Chris Sale on PEDs in MLB: ‘We need to be better role models’

BALTIMORE – It bothers Chris Sale that performance-enhancing drugs are still an issue in major league baseball. The White Sox ace left-hander loves the game too much to see its integrity compromised, where users have an unfair advantage over those who don’t.

“I just hope that we can eventually get to where we want to be,’’ Sale told the Sun-Times Saturday. “Where everyone’s integrity and character is not questioned.’’

After Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon was suspended 80 games for testing positive to two PEDs, shortly after Blue Jays first baseman Chris Colabello was given an 80-game PED suspension, A’s closer and player representative Sean Doolittle called for stiffer penalties.

“Guys are [angry],” Doolittle said. “They want players to be more accountable for their actions. They want a more level playing field.’’

Sale said he prefers to keep his views on stiffer penalties to himself.

“But for the sake of the game, and where we want to go with it, we need to clean it up,’’ he said. “We need to be better role models, have better character, be better people, rise above any temptation we might have.”

Sale, a perennial Cy Young candidate who is off to one of his better starts with a 5-0 record and 1.66 ERA, is scheduled to start the Sox’ series finale in Baltimore on Sunday afternoon.

“I think everyone is on the same page. We all want to be on the same playing field. I don’t think it’s too much to ask.”

“Major League Baseball is doing an unbelievable job trying to make that happen,” he said. “Players have to be smarter and have more respect for the game. We’re role models. What we do sets the tone for the next generation. The generation before us set the tone for us. Hopefully we can be that generation to take the next step to make it better for the 13- and 14-year-old kids out there busting their tails to be where we’re at.’’