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 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.

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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: Pedro Martínez finished fifth in AL MVP voting

In 2000, Pedro Martínez finished fifth in the AL MVP voting. This was the highest a Red Sox pitcher had finished since then.

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.

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.

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.

2011: Last time the Triple Crown was achieved in both leagues.

At the end of the regular season, In 2023, 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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.