For the first time since 2018, Chris Sale, a graduate of Lakeland High School, has demonstrated that he remains one of Major League Baseball’s elite pitchers. In his inaugural season with the Atlanta Braves, Sale achieved remarkable success, posting an impressive record of 18 wins and just 3 losses, alongside a stellar ERA of 2.38. His outstanding performance earned him the National League Cy Young Award, where he secured 26 out of 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers Association of America, surpassing competitors like Zack Wheeler of Philadelphia and Paul Skenes of Pittsburgh.
“I can’t express how thankful I am for everybody that stuck by me,” Sale commented. “It would have been easy to jump ship and write me off.”
Acquired by the Braves from the Boston Red Sox during the offseason, Sale rewarded his team with one of his finest seasons. His 18 victories marked a personal best, and his 2.38 ERA achieved was among the lowest in his career. Additionally, Sale led the National League in both wins and strikeouts, amassing an impressive total of 225 strikeouts to complete the pitching Triple Crown.
During his stint with the Red Sox over seven seasons, Sale encountered significant challenges, including a complete season absence in 2020 due to Tommy John surgery and limited participation in 2021 and 2022, where he combined for only 11 starts. Last year, he hinted at a potential return to form with a record of 6-5 and a 4.30 ERA, even showcasing effective performance after accounting for his first three outings of the season.
In his first year in the National League, Sale managed to avoid missing any starts until the last week of the regular season. Unfortunately, he had to sit out the final series against the Mets due to back spasms and missed the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres.
Sale initiated the season strong, going 3-1 with a 3.69 ERA in April, before finishing the remainder of the season on a remarkable 15-2 streak and a 2.10 ERA. His 177 and 2/3 innings pitched served as his highest workload since he logged a career-high 214 and 1/3 innings in 2017.
Closing out his 15th season in the majors, Sale’s journey began when he was drafted out of Florida Gulf Coast University, after which he graduated from Lakeland High in 2007. Notably, during his senior year, he was a first-team all-county selection, boasting an 8-3 record with an outstanding 1.24 ERA and 99 strikeouts.
The success of Chris Sale serves as an inspiring example of perseverance and resilience. Having overcome significant setbacks in recent years, his return to form is a hopeful sign for his future and could signal an exciting renaissance for the Braves’ pitching staff. His journey underscores the power of determination and the importance of support during challenging times in an athlete’s career.