Chris Sale Captures First Cy Young Award After Resilient Comeback
BOSTON, MA – After a tumultuous journey marked by injuries and operations, Chris Sale has achieved a monumental milestone in his 14-year major league career: winning his first-ever Cy Young Award. The 35-year-old left-handed pitcher, recently honored as the National League Comeback Player of the Year, has made a stunning return to form.
Sale, who debuted in 2010, spent the early years of his career establishing himself as one of baseball’s elite pitchers, earning seven straight All-Star selections from 2012 to 2018 and posting an impressive 2.89 ERA. His stellar performance peaked when he wrapped up the 2018 season by clinching the World Series title for the Boston Red Sox.
However, his career hit a rough patch starting in the summer of 2019 due to pitching elbow issues, culminating in Tommy John surgery in April 2020. Following his return in August 2021, Sale struggled with a series of injuries that limited him to just 31 starts over three seasons with Boston.
In a surprising turn of events, the Red Sox traded Sale to the Atlanta Braves last winter. The change proved beneficial, as Sale thrived in the new environment, making 29 starts in the 2024 season—the most since 2017. He posted an impressive record of 18 wins against just 3 losses, along with a league-leading 225 strikeouts and a stellar 2.38 ERA.
In a season filled with achievements, Sale was also recognized with his first All-Star selection since 2018 and a Gold Glove award. While Boston awaits the future performance of infielder Vaughn Grissom, Sale’s historic Cy Young award punctuates a compelling comeback story that showcases his relentless pursuit of excellence in baseball.
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Photo credit www.bostonherald.com
