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 American professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Atlanta Braves. Before joining the Braves, he played for the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox in MLB. He stands tall at 6 feet 6 inches.
1901: Sale records 2,500th strikeout
On May 29, 2025, Chris Sale recorded his 2,500th strikeout against the Philadelphia Phillies. He became the 38th pitcher in Major League's modern era (since 1901) and the 40th pitcher in Major League history to reach this mark.
2000: Pedro Martínez finishes fifth in AL MVP voting
In 2000, Pedro Martínez finished fifth in the AL MVP voting. This was the highest finish for a Red Sox pitcher since then.
2007: Stayed in college after being drafted
In 2007, Chris Sale stayed in college after being drafted.
2007: Drafted by Colorado Rockies
In 2007, after his senior year for the Dreadnaughts, 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 in Northwoods League
In 2008, Chris Sale was an All-Star for the La Crosse Loggers of the Northwoods League. It was during his time in Wisconsin that coaches suggested he adopt his now distinctive sidearm arm angle.
2009: Outstanding Pitcher Award
In 2009, Chris Sale pitched for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he was named MVP of the league's All-Star Game at Fenway Park, and received 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 MLB debut against the Baltimore Orioles in the eighth inning. He was the first 2010 draft pick to be promoted to the majors.
September 1, 2010: First Major League Save
On September 1, 2010, Chris Sale got his first major league save against the Cleveland Indians.
2010: Drafted by White Sox
In 2010, Chris Sale was drafted by the White Sox with the 13th overall selection in the first round of the MLB draft, and assigned to their Class A affiliate Winston-Salem Dash. After a brief period with the Dash, Sale was promoted to the White Sox' Triple-A affiliate Charlotte Knights.
2011: Triple Crown milestone achieved in both leagues for first time since 2011
At the end of the regular season, Chris Sale finished with a record of 18–3 and led the National League in ERA (2.38), strikeouts (225), and wins (18). He became the first Braves pitcher to win a Triple Crown. Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal earned the Triple Crown in the American League, marking the first time since 2011 that the milestone had been achieved in both leagues.
2011: Made 58 appearances out of the Bullpen
During the 2011 season, Chris Sale made 58 appearances out of the bullpen.
2012: Transition to Starting Pitcher and Career-High Strikeouts
In 2012 Chris Sale transitioned to a starting pitcher. On May 28, 2012, Sale struck out a career-high 15 batters in 7+1⁄3 innings during a 2–1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Sale was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for May.
2012: First All-Star Season
In 2012, Chris Sale began a streak of seven consecutive seasons as an MLB All-Star.
March 7, 2013: Contract Extension with White Sox
On March 7, 2013, Chris Sale and the White Sox agreed on a five-year, $32 million contract with two option years depending on the team.
May 12, 2013: One-Hit Shutout and All-Star Selection
On May 12, 2013, Chris Sale threw a one-hit shutout during a 3–0 Sox victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Sale took a perfect game into the seventh inning. Sale was also named an All-Star for the 2nd season in a row and was named the winning pitcher for the American League.
May 22, 2014: Return from Disabled List
On May 22, 2014, during his first start off the disabled list against the New York Yankees, Chris Sale retired the first 17 batters in a row before allowing a single by Zoilo Almonte. He struck out 10 in 6 innings pitched as the White Sox won the game 3–2.
2015: Led American League in Strikeouts
In 2015, Chris Sale led the American League (AL) in strikeouts.
2015: Set Franchise Record for Strikeouts
In 2015, Chris Sale set the Chicago White Sox franchise record for the number of strikeouts in a season with 270, surpassing Ed Walsh's record of 269 from 1908.
December 6, 2016: Traded to Boston Red Sox
On December 6, 2016, the White Sox traded Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox for Yoán Moncada, Michael Kopech, Luis Alexander Basabe, and Víctor Díaz.
2016: Named Starter for All-Star Game
In 2016, Chris Sale started the season by winning each of his first 9 starts. Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost named him the starter for the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, where he pitched one inning and gave up a home run to Chicago Cub Kris Bryant.
2017: Led MLB in Strikeouts
In 2017, Chris Sale finished with a 17–8 record, a 2.90 ERA, and an MLB-leading 308 strikeouts.
2017: Led American League in Strikeouts and Selected as Pitcher of the Year
In 2017, Chris Sale led the American League (AL) in strikeouts. After reaching 300 strikeouts in a single season for the first time in 2017, he was also selected as the AL Sporting News Starting Pitcher of the Year.
