Chris Sale is back, and what a return it has been! The Atlanta Braves pitcher was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year for the 2024 season, and let’s just say the recognition is well-deserved.
Sale didn’t just make a quiet comeback—he made a historic one, cementing his place among baseball’s elite with a season that felt straight out of a Hollywood script.
The Comeback Story: Five Years in the Making
Let’s rewind a bit, shall we? For the better part of five years, Sale’s career was defined more by injuries than by strikeouts. He underwent Tommy John surgery, battled through setbacks, and even suffered a bike accident. When he managed to pitch, he wasn’t the same guy who had once been a perennial All-Star. Fans wondered if they’d ever see the dominant Chris Sale again.
Enter 2024. Sale didn’t just rebound—he roared back into form, showing everyone why he was once feared on the mound. But this wasn’t just a “good” comeback; it was one for the record books.
A Season to Remember
The numbers are jaw-dropping. Sale led the National League in wins (18), ERA (2.38), and strikeouts (225), earning him the first NL Triple Crown in over a decade—Clayton Kershaw was the last to pull it off in 2011. And that’s just the beginning. He also dominated in advanced stats, leading in FIP (2.09), ERA+ (174), strikeouts per nine innings (11.4), and home runs allowed per nine innings (0.5). That’s not just good; that’s video-game-level dominance.
For his efforts, Sale earned his eighth career All-Star nod, his first since 2018. He picked up multiple honors this offseason, including the Players Choice Awards for Outstanding Pitcher of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year. He even snagged the Sporting News Comeback Player award and his first-ever Gold Glove. The accolades just keep rolling in!
The Cy Young Question
Now, here’s the big one: the Cy Young Award. Sale has been a finalist before, but the coveted trophy has always eluded him. With the kind of season he just put together, could 2024 finally be the year? It’s looking more and more likely. While the competition is tough, Sale’s historic performance gives him a strong case to take home the ultimate prize for a pitcher.
What’s clear is that Chris Sale isn’t just back—he’s better than ever. This season wasn’t just about bouncing back from adversity; it was about reminding the baseball world of what he’s capable of when he’s at his best. For Braves fans and baseball fans in general, watching Sale dominate again was nothing short of magical. Stay tuned—this comeback story might just end with a Cy Young cherry on top.
