Chris Sale is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who made a significant impact during his ten-year career. Known for his dominating pitching style, Sale achieved multiple accolades throughout his career, including seven All-Star selections and two American League strikeout titles.
Sale played for the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox during his career, and he retired in 2021 due to injuries. In this blog post, we’ll dive deeper into Chris Sale’s career, exploring his early life, time in the MLB, his legacy in baseball, and what he’s been up to since retiring.
Early Life and Career
Chris Sale was born on March 30, 1989, in Lakeland, Florida. His father, Allen Sale, was a former pitcher for the Lakeland Tigers, a minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.
Growing up, Sale was a multi-sport athlete, playing baseball, basketball, and football. However, his passion for baseball eventually led him to pursue it as his main sport.
Sale attended Lakeland Senior High School, where he played both baseball and basketball. As a senior, he was named the Florida Dairy Farmers’ Baseball Player of the Year and was selected to the Florida All-State First Team.
After high school, Sale enrolled at Florida Gulf Coast University, where he continued to play baseball.
Sale played three seasons at Florida Gulf Coast University, where he established himself as one of the top pitchers in the country. In his sophomore year, he recorded a 2.72 earned run average (ERA) with 146 strikeouts in 103 innings pitched.
As a junior, he posted a 2.15 ERA with 146 strikeouts in 103.1 innings pitched, helping lead the team to the NCAA Regionals.
In the 2010 MLB draft, the Chicago White Sox selected Sale with the 13th overall pick. Sale signed with the White Sox, forgoing his senior year of college eligibility, and began his professional baseball career in the minor leagues. He quickly rose through the ranks, making his major league debut in August of 2010.
Career With the Chicago White Sox
Chris Sale spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Chicago White Sox, where he established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers in the game. He made his major league debut on August 6, 2010, as a reliever, pitching 1.2 scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles.
Sale became a regular starter for the White Sox in 2012, and that year he had a breakout season. He finished the season with a 17-8 record, a 3.05 ERA, and 192 strikeouts in 192 innings pitched.
Sale was selected to his first All-Star game that year and finished sixth in the voting for the AL Cy Young Award.
Sale’s success continued in subsequent seasons, and he went on to earn six more All-Star selections during his time with the White Sox. He also led the American League in strikeouts twice, in 2015 and 2017, and finished in the top five in Cy Young Award voting four times.
In addition to his individual accomplishments, Sale played a key role in helping the White Sox win the AL Central division title in 2012. He was a part of a talented pitching staff that also included pitchers such as Jake Peavy and John Danks.
Overall, Sale had a stellar career with the White Sox, finishing with a 74-50 record, a 3.00 ERA, and 1,244 strikeouts in 1,110.1 innings pitched. His performance on the mound helped establish him as one of the best pitchers of his generation.
Trade to the Boston Red Sox
In December of 2016, the Chicago White Sox traded Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a package of prospects, including Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech. Sale was expected to be a key addition to the Red Sox rotation and help the team compete for a championship.
Sale’s first season with the Red Sox was a success, as he finished the year with a 17-8 record, a 2.90 ERA, and 308 strikeouts in 214.1 innings pitched. He led the American League in strikeouts that year and finished second in Cy Young Award voting.
Sale’s 2018 season was also strong, as he posted a 12-4 record, a 2.11 ERA, and 237 strikeouts in 158 innings pitched. However, he missed time in the second half of the season due to a shoulder injury, which limited his effectiveness in the playoffs.
Sale’s 2019 and 2020 seasons were marred by injuries, as he made just 25 total starts over those two seasons. He underwent Tommy John surgery in March of 2020 and missed the entire 2020 season as a result.
Despite his injuries, Sale had some notable moments during his time with the Red Sox. In August of 2017, he became the fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach 1,500 strikeouts, achieving the milestone in just 1,290 innings pitched.
He also pitched in the 2018 All-Star Game and helped lead the Red Sox to a World Series championship that year, though he did not pitch in the playoffs due to his injury.
Overall, Sale’s time with the Red Sox was relatively short, but he still managed to make a significant impact during his tenure with the team.
Legacy in Baseball
Chris Sale’s career statistics are impressive and speak to his dominance on the mound. As of 2022, he holds the MLB career record for strikeout-to-walk ratio at 5.33, which is a testament to his control and ability to limit free passes.
