During the previous offseason, the Atlanta Braves made a notable move by acquiring Chris Sale from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for infielder Vaughn Grissom. As part of the deal, the Red Sox also sent $17 million to the Braves to help offset Sale’s contract. Sale’s final season with Boston in 2023 was marked by a 6-5 record and a 4.30 ERA over 20 starts, a performance that came after he had struggled with injuries in previous seasons, including missing the entire 2020 campaign. Over the final years of his Red Sox tenure, Sale was plagued by injury issues, limiting his time on the mound.
However, things took a dramatic turn when Sale joined the Braves for the 2024 season. The veteran pitcher not only stayed healthy, but he also thrived in his new environment. He made 29 appearances, compiling an impressive 18-3 record with a 2.38 ERA— the best in MLB. He also led the National League with 225 strikeouts, and his dominant performance earned him the Pitching Triple Crown for the NL, as his 18 wins were the most in the league. His remarkable year didn’t stop there; Sale was awarded the NL Cy Young Award, the Gold Glove Award, and was named the NL Comeback Player of the Year. Additionally, he made his eighth career All-Star Game appearance, capping off what was a historic season.
Reflecting on his incredible turnaround, Sale shared on the Baseball Isn’t Boring Podcast that his 2024 season almost didn’t happen. “I thought that it was gonna be my last year, so I went into that offseason on a mission like ‘one more year left,'” Sale confessed. “Cause in my mind, I wasn’t walking away from baseball, I was walking away from getting hurt.” His mindset heading into the season was that of a player determined to make his last season count, but instead of retiring, Sale turned things around in a spectacular fashion.
Now, instead of ending his career, the 35-year-old pitcher is gearing up for another season with the Braves in 2025, following an outstanding 2024 campaign. It will be exciting to watch how Sale builds upon his incredible success in the upcoming season and how he continues to perform at the highest level after overcoming so many challenges. His transformation from nearly retiring to dominating on the mound is a testament to his resilience and dedication to the game.
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