Over the past year Atlanta Braves fans have quickly learned why Chris Sale has been one of the best starting pitchers of his generation. Sale's performance on the mound last season led him to capturing the first Cy Young award of his career, after multiple top-five finishes in the American League during the 2010s.
Sale led was magical all year for the 2024 Braves, and became the first Triple Crown winner in the National League since Clayton Kershaw accomplished that in 2011. Outside of the pure dominance we see on the mound from Sale, fans also learned about the incredibly gracious human he is off the field. Recently, we discovered more evidence to support that when Sale had a classy gesture towards some of the Braves' staff that helped him in 2024.
Chris Sale won the NL Cy Young Award last season, and to celebrate the accomplishment, he gifted Rolex watches to eight individuals who were key to his success. Catchers, pitching coaches, bullpen coaches & bullpen catchers. So awesome to see him reward those guys like that.
— Ben Ingram (@IngramRadio) March 26, 2025
Braves ace Chris Sale gifts players and coaches Rolexes
Apparently, Sale went out of his way to gift eight members of the organization a brand new Rolex watch. Those who received the expensive gift were said to be the catchers, pitching coaches, bullpen coaches, and bullpen catchers.
So that list includes Erick Abreu, the Braves bullpen coach who filled in for Rick Kranitz while he away from the team last season, and unheralded bullpen catchers like Jose Yepez and Matt Winn to name a few. Sale rewarding the guys who don't often get the same love and attention as the players showcases what kind of guy he is.
Alex Anthopoulos has preached finding the right clubhouse guys in the past, and that's probably why the front office quickly extended Sale after acquiring him last offseason. This recent act proves that Chris Sale brings a desire to win, competitive edge, and is a classy teammate all in one.
Now the Braves will gear up for a rematch with the opponent who ended their season last year. As we know Chris Sale didn't get to take the ball last year against the Padres, so hopefully he can show them the impact he can have as he gets the Opening Day just a few days away from his 36th birthday.
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