It’s hard to overstate how incredible the 2024 season for Chris Sale was, but let’s try anyway because it deserves every ounce of the spotlight it’s getting. The Atlanta Braves pitcher didn’t just bounce back—he launched himself back into the baseball stratosphere.
He was bagging accolades faster than most can read through them. From Comeback Player of the Year to a Cy Young Award, he carved his name into one of the most decorated seasons in recent memory.
A Season for the Ages: Sale’s Dominance in 2024
MLB.com’s Will Leitch is always a keen observer of the game’s brightest stars. He recognized Sale’s resurgence in his top-10 list of signature players from 2024, placing him fourth.
Sale beat out former Brave and World Series MVP Freddie Freeman, no small feat given Freeman’s legendary postseason heroics. But Sale wasn’t just a name on a list; he was a story of triumph over adversity, making his achievements shine all the brighter.
At 35 years old, a time when most pitchers are battling Father Time or contemplating life beyond the mound, Sale turned in a career year. His numbers are a jaw-dropping testament to his excellence: an 18-3 record, a 2.38 ERA, 225 strikeouts, a 1.01 WHIP, and a 2.09 FIP over 29 starts.
When you add that to that a 174 ERA+, you see why he was a unanimous choice (26 of 30 first-place votes) for the Cy Young Award.
The Comeback of a Lifetime for Chris Sale
But it wasn’t just about the stats. Sale was the beating heart of a Braves rotation plagued by injuries and uncertainty. His durability (177 2/3 innings pitched) and dominance anchored a team battling serious injury problems. He has proved to be a leader on top of being an elite pitcher.
The backdrop makes this narrative even richer: a veteran who contemplated retirement and faced endless questions about his durability found not just his form but perhaps the best version of himself.
The Braves took a gamble trading for Sale, and it paid off in gold—literally, with a Gold Glove among his haul of honors.
Looking Ahead: Sale’s Role in 2025
With the 2025 season around the corner, Sale is ready to make his sixth Opening Day start. This will be his first with the Braves, but has done so three times with the White Sox and twice with the Red Sox.
For a player who seemed on the brink of calling it quits, he showed serious resilience and skill. The perfect fit with a team that knows how to bring out the best always helps, too.
Chris Sale isn’t just back; he’s better than ever. And baseball is all the better for it.
