Chris Sale's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Chris Sale. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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.

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.

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: 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

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.

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.

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.

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: All-Star Selection

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

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.

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.

2016: All-Star Game Starter

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

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: 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.

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.

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.