Longtime MLB ace Chris Sale won the National League Cy Young Award on Wednesday night, beating out Phillies hurler Zack Wheeler and Pirates rookie Paul Skenes with 26 of 30 first-place votes.
The 35-year-old Sale finished 2024 with an 18-3 record and led the NL in ERA (2.38), strikeouts (154), and wins (18)—taking home the NL's pitching triple crown. He also won the National League's Comeback Player of the Year Award, Gold Glove, and was named to the All-MLB first team.
Sale has always been a decorated pitcher, racking up eight All-Star appearances, leading the MLB in strikeouts three times, and winning the 2018 World Series with the Boston Red Sox over his 14-year career. But Wednesday's award was special, as he took home his first Cy Young Award.
The cherry on top? After an up-and-down seven-year tenure in Boston, the Red Sox traded Sale and cash considerations to the Atlanta Braves this offseason in exchange for infielder Vaughn Grissom.
He won said Cy Young less than a year later.
Despite outward frustration with their teams ownership, front office, and managerial efforts over the past several seasons, Red Sox fans hearts were warmed with the news of Sale's accomplishment. Here's how they reacted on X (formerly Twitter):
Hell yeah! Chris Sale fan forever 🏆 https://t.co/IyhkJXiZL5
— Sammy James🔺 (@HebHammer94) November 20, 2024
It just feels right for Chris Sale to now be Cy Young Award Winner Chris Sale. But that never happening in Boston is certainly painful.
— Steve Perrault (@Steve_Perrault) November 20, 2024
I will forever love Chris Sale. So glad he finally got his first Cy. Sad it wasn’t in Boston! https://t.co/hqdFxDku0o
— Red Sox Ben (@RedSoxBullitt) November 20, 2024
Nobody deserves this moment more than Chris Sale.
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) November 20, 2024
They told this man to retire. Look at him now.
Not only back to being one of the elite pitchers in the game, but he finally has his first Cy Young. HOF path back on.
pic.twitter.com/OywV10cfHb
Chris Sale man, forever greatful for what he did for Boston https://t.co/UZ1ygztStL
— Unbiased Red Sox Fan (@unbiasedsoxfan) November 20, 2024
I’m so happy for Chris Sale, man. He went through hell and back. From the top of the mountain closing out a World Series to the bottom of the barrel with so many injuries, to his first Cy Young award at the age of 35 when many said he was done. He deserves this career validation.
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) November 20, 2024
Happy for Chris Sale, just wish that it was with the Red Sox https://t.co/jtB29pD95O
— Jake “Iggy” Ignaszewski (@JakeIggy) November 20, 2024
Chris Sale has won the National League Cy Young Award.
— Jamie Gatlin (@JamieGatlin17) November 20, 2024
Well deserved, and what a year for Sale.
pic.twitter.com/qVGQ88V7kD
All you can do is give a big tip of the cap to Chris Sale if you’re a Red Sox fan. https://t.co/Nnjwrs9aAd pic.twitter.com/s4HPmHTN56
— Jack Lautaret (@JackLautaret) November 20, 2024
Given the multitude of injuries Sale battled during his time in Boston, it's certainly a feel-good story for him to earn the Cy Young honor like this.
I'm glad it worked out this way," said Sale upon receiving the award. "I feel like I'm able to appreciate this moment more now."
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Red Sox Fans React to Chris Sale Winning Cy Young Award One Year After Trading Him to Braves.
