Atlanta Braves starter Chris Sale received two Players’ Choice Awards on Saturday. He was named the National League’s Outstanding Pitcher and National League Player of the Year.
Congratulations to Chris Sale for taking home the title @MLBPA Players’ Choice Awards for NL Comeback Player and NL Outstanding Pitcher for 2024! pic.twitter.com/1ztKZu4DO7
-Atlanta Braves (@braves) October 26, 2024
He beat out Pittsburgh Pirates rookie phenom Paul Skenes and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Zack Wheeler for Outstanding Pitcher. For the comeback player, he beat out Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins and San Diego Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar.
Sale is the third Brave to win the Outstanding Pitcher. Previous Braves players who have won this award include Greg Maddox (1994, 1995, 1998) and John Smoltz (1996). He is the sixth Valiant to win the Comeback Player. Previous Braves players who have won this award include Andres Galarraga (2000), John Smoltz (2002), Tim Hudson (2010), Josh Donaldson (2019) and Ronald Acuña Jr. (2022).
There were two other braves competing for prizes but they did not win. Marcell Ozuna was a nominee for the National League Most Valuable Player Award, and Max Fried was a nominee for the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award. Unsurprisingly, Ozuna lost to Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and Fried lost to Hoskins.
The winners were chosen during the World Series pre-show on Fox prior to Game 2 of the World Series.
The sale continues to win awards for the renaissance season. Just a few days ago, he was named Premier League Player of the Year by Sporting News. He also won his first National League Triple Crown in 2011. Now, his peers on the diamond have recognized his efforts.
In 2024, Sale went 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA and 225 strikeouts to secure the Triple Crown. He also had a 1.01 WHIP and a 174 ERA+ and was named to the eighth All-Star team of his career.
The Major League Baseball Players Association has held the Players’ Choice Awards since 1992.
