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 in MLB. He previously played for the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox. Standing at 6'6", Sale is a notable figure in professional baseball.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1908: Old Strikeout Record

Hall of Famer Ed Walsh held the franchise record of 269 strikeouts in a season since 1908 before Chris Sale broke it in 2015.

1983: Last American League Pitcher to Start Consecutive All-Star Games

Dave Stieb last started consecutive All-Star Games for the AL in 1983-84, before Chris Sale started for the American League in 2017.

1999: Martinez's 300 Strikeout Season

Before Chris Sale reached 300 strikeouts for the season in 2017, Pedro Martínez last reached 300 strikeouts in 1999.

1999: Tying a Major League Record

On June 30, Chris Sale struck out 12 batters to tie a major league record with his eighth consecutive start of 10 or more strikeouts, a record shared with Pedro Martínez, who accomplished the feat while pitching for the Boston Red Sox in 1999.

2000: Last National League Pitcher to Start Consecutive All-Star Games

Randy Johnson started for the National League in the 2000 and 2001 All-Star Games, before Chris Sale started for the American League in 2017.

2001: Last National League Pitcher to Start Consecutive All-Star Games

Randy Johnson started for the National League in the 2000 and 2001 All-Star Games, before Chris Sale started for the American League in 2017.

2007: Drafted by the Colorado Rockies

In 2007, after his senior year in high school, Chris Sale was drafted in the 21st round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Colorado Rockies but chose not to sign, opting to attend 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.

2009: Outstanding Pitcher Award in Cape Cod Baseball League

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 and being named MVP of the league's All-Star Game at Fenway Park.

August 4, 2010: Call Up to the 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.

September 1, 2010: First Major League Save

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

2010: Outstanding College Season

During the 2010 season at Florida Gulf Coast University, Chris Sale posted an 11–0 record, a 2.01 ERA, and led the NCAA in strikeouts, earning recognition as the Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year and Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year.

2010: Drafted by White Sox and Assignment to Minor League Teams

In 2010, Chris Sale was drafted by the White Sox with the 13th overall pick and subsequently assigned to the Winston-Salem Dash and Charlotte Knights, White Sox' Class A and Triple-A affiliates, respectively, before being called up to the majors.

2011: Bullpen Appearances

During the 2011 season, Chris Sale made 58 appearances out of the bullpen, recording a 2–2 record, a 2.79 ERA, 8 saves, and 79 strikeouts.

2012: Accomplishments in 2012 Season

During the 2012 season, Chris Sale achieved a 17–8 record, a 3.05 ERA, and 192 strikeouts in 192 innings pitched, ultimately finishing sixth in voting for the AL Cy Young Award.

2012: First All-Star Season

In 2012, Chris Sale began a streak of seven consecutive seasons as an MLB All-Star.

2012: Transition to Starting Pitcher and Career High Strikeouts

In 2012, Chris Sale transitioned to a starting pitcher and on May 28 struck out a career-high 15 batters in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays. He was later named the American League Pitcher of the Month for May.

March 7, 2013: Contract Extension with the White Sox

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

May 12, 2013: One-Hit Shutout

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

2013: 2013 Season Performance and Cy Young Vote

In the 2013 season, Chris Sale led the AL with 4 complete games, recorded an 11–14 record, 226 strikeouts, and a 3.07 ERA, and finished fifth in Cy Young voting.

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 before allowing a single by Zoilo Almonte.

June 7, 2014: Game against the Angels

During a game against the Angels on June 7, 2014, Chris Sale surrendered 5 runs, including a grand slam by Mike Trout, after having a 5-0 lead.

April 23, 2015: Brawl and Ejection Against Royals

On April 23, 2015, Chris Sale was warned for hitting Mike Moustakas with a pitch and was later ejected from a game against the Kansas City Royals after a bench-clearing brawl.

2015: Clayton Kershaw's 300 Strikeout Season

Before Chris Sale reached 300 strikeouts for the season in 2017, Clayton Kershaw last reached 300 strikeouts in 2015.

2015: AL Strikeout Leader

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

2015: Franchise Strikeout Record

In 2015, Chris Sale set the franchise record for the number of strikeouts in a season with 270, surpassing Ed Walsh's previous record from 1908. He also led the majors in strikeouts per 9 innings and hit by pitch.

December 6, 2016: Trade to the Boston Red Sox

On December 6, 2016, Chris Sale was traded by the White Sox to the Boston Red Sox for Yoán Moncada, Michael Kopech, Luis Alexander Basabe, and Víctor Díaz. He switched his uniform number from 49 to 41.

2016: All-Star Game Selection

Chris Sale started the 2016 season by winning each of his first 9 starts and was named the American League All-Star Game starter. During the 2016 All-Star Game, he pitched one inning and gave up a home run to Chicago Cub Kris Bryant.

2016: Season Performance

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: AL East Division Win

In 2017, Chris Sale finished with a 17–8 record and an MLB-leading 308 strikeouts, contributing to the Red Sox clinching the AL East division with a 93–69 record.

2017: AL Strikeout Leader and Sporting News Award

In 2017, Chris Sale led the American League (AL) in strikeouts and was selected as the AL Sporting News Starting Pitcher of the Year.

2017: All-Star Game Starting Pitcher

In 2017, Chris Sale was named the American League's starting pitcher at the All-Star Game for the second consecutive season. He struck out 10 or more batters in eight consecutive starts, tying the major league record. He also became one of four pitchers to have struck out 200 batters in their first 20 starts of a season and reached 300 strikeouts for the season.

2017: Trade to Boston Red Sox

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

2018: Seventh Consecutive All-Star Season

2018 marked Chris Sale's seventh consecutive season 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 won the World Series.

2018: Sale's season with Red Sox

In 2018, Chris Sale was the Opening Day starting pitcher for the Red Sox, pitched well in June and was named AL Pitcher of the Month, recorded his 100th MLB win on July 6, was named to the All-Star Game as AL starting pitcher for the third year in a row on July 8 and July 16, was placed on the disabled list on July 31 and August 18 due to left shoulder inflammation but was activated on August 12 and September 11.