Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale has been named the 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner, securing one of the most prestigious honors in baseball. The award, presented by Braves legend and Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, marked a defining moment in Sale’s career.
“It means a lot,” Sale said after the ceremony. “A special night having Maddux announce it, being an Atlanta guy.” The rest of his interview with MLB Network can be seen below.
This was Sale’s first Cy Young Award, and it caps off an extraordinary comeback season for the veteran pitcher. He is now part of an elite group of Braves pitchers who have won the award, including Warren Spahn, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and Maddux, who dominated the honor throughout the 1990s. Sale remained modest about joining their ranks, joking, “I think I brought that group down a little bit, but I’m glad that I dipped my toe in that pool.”
Sale’s performance in 2024 was nothing short of exceptional. Over 29 starts, he posted an 18-3 record with a 2.38 ERA, 225 strikeouts, and a 1.01 WHIP. He also led the National League in wins, ERA, and strikeouts, earning the coveted Triple Crown for pitchers. His 2.09 FIP and 6.2 WAR further demonstrated his dominance.
Braves Chris Sale Wins Cy Young By a Landslide
When the Cy Young voting results were revealed, Sale’s season clearly stood head and shoulders above the competition. He received 26 first-place votes, while the Phillies’ Zack Wheeler earned four. Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes finished a distant third, with just one second-place vote and 13 third-place votes.
Sale’s journey to the Cy Young wasn’t without challenges. The left-hander had battled injuries and inconsistency in recent years, leading some to doubt his ability to regain his former dominance. However, the Braves took a chance on him, and he rewarded their faith by turning in one of the best seasons of his career.
In addition to the Cy Young, Sale’s mantle is now crowded with awards from his comeback campaign:
- BBWAA National League Comeback Player of the Year
- Players Choice Awards for Outstanding Pitcher and Comeback Player
- National League Pitcher’s Gold Glove
- 2024 All-MLB First Team
Despite previous seasons where he fell short of winning the Cy Young—he was a finalist in 2014 and the runner-up in 2017—this year marked his breakthrough.
As Sale spoke to the MLB Network after the announcement, the sound of cheering erupted in the background. Smiling, Sale pointed toward the noise and said, “I guess my family just found out.”
For Chris Sale, the honor is the culmination of years of hard work, resilience, and determination. For the Braves, it further proves their pitching tradition and commitment to excellence. As Greg Maddux put it, “I’m glad it’s staying in Atlanta.”