He has also reached 2,000 strikeouts in the fewest innings pitched in MLB history, achieving the milestone in just 1,626 innings.
Sale’s career numbers are equally impressive. In 10 seasons, he has a career record of 109-73, a 3.03 ERA, and 2,037 strikeouts in 1,629 innings pitched. He has also been selected to seven All-Star games and finished in the top five in Cy Young Award voting six times.
Sale’s impact on the game of baseball is significant. His dominant performances on the mound have earned him a reputation as one of the best pitchers of his generation, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio record and fastest to 2,000 strikeouts milestone are testaments to his exceptional skill.
Beyond his individual accomplishments, Sale has also been a key part of successful teams throughout his career. He helped the Chicago White Sox win the AL Central division title in 2012 and was a part of the Boston Red Sox team that won the World Series in 2018.
Sale’s legacy in baseball will likely be one of excellence and dominance. He will be remembered as a pitcher who had an exceptional ability to control the strike zone and limit free passes, and as a player who consistently competed at the highest level.
Fans and analysts will undoubtedly continue to marvel at his career statistics and the impact he had on the game of baseball.
Retirement and Future Endeavors
In September of 2021, Chris Sale announced his decision to retire from baseball, citing ongoing arm injuries as the primary reason for his decision.
Sale had undergone Tommy John surgery in March of 2020 and had been working to return to the field, but his body was no longer able to withstand the demands of the game.
Since retiring, Sale has remained involved in baseball in a different capacity. He has been working with the Boston Red Sox as a mentor to young pitchers and has been helping to develop the team’s minor league prospects. He has also been spending time with his family and enjoying his hobbies outside of baseball.
In terms of future plans, Sale has not yet announced any concrete plans for his post-playing career. However, he has expressed an interest in coaching and mentoring young players, so it’s possible that he may pursue a coaching or mentoring role in the future.
Regardless of what he chooses to do, Sale’s impact on the game of baseball will be felt for years to come, and his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats is secure.
Some of Chris Sale’s Career Statistics
| Career Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Record | 109-73 |
| ERA | 3.03 |
| Strikeouts | 2,011 |
| Innings Pitched | 1,629.2 |
| WHIP | 1.025 |
| Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio | 5.33 |
| All-Star Selections | 7 |
| Cy Young Awards | 0 |
| MLB Rank – Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio | 1st |
The table highlights Sale’s impressive career statistics, including his high strikeout-to-walk ratio and his ranking as the all-time MLB leader in that category.
It also notes his seven All-Star selections and his notable achievement of reaching 2,000 strikeouts in the fewest innings pitched in MLB history.
FAQs
What was Chris Sale’s best season in the MLB?
Sale’s best season in the MLB was arguably in 2017 with the Boston Red Sox, where he posted a 2.90 ERA, 17 wins, 308 strikeouts, and a 0.970 WHIP. He finished second in the Cy Young Award voting that year.
What was Chris Sale’s signature pitch?
Chris Sale was known for his slider, which he threw with devastating accuracy and speed. His slider had a sharp, late break that made it difficult for batters to hit.
Did Chris Sale ever win a Cy Young Award?
No, Chris Sale never won a Cy Young Award, but he finished in the top five in Cy Young voting six times throughout his career.
What was Chris Sale’s fastest recorded pitch?
Chris Sale’s fastest recorded pitch was 101.1 miles per hour, which he threw in a game against the New York Yankees in 2019.
What was Chris Sale’s impact on charity work?
Chris Sale was known for his charitable work throughout his career. He and his wife, Brianne, founded the “The Chris Sale Family Foundation” in 2017, which aims to improve the lives of children and families who are facing illness, poverty, or hardship. The foundation has raised over $1 million to support various causes.
Conclusion
Chris Sale had an impressive career as a Major League Baseball pitcher, marked by dominance, excellence, and numerous accolades. He was known for his control on the mound, consistently posting an outstanding strikeout-to-walk ratio, and limiting free passes.
Sale’s career was defined by his ability to compete at the highest level and help his teams win games. Although he retired from baseball in 2021 due to injuries, Sale’s impact on the game will be remembered for years to come.
It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Sale, but no matter what he chooses to do, he will always be remembered as one of the game’s greats.
