Chris Sale has officially re-established himself as a dominant force on the mound, and this recognition is the icing on the cake. It’s hard to overstate just how pivotal Sale has been for the Atlanta Braves in 2024.
After being voted Brave of the Year by the Atlanta chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA), it’s clear he’s the heartbeat of this year’s team. Sale didn’t just win the award—he ran away with it, earning 16 out of 18 votes. That’s no small feat, especially when you realize he’s the first pitcher to claim the honor since Tim Hudson back in 2010.
Chris Sale was voted 2024 Brave of the Year by the Atlanta chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. He got 16 of 18 votes to become the first starting pitcher to win the award since Tim Hudson in 2010.
— David O’Brien (@DOBrienATL) September 28, 2024
In 29 starts, Sale put up an 18-3 record with an absolutely elite 2.38 ERA. But it doesn’t stop there. His 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings led the entire National League, along with categories like FIP (2.08), ERA+ (174), home runs allowed per nine innings (0.5), and strikeouts per nine (11.4).
Simply put, Sale was untouchable this season. The Braves’ record when he’s on the mound? A whopping 22-7. Compare that to their 65-64 record when he’s not starting, and it’s crystal clear just how crucial he’s been.
What makes this even more remarkable is the journey Sale took to get here. The Braves took a calculated risk when they acquired him last December, and there was plenty of skepticism around the move. From Tommy John surgery to freak accidents like breaking his wrist in a bike accident, Sale’s injury history had many wondering if he could ever reclaim his ace status. But that doubt has been laid to rest. Not only did he make his eighth All-Star Game appearance, but he also took home the NL Pitcher of the Month award in May, boasting a minuscule 0.56 ERA in five starts.
Sale’s story this year is one of redemption and resilience. After several seasons derailed by injuries, including missing nearly all of 2022 and struggling through 2023, this comeback has been nothing short of phenomenal. Now, Sale is poised to add more hardware to his collection, potentially claiming both the Triple Crown and the Cy Young Award.
As the Braves gear up for the postseason, Sale’s final start of the regular season looms large. With a playoff berth on the line, expect Sale to be as dominant as ever when his name gets called.
