Braves Chris Sale wins National League Triple Crown

Sale is the first pitching Triple Crown winner in Braves history.

In the American League, Detroit left-hander Tarik Skubal won the Triple Crown.

Sale and Skubal are the first pitchers to win a Triple Crown since Cleveland's Shane Bieber in 2020. But COVID shortened this season. Sale and Skubal are the first pitchers to do so in a full season since Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers and Justin Verlander of the Tigers in 2011.

Sale is one of 45 pitchers to win the Triple Crown. Before he and Skubal did it, only five pitchers this century had won a Triple Crown in an entire year: Kershaw, Verlander, Jake Peavy (2007), Johan Santana (2006) and Randy Johnson (2002). Since the start of 1990, it had only happened eight times in an entire season.

Sale was cut just before he was scheduled to make his final start of the regular season on Monday, the second game of a doubleheader against the Mets that left the Braves facing elimination. According to the team, it is suitable for everyday use. His status for the wild-card playoff round against the Padres remains to be seen, but manager Brian Snitker says he likely won't be available.

In 2020, Sale, at the top of his profession, underwent Tommy John surgery. A frustrating season began. From the start of the year through this season, he had made a total of 31 starts. Maybe people wrote him off as done because of the injuries.

“Because at the same time, shiny new toys are coming into the league,” explains Morton. “The talent makes it to the big leagues, or there are guys who do their best and the game goes on without you. Because the game doesn't need you, right? So it's like everyone kind of moves on. Would you like to see Chris Sale's pitch? Of course you want to see him. You want to see him when he's healthy and dominating, when he's shooting 96-100 and people just look silly. Do you want to see that? Of course you want to see it because it's entertaining. Or maybe you're a fan of Chris Sale, or maybe you're a friend. Or maybe you just like that – maybe you just like rooting for the underdog, because after a bad season or two or an injury or two, that's the underdog now.

“But Chris Sale is not an outsider. He just needed a few things to click, either in his performance or his mentality, or in returning to himself, or how about just with his body (being healthy)? But I mean clearly, this guy is not that guy.”

This is a feel-good story. Sale is back at the top of the sport after years of injury. He is the likely winner of the NL Cy Young Award.

He has everything. The mentality. The delivery. The speed. The intelligence. Everything. After a few years break he is back.

In late December, the Braves acquired Sale and Cash from the Red Sox for infielder Vaugn Grissom. The Red Sox will use the money they sent to pay Sales' entire salary this season.

The sale gave the Braves a different dynamic this season. His veteran presence has added something to the clubhouse, as has his fiery attitude. The word “competitor” fits him as well as any other.

Morton first met Sale in 2018. But Morton had always heard positive things about Sale from baseball people. Now he's seen firsthand what Sale brings to a group.

What sets Sale apart?

“His demeanor, the way he went about his business, (and) when you watch him from across the street, he gives off kind of an old-school vibe. Being around him, I think, confirms that,” Morton said. “But I think when you get to know him and are around him, I think what strikes me is how considerate he is of a person. His perspective on life is quite interesting. I think he has an insight into life that you probably wouldn't have if you hadn't met him. From the outside, it somehow looks like he was more intense, especially when he was younger. And I'm not saying he's not focused on baseball – I mean, he's definitely focused on baseball. But he has been a father for a long time, he has been a husband for a long time. He is very close to his family and cares about them very much.

“Seeing that side of him was really refreshing because for someone like him who had the success, he also had to focus on other people and being a caring, thoughtful person. He's a guy that I'm definitely going to miss – not just because I'm exhausted and nostalgic or anything like that, (but) I mean, he's a guy that I've enjoyed playing with for longer than one would have year.”

Morton doesn't want to sound like he's denigrating others. “There are other elite pitchers who are great people,” he said. But there's something about Sale that not every star player possesses.

Balance.

“It’s balance, and he’s a very balanced person,” Morton said. “For a 35-year-old who has done what he has done and for the reputation he has off the field, it is clear that he has been doing it right for a long time. It's not that elite pitchers are all bad guys. There are a lot of really good guys who are elite pitchers. I just think he's very matter-of-fact.

“He will give you life advice. He will lend you an ear when he feels like you need to let something out or let go. He'll be there for you – if only to let you know, “Hey man, I'm not going to rush you, but I'm here.” And I think that's hard for a man who's done that – because I think sometimes we can all really get into ourselves and into our own lives.”

Sale is a special type of player, one who has shaped the Braves' clubhouse as well as their rotation. And make no mistake: While he may be a great teammate, he is once again one of the best players in baseball.

In November, Sale is expected to take home his first Cy Young Award.

On Monday, however, he achieved one of the sport's rarest feats.