy in center field stealing signs. So he plunked Victor Martinez in retaliation.
Of course, the benches emptied.
Benches clear in Detroit after Chris Sale hits Victor Martinez with pitch: http://t.co/cGbp508CJT pic.twitter.com/tqJmch9WIJ
— MLB (@MLB) September 24, 2014
Once things calmed down at Comerica Park, Binoculargate broke out on social media. In part thanks to their 6-1 victory, the Tigers are now playing for Binoctober!
Ian Kinsler with perhaps the best troll job of all-time right here. pic.twitter.com/KxXFPAbgd7
— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) September 24, 2014
"Curious George watches Chris Sale Pitch" was one of my favorite childhood books. pic.twitter.com/VhEMreoB60
— Bless You Boys (@blessyouboys) September 24, 2014
@tigers #Iankinsler #chrissale #binoculars Just getting knocks, with his knock-ulars. #detroittigers #detroit pic.twitter.com/behBNjxiVa
— John Pinch (@Jpinch44) September 24, 2014
I bet Chris Sale feels violated, having something private of his intercepted by a third party. Now here's Justin Verlander to pitch
— Matt Sussman (@suss2hyphens) September 24, 2014
Get out the binoculars, the Tigers are *clearly* up to something.
— Catherine Slonksnis (@CSlonksnis) September 24, 2014
remember when chris sale was the nosy neighbor on "bewitched" pic.twitter.com/TotPxFrV76
— josh (@Whoabot) September 24, 2014
See, that's funny @CMo_27. pic.twitter.com/CfWXhvDVzx
— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) September 24, 2014
The Detroit Tigers: We Play For #Binoctober
— mikewithbats (@mike_is_bored) September 24, 2014
There was more ridiculousness from Chris Sale after the game, denying his in-game histrionics were about the tipping of signs.
Sale on binocular motion: "I did? I don't remember that, but if I did, I was just goofing off and trying to keep things light in the dugout"
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) September 24, 2014
Sale denies that it was about signs stolen. Said fan was wearing him out while warming up. That's who he said was pointing to.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) September 24, 2014
Brad Asumus found nothing funny in Sale's actions, shredding him during his post-game press conference.
Brad Ausmus on Victor Martinez being hit by a pitch: "It was just weak on (Chris) Sale's part."
— Chris Iott (@Chris_Iott) September 24, 2014
Ausmus said Sale hitting VMart was "weak" and notion he has someone stealing signs is "ludicrous." Tigers know that was Sale's accusation.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) September 24, 2014
Ausmus: "I'm sure Victor didn't have someone in stands at US Cellular when he hit the home run off him" there.
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) September 24, 2014
The full transcription of Ausmus' comments on Sale.
Ausmus on Sale's suspicion that the Tigers were stealing signs. pic.twitter.com/ySNMe33nm8
— Catherine Slonksnis (@CSlonksnis) September 24, 2014
At that point, the White Sox closed ranks and shut up.
Chris Sale, Paul Konerko and Robin Ventura met in manager's office. Sale, Ventura had no further comment per #WhiteSox media relations.
— Dan Hayes (@CSNHayes) September 24, 2014