It has been a season to forget for Atlanta Braves fans in 2024. The team has underperformed all expectations and injuries have somewhat helped fuel that. However, most of the underperformance stems from the offense.
Atlanta's pitching has been one of the best in baseball all season but because of the struggling offense, they haven't won as many games as they should have. Chris Sale has been at the forefront of this impressive season from Braves pitching.
Chris Sale earns nomination for MLB's prestigious Roberto Clemente Award
Since 1971 Major League Baseball has awarded players for their philanthropic work with the creation of the Commissioner’s Award. However, the award was renamed the Roberto Clemente Award in 1973 as a tribute to Clemente after he tragically passed away.
The Roberto Clemente Award annually recognizes MLB players who best represent the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions on and off the field.
Each team nominates a player worthy of this honor and Chris Sale is Atlanta's choice in 2024. Not only is he baseball's best pitcher this season with an impressive 16-3 record, 2.38 ERA, and 213 strikeouts. But he's also been one of the best off the field as well.
Sale has greatly impacted the community, especially with local children and military families. Each month during the season, Sale has hosted deserving Braves fans with a private pregame hospitality space at Truist Park so they can have a unique and memorable experience.
“This is special. I definitely appreciate this one.”
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) September 9, 2024
Chris Sale comments on being named the 2024 @braves nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award💙 pic.twitter.com/cU6q3L0UbX
This season, he has welcomed families from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Miracle Network, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Camp Sunshine.
Sale has provided them with food and Braves merchandise, and he even hangs out with the families, providing them with photos and autographs. He also played a big role in Atlanta's Lou Gehrig Day because it was personal for him, having lost his grandmother to ALS in 1995.
Fans can vote for Sale here through September 29th and reward Chris for the job well done off the field.
It shouldn't surprise anyone that Chris Sale is this year's nominee as he's been such a great personality for this team since being traded for. He's always been known as a great teammate but it's great to see how great of a human being he is as well.
He continues to be a bright spot for Atlanta in more ways than one and it'll be a season he and fans won't soon forget.
Travis d'Arnaud placed on paternity list on Monday afternoon for Braves
In other minor Braves news, catcher Travis d'Arnaud was placed on the paternity list after his wife went into labor on Monday. He was expected to be out on Wednesday as that was her expected due date.
The #Braves today placed C Travis d’Arnaud on the paternity list and recalled C Chadwick Tromp to Atlanta.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 9, 2024
He was slated to play on Monday but instead got the chance to welcome his third child into the world. Travis is expected to be out until Friday's series with the Dodgers according to Braves insiders. In the meantime, Chadwick Tromp was recalled from Gwinnett to backup Sean Murphy.
Tromp was with the team earlier this season when Murphy was injured and provided the team with a great backup. I'm sure he will do a great job again this time. Congratulations to the d'Arnaud family on welcoming a new addition to their family!