Sale: 'My first autograph I got was Chipper Jones'

Chris Sale is excited to be joining the Braves organization, one he's respected from afar for a while

The newest addition to the Atlanta Braves, starting pitcher Chris Sale, is already at the team's spring training facility in North Port, FL, getting some work in. Having already thrown a bullpen and signing a contract extension today, he sat down with the media via Zoom to discuss joining the organization and what's next. 

Sale grew up in Lakeland, FL, which was part of the TBS-fueled "Braves Country" in his youth, and so the opportunity to join the Braves organization was not lost on the veteran.

"This 'A' represents something," Sale said, gesturing to the Braves hat he was wearing. "Growing up in the South, this was kind of 'the team' down here. Rich in history - you look at some of the players that have come through this organization." 

"I'm excited to get this going in the Braves uniform."

Official: Chris Sale in a @Braves cap. pic.twitter.com/zhkR65GJ6Q

— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) January 4, 2024

Sale admitted to being more of a general baseball fan than a diehard "TBS kid" in the 90s, but the Braves were still front and center in his childhood. 

"My first autograph I got was from (Braves third baseman) Chipper Jones. I went to a camp, got a picture with him. I think I was like 12, 13 years old. Got a picture with him, he signed a baseball for us, and it was great."

Sale signed a two year contract extension this morning, guaranteeing him a $22M salary in 2025 (he previously had a $20M club option), and giving Atlanta a $18M option for 2026. 

Sale acknowledged that the trade, while being difficult to leave Boston, ultimately was the best situation for his family. "I had a really good support system in Boston. I've said time and time again, from the front office to the staff - the training staff, the weight room staff, the coaching staff, everybody - I had a good support group there." 

But referencing the extension he signed with Atlanta today, "I definitely appreciate that. They put their faith and trust in me, and that obviously makes me feel confident going forward and gives me a boost, not only going through spring training, but going through the year."  

"It also allows me to feel a little bit more comfortable, right? Like, I'm going to be here for a couple years so I can kind of get settled in and not bounce around. I'm married and have three sons. 'One and dones' aren't really too good for us."

Sale admitted that his struggles in Boston, where he made 31 of a possible 131 starts over the last four seasons, were a learning moment for him and his family. 

"There's really only one thing you can do - I say this to my kids all the time. You've got two options: You can either do it (the work), or you can complain about it and do it. And one of those is a lot easier than the other." 

And thankfully, for both Sale and the Braves, the pitcher feels like his shoulder issues are behind him. (Sale went on the 60-day IL last season for a stress reaction in his shoulder scapula, a rather rare injury.)

"I've just been enjoying a healthy offseason" Sale admitted, saying that his two biggest priorities this offseason have been staying on top of his shoulder program, to strengthen the structure of the shoulder, and long-tossing to get his arm in throwing shape for next season. 

That offseason work hasn't been something Sale could do for a number of years. "the one thing I wasn't able to do for a long time was just play catch." But Sale's been throwing bullpens since November, reporting that he's "all systems go." 

Braves now project to have best 2024 rotation in MLB

Sale's excited about his new rotation, with Spencer Strider, Max Fried, and Charlie Morton, but there's one of those three he's most eager to talk to when he reports to North Port in February. 

"I gotta talk to Charlie about that Fountain of Youth he's sipping, because he's figured out a way to stay strong throughout (his late 30s)." 

But Sale, while not having Charlie's Fountain of Youth, feels like he's still gotten to the best place that he's been after a season in quite a while. "Just walking off that mound the last day of the year, knowing I was healthy and going into a good offseason: I was excited." 

And he admits that while his last few seasons in Boston may not have worked out like the organization or he wanted, that energy & that motivation that comes with being healthy at the end of a season, that's coming with him to Atlanta.  

"I'm excited to take that same energy and bring it to this team, this organization, this clubhouse, this fanbase. Show them that I got a lot of life left in this."

Sale plans to get started immediately, bringing that energy to his offseason work. He lives within driving distance of CoolToday Park, Atlanta's spring training facility in North Port, and plans to be around a lot over the next few weeks. 

"I'd like to get up here probably a couple times a week, just to throw bullpens and get a lay of the land. Where everything is, and just be around some of the guys up here. [...] You know what it is about this place and the people here, the culture, and also get some really good work in as well." 

Atlanta's expected to ask pitchers and catchers to report on February 12th ahead of the team's first scheduled spring training game on February 24th against the Tampa Bay Rays. 

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