Hall of Fame sportscaster Jim Powell, co-host Tyler Flowers invites special guest Chris Sale, 2024 Cy Young Award winner, to discuss his remarkable season. They dive into the challenges and successes the Braves experienced, emphasizing player resilience, team camaraderie, and the superb leadership of manager Brian Snitker. Sale, known for his dominant pitching style and leadership, shares unique insights into his off-season preparations, in-game strategies, and reflections on baseball as a demanding sport. The episode is filled with anecdotes from his career and interactions with legends like Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux. Expect plenty of laughs, great stories, and valuable advice for young pitchers on staying focused and navigating adversity. The episode concludes with a "Get off my lawn" fan segment by David Carroll from Chattanooga, Tennessee, offering a comprehensive look at what makes the Braves' organization special.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [00:41] Special Guest Tyler Flowers
• [01:12] Reflecting on the Season's Successes and Challenges
• [02:35] Player Contributions and Overcoming Injuries
• [06:35] Team Dynamics and Organizational Philosophy
• [11:03] Brian Snitker's Leadership and Management Style
• [15:34] Chris Sale's Cy Young Season and Staying Healthy
• [19:35] Pitching Strategies and Memorable Moments
• [25:24] Pitching Struggles and Honest Advice
• [27:55] Greg Maddux and the Cy Young Award
• [32:55] Advice for Young Pitchers
• [34:02] Randy Johnson's Call and Motivation
• [39:32] Get Off My Lawn Segment

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Sale highlights the critical role of a focused off-season in achieving peak performance.
• Sale praises the Braves’ ability to stay united through injuries and challenges.
• Sale acknowledges the influence of teammates and coaches like Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux.
• Sale encourages young athletes to stay tough, work hard, and strive for continuous improvement.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Christopher Sale is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. Previously, he played for the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox. A left-handed pitcher standing 6'6", Sale is a Lakeland, Florida, native who played college baseball at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Drafted 13th overall by the White Sox in 2010, Sale debuted in MLB on August 6, 2010. He was traded to the Red Sox in 2017, playing a pivotal role in their 2018 World Series win. A seven-time All-Star (2012–2018), Sale led the AL in strikeouts in 2015 and 2017, reaching 300 strikeouts in a season in 2017. He holds the record as the fastest pitcher to 2,000 career strikeouts (1,626 innings).

Following injuries late in his Boston tenure, Sale was traded to the Braves in 2023. In 2024, he earned his eighth All-Star selection, won his first Cy Young Award, Triple Crown, and a Gold Glove.

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