Career Timeline of Chris Sale: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Chris Sale made an impact.

Chris Sale is a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, currently playing for the Atlanta Braves. Previously, he played for the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox. He stands at 6 feet 6 inches tall.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2000: Pedro Martínez finished fifth in AL MVP voting

In 2000, Pedro Martínez finished fifth in AL MVP voting. Chris Sale later became the first Red Sox pitcher to finish that high since Martínez.

2007: Learned Modified Motion

Chris Sale learned his "funky" sidearm throwing motion, a modified motion that he learned while he stayed in college after being drafted in 2007.

2007: Drafted by the Colorado Rockies

In 2007, after his senior year at Lakeland Senior High School, Chris Sale was drafted in the 21st round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Colorado Rockies, but he chose not to sign and instead attended Florida Gulf Coast University.

2008: All-Star for La Crosse Loggers

In 2008, Chris Sale was an All-Star for the La Crosse Loggers of the Northwoods League, during an NCAA offseason.

2009: Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox

In the summer of 2009, Chris Sale pitched for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League, earning the league's Outstanding Pitcher award.

August 4, 2010: Called Up to Majors

On August 4, 2010, Chris Sale was called up to the majors for the first time.

August 6, 2010: MLB Debut

On August 6, 2010, Chris Sale made his Major League Baseball debut for the Chicago White Sox.

September 1, 2010: First Major League Save

On September 1, 2010, Chris Sale earned his first major league save against the Cleveland Indians.

2010: Drafted and Assigned to Minor League Teams

In 2010, after being drafted by the Chicago White Sox with the 13th overall pick, Chris Sale was assigned to the Class A affiliate Winston-Salem Dash, and then promoted to the Triple-A affiliate Charlotte Knights.

2011: First Full Season

During the 2011 season, Chris Sale made 58 appearances out of the bullpen for the White Sox.

2012: Transition to Starting Pitcher

In 2012, Chris Sale transitioned to a starting pitcher for the White Sox. On May 28, 2012, Sale struck out a career-high 15 batters in 7+1⁄3 innings.

2012: All-Star Selection

In 2012, Chris Sale was named an MLB All-Star for the first of seven consecutive seasons.

March 7, 2013: Contract Extension

On March 7, 2013, Chris Sale and the White Sox agreed on a five-year, $32 million contract with two option years.

May 12, 2013: One-Hit Shutout

On May 12, 2013, Chris Sale threw a one-hit shutout during a 3–0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

2013: Season Performance and Cy Young Voting

In the 2013 season, Chris Sale led the AL in complete games with 4, had an 11-14 record, 226 strikeouts and finished fifth in Cy Young votes.

May 22, 2014: Return from Disabled List

On May 22, 2014, in his first start off the disabled list, Chris Sale retired the first 17 batters in a row against the New York Yankees.

2015: AL Strikeout Leader

In 2015, Chris Sale led the American League (AL) in strikeouts.

2015: Clayton Kershaw Strikeout Season

Pitching against the Toronto Blue Jays on August 29, 2017, Chris Sale recorded his 1,500th career strikeout, becoming the fastest to do so in terms of innings pitched. Sale reached 300 strikeouts for the season when he struck out 13 batters on September 20, 2017. It was the first 300 strikeout season since Clayton Kershaw in 2015.

December 6, 2016: Traded to Boston Red Sox

On December 6, 2016, Chris Sale was traded from the Chicago White Sox to the Boston Red Sox.

2016: All-Star Game Starter

Chris Sale was named the American League's starting pitcher for the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

2016: Season Stats

In 2016, Chris Sale made 32 starts, finishing with a 17-10 record, a 3.34 ERA, and 233 strikeouts, in 226.2 innings pitched. He also led the majors with 6 complete games and 17 hit batsmen.

2017: Season Stats and Division Win

In 2017, Chris Sale finished with a 17-8 record, a 2.90 ERA, and led MLB with 308 strikeouts, helping the Red Sox clinch the AL East division.

2017: AL Strikeout Leader and Sporting News Award

In 2017, Chris Sale led the American League in strikeouts for the second time and was selected as the AL Sporting News Starting Pitcher of the Year after reaching 300 strikeouts in a single season for the first time.

2017: Traded to Red Sox

Prior to the 2017 season, Chris Sale was traded to the Boston Red Sox.

2017: Consecutive Starts with 10+ Strikeouts

With the 2017 Red Sox, Chris Sale began the season by striking out 10 or more batters in eight consecutive starts, tying the major league record he already shared with Pedro Martínez.

2018: All-Star Selection

Chris Sale was an MLB All-Star in 2018.

2018: World Series Win

In 2018, Chris Sale played a key role in the Boston Red Sox pitching rotation, helping the team win the World Series.

2018: Opening Day starting pitcher for Red Sox

In 2018, Chris Sale was the Opening Day starting pitcher for the Red Sox against the Tampa Bay Rays. He pitched six innings, allowing one hit, walking three, and striking out nine, resulting in a no decision after the Rays won 6-4.

March 23, 2019: Signed five-year extension with Red Sox

On March 23, 2019, Chris Sale signed a five-year, $145 million contract extension with the Red Sox, covering 2020 through 2024 with a vesting option for 2025.

2019: Sale Throws Practice Session in the Bullpen

Chris Sale threw a practice session in the bullpen at Fenway Park for the first time since 2019 on June 8, 2021 as he continued to work his way back from injury.

2020: Contract extension covers this season

In 2020, Chris Sale's five-year contract extension with the Red Sox, signed in 2019, was in effect, covering 2020 through 2024 with a vesting option for 2025.

2021: Pitched over 102.2 innings

In 2023, Chris Sale pitched over 102.2 innings, more than double what he pitched in 2021 and 2022 combined.

2022: Pitched over 102.2 innings

In 2023, Chris Sale pitched over 102.2 innings, more than double what he pitched in 2021 and 2022 combined.

December 30, 2023: Traded to Atlanta Braves

On December 30, 2023, Chris Sale was traded by the Red Sox to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Vaughn Grissom.

2023: Traded to Braves

Following the 2023 season, Chris Sale was traded to the Atlanta Braves after a string of injuries in Boston.

2024: All-Star Game, Cy Young Award, Triple Crown and Gold Glove

In 2024, Chris Sale was named to his eighth All-Star Game and won his first Cy Young Award, Triple Crown and Gold Glove Award.

2024: Contract extension covers this season

In 2024, Chris Sale's five-year contract extension with the Red Sox, signed in 2019, was in effect, covering 2020 through 2024 with a vesting option for 2025.

2025: Contract extension vesting option

In 2025, Chris Sale's five-year contract extension with the Red Sox, signed in 2019, included a vesting option for this year, covering 2020 through 2024 with a vesting option for 2025.