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. 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.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

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.

1908: Franchise Strikeout Record

In 1908, Ed Walsh held the franchise strikeout record of 269 strikeouts in a season, before Chris Sale surpassed that record in 2015.

1983: Last AL Pitcher to Start Consecutive All-Star Games

In 1983 and 1984, Dave Stieb started for the American League, being the last pitcher to do so until Chris Sale was selected in 2017.

1999: Last AL 300 Strikeout Season

Before Sale struck out 300 batters in the 2017 season, Pedro Martínez was the last to do so in the American League in 1999.

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

In 2000 and 2001, Randy Johnson started for the National League, being the last pitcher to do so until Chris Sale was selected in 2017.

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.

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

In 2000 and 2001, Randy Johnson started for the National League, being the last pitcher to do so until Chris Sale was selected in 2017.

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.

2010: Exceptional College Season

During the 2010 season at Florida Gulf Coast University, Chris Sale posted an 11–0 win–loss record and a 2.01 ERA over 17 games. He led the NCAA in strikeouts and was named the Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year and the Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year.

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.

2012: Finished Sixth in Cy Young Award Voting

During the 2012 season, Chris Sale compiled a 17–8 record, a 3.05 ERA, and 192 strikeouts in 192 innings pitched. He ended up 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.

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.

2013: Finished Fifth in Cy Young Voting

In the 2013 season, Chris Sale had an AL-leading 4 complete games. Sale ended up finishing in fifth place in Cy Young votes for 2013.

2015: Last 300 Strikeout Season

Before Sale struck out 300 batters in the 2017 season, Clayton Kershaw was the last to do so in 2015.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.