Chris Sale, the ace pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, recently disclosed his plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2024 season prior to his trade from the Boston Red Sox. In an interview with Foul Territory TV, Sale expressed, "Before I got traded last offseason, we were really kind of planning that this year was probably going to be my last year playing."
The 35-year-old left-hander was acquired by the Braves in December 2023, with Atlanta sending infielder Vaughn Grissom to Boston in the transaction. In a remarkable achievement, Sale earned the first Cy Young Award of his career this season, marking a significant milestone. He becomes the first left-handed pitcher in Braves history to surpass 200 strikeouts in a single season while concluding the regular season with an impressive record of 18-3 over 29 starts, supplemented by a 2.38 ERA, the best in Major League Baseball, and a WHIP of 1.013.
Despite missing the Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres due to back spasms, Sale's contribution during the regular season was vital, especially considering the Braves had to navigate the challenges posed by an early-season UCL injury to All-Star pitcher Spencer Strider. Looking ahead, with Strider and star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. expected to return in 2025, Sale is anticipated to be a key component of the Braves as they pursue their postseason aspirations.
