History of Chris Sale in Timeline

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

1901: Pitcher in Major League's modern era (since 1901)

On May 29, 2025, Chris Sale recorded his 2,500th strikeout against Edmundo Sosa of the Philadelphia Phillies. He became the 38th pitcher in the Major League's modern era since 1901.

1908: Ed Walsh Strikeout Record

In 1908, Hall of Famer Ed Walsh held the White Sox franchise record for strikeouts in a season.

1982: White Sox Throwback Uniforms

The White Sox were set to wear throwback uniforms based on the design implemented by Bill Veeck from 1982, but Chris Sale was not pleased and tore up the uniforms leading to a suspension.

1983: Dave Stieb All-Star

In 2017, Chris Sale was named the American League's starting pitcher at the All-Star Game for the second consecutive season, the first pitcher to do so for the AL since Dave Stieb in 1983–84.

March 30, 1989: Christopher Allen Sale Born

On March 30, 1989, Christopher Allen Sale was born in Lakeland, Florida.

Others born on this day/year

1999: Pedro Martinez Strikeout Record

Chris Sale tied a major league record for consecutive starts of 10 or more strikeouts with Pedro Martinez, who accomplished the feat while pitching for the Boston Red Sox in 1999.

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.

2000: Randy Johnson All-Star

In 2017, Chris Sale was named the American League's starting pitcher at the All-Star Game for the second consecutive season, the first pitcher to do so since Randy Johnson started for the National League in 2000 and 2001.

2001: Randy Johnson All-Star

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: College Baseball Season

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

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: Last time both leagues had Triple Crown winners

At the end of the 2024 regular season, 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: First Full Season

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

April 17, 2012: "The Condor" Nickname Coined

On April 17, 2012, Chris Sale's moniker "The Condor" was first coined on SB Nation's South Side Sox site due to his unorthodox sidearm throwing motion, making him resemble a California condor.

2012: Cy Young Award Voting

During the 2012 season, Chris Sale compiled a 17–8 record, a 3.05 ERA, and 192 strikeouts and finished sixth in voting for the AL Cy Young Award.

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.

June 7, 2014: Surrendered Lead

On June 7, 2014, during a game against the Angels, Chris Sale surrendered 5 runs in the 7th inning.

April 23, 2015: Bench-Clearing Brawl and Ejection

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

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: Injuries since 2019 season

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom commented that the Red Sox needed to find whoever had a "Chris Sale voodoo doll", referring to his list of injuries since the 2019 season.

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.

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 due to progress in spring training being hampered by pneumonia.

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.

February 18, 2021: Placed on 60-day injured list

On February 18, 2021, Chris Sale was placed on the 60-day injured list as he continued to recover from Tommy John surgery.

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: Limited appearances due to injuries

In 2022, Chris Sale posted an 0-1 record with a 3.18 ERA in two starts for the Red Sox due to recurring injuries.

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: Selected to the All-Star Game roster

Chris Sale was selected to the 2024 Major League Baseball All-Star Game roster as a reserve, alongside teammates Marcell Ozuna and Reynaldo López.

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.

May 29, 2025: Recorded 2,500th strikeout

On May 29, 2025, Chris Sale recorded his 2,500th strikeout against Edmundo Sosa of the Philadelphia Phillies. He became the 38th pitcher in the modern era (since 1901) and the 40th pitcher in Major League history to reach this mark, doing so in a record 2,026 innings.

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.