2017: Record-Tying Strikeout Streak and All-Star Selection
In 2017, Chris Sale tied the major league record by striking out 10 or more batters in eight consecutive starts and was named the American League's starting pitcher at the All-Star Game for the second consecutive season.
2017: Traded to Red Sox
Prior to the 2017 season, Chris Sale was traded to the Boston Red Sox.
2018: Seventh All-Star Season
In 2018, Chris Sale completed a streak of seven consecutive seasons as an MLB All-Star.
2018: World Series Win
In 2018, Chris Sale was a key member of the Boston Red Sox pitching rotation that helped the team win the World Series.
2018: Sale named AL Pitcher of the Month and to MLB All-Star Game
In 2018, Chris Sale was the Opening Day starting pitcher, named AL Pitcher of the Month in June, named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game, placed on the disabled list in July, activated in August, and again placed on the 10-day disabled list in August.
March 23, 2019: Sale signs five-year extension with Red Sox
On March 23, 2019, Chris Sale signed a five-year, $145 million contract extension with the Red Sox.
June 5, 2019: Sale pitched 8+2⁄3 scoreless innings against the New York Mets
On June 18, 2025, Chris Sale pitched 8+2⁄3 scoreless innings against the New York Mets, for his longest appearance since a complete game shutout on June 5, 2019.
2019: Bloom comments on "Chris Sale voodoo doll"
On August 6, 2022, Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom commented that the Red Sox needed to find whoever had a "Chris Sale voodoo doll", referring to Chris Sale's list of injuries since the 2019 season.
2019: Practice session in the bullpen since 2019
On June 8, 2021, Chris Sale threw a practice session in the bullpen at Fenway Park for the first time since 2019.
February 27, 2020: Sale not ready for Opening Day
On February 27, 2020, Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke announced that Chris Sale would not be ready for Opening Day.
2020: Contract extension year
In 2020, Chris Sale's contract extension with the Red Sox came into effect.
February 18, 2021: Sale placed on 60-day injured list
On February 18, 2021, Chris Sale was placed on the 60-day injured list as he recovered from Tommy John surgery.
2021: Pitched over 102.2 innings, more than double what he pitched in 2021 and 2022 combined.
In 2023, Chris Sale pitched over 102.2 innings, more than double what he pitched in 2021 and 2022 combined.
2022: Sale posts 0-1 record with a 3.18 ERA
In 2022, Chris Sale posted an 0–1 record with 3.18 ERA while striking out five batters in 5+2⁄3 innings.
2022: Pitched over 102.2 innings, more than double what he pitched in 2021 and 2022 combined.
In 2023, Chris Sale pitched over 102.2 innings, more than double what he pitched in 2021 and 2022 combined.
December 30, 2023: Sale traded to Atlanta Braves
On December 30, 2023, the Red Sox traded Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves.
2023: Traded to Braves
Following the 2023 season, Chris Sale was traded to the Atlanta Braves after injuries derailed his final few years in Boston.
2024: Sale selected to MLB All-Star Game
Chris Sale was selected to the 2024 Major League Baseball All-Star Game roster as a reserve.
2024: Named All-Star, Cy Young Award Winner, Triple Crown Winner and Gold Glove Winner
In 2024, Chris Sale was named to his eighth All-Star Game, as well as winning his first Cy Young Award, Triple Crown, and Gold Glove Award.
2024: Contract extension year
In 2024, Chris Sale's contract extension with the Red Sox was still in effect.
May 29, 2025: Sale records 2,500th strikeout
On May 29, 2025, Chris Sale recorded his 2,500th strikeout against the Philadelphia Phillies. He became the 38th pitcher in Major League's modern era and the 40th pitcher in Major League history to reach this mark.
2025: Contract extension vesting option
2025 was the year of the vesting option for Chris Sale's contract extension with the Red Sox.
February 24, 2026: Sale and the Braves signed a one-year contract extension through 2027, with a club option for 2028.
On February 24, 2026, Chris Sale and the Braves signed a one-year contract extension through 2027, with a club option for 2028.
2026: Club option year with Braves
2026 is the year of Chris Sale's $18 million club option with the Atlanta Braves.
2027: Sale and the Braves signed a one-year contract extension through 2027, with a club option for 2028.
On February 24, 2026, Chris Sale and the Braves signed a one-year contract extension through 2027, with a club option for 2028.
2028: Sale and the Braves signed a one-year contract extension through 2027, with a club option for 2028.
On February 24, 2026, Chris Sale and the Braves signed a one-year contract extension through 2027, with a club option for 2028.
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