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Sale recalls whirlwhind of emotions on Draft day

SEATTLE -- Chris Sale remembers the 2010 First-Year Player Draft because of the whirlwind of personal emotions.

The talented left-hander was projected to go as high as No. 3 or No. 4 in numerous mock drafts, but he instead fell to the White Sox at No. 13 in the first round. That slip clearly worked to Sale's advantage. He was pitching in relief for the White Sox two months after he was selected and is a rotation stalwart for the South Siders.

"Yeah, that day was full of mixed emotions," Sale said. "I was excited for one. Obviously, it was a great day. Myself and my friends and family thought I was going to go a little bit higher than I did, but it ended up working out a lot better than if I would have gone higher. Who knows where I would be now and what I would be doing?"

When asked why he slipped a few notches, Sale pointed to his slender build as a reason that might have scared off possible suitors. He laughed at the idea that it was a signability issue, pointing out that he was engaged, had a child and was ready to go for "a case of beer and a bus ticket."

"Teams will do what they want to do. It's almost they don't know until they are on the clock sometimes who they are going to take," Sale said. "You say you are going to take this guy, but this team took this guy so now this guy is falling to us. It's kind of a crazy day. Overall it was really fun. I enjoyed it."

Sale wasn't the only one. Prior to Tuesday night's baseball action, Courtney Hawkins put forth the following tweet.

"A year ago today I was drafted by @whitesox and a dream came true," Hawkins wrote. "My life changed and knowing I'm truly blessed."

Hawkins was the 13th pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, and while battling through a left rotator cuff injury and early struggles, he has knocked out 10 homers in 95 at-bats, including two on Tuesday.

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin.
Read More: Chicago White Sox, Chris Sale