Why Chris Sale’s Baseball Cards Deserve a Closer Look After 2,500 Ks
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Pitch Perfect: Why Chris Sale’s Cards Deserve a Closer Look After 2,500 Ks
Chris Sale, the Atlanta Braves left-hander, has joined elite company with his 2,500th career strikeout. He is now a member of a club that includes just three other active pitchers: Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Clayton Kershaw.
Chris Sale joins Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Clayton Kershaw as the only active pitchers with 2,500 Ks! pic.twitter.com/yrjiWP3CJD
— MLB (@MLB) May 30, 2025
The Atlanta Braves veteran pitcher has seen a resurgence in his career over the past 2 seasons, culminating with breaking the 2,500 K barrier this season. This is not only great for Chris Sale's long term Hall of Fame odds, but also could be a great opportunity for collectors to take a new look at the veteran pitcher's baseball cards.
The baseball card hobby, generally speaking, has been traditionally dominated by power hitters. It typically takes huge milestone accomplishments to bolster both a pitcher’s card value and collectability. Chris Sale’s recent accomplishment could prove to be one that moves the collector needle. Regardless of whether your building a baseball Hall of Fame-themed collection, looking for potential undervalued players, or just a Boston Red Sox or Chicago White Sox fan looking to add to your personal collection, now might be the time to look at Chris Sale’s baseball card.
A Milestone Worthy of Recognition
While advanced stats have taken over baseball, strikeouts are still one of baseball’s most electric and regarded feats. Reaching 2,500 career Ks isn’t just about longevity—it’s also about dominance.
Of note, Sale accomplished this milestone faster than nearly anyone in history. He’s long been known for his whip-like arm and devastating slider. While his peak years are generally thought of as between 2012 to 2018, many believe the Atlanta Braves pitcher is once again showing flashes of brilliance. This could translate to increased interest by collectors.
How Chris Sale’s Cards Compare to Verlander, Scherzer & Kershaw
Let’s talk cardboard.
Despite a solid career arc that mirrors some of the best pitchers of the modern era, Sale’s rookie and autograph cards remain shockingly affordable. Consider this:
Justin Verlander rookie cards, especially in PSA 10, are some of the more sought-after modern-day pitcher cards.
Clayton Kershaw rookie autos can easily fetch 4 figures for the right card.
Max Scherzer refractors and low-numbered parallels are great targets to add to your growing collection.
Chris Sale? You can still find PSA 10s of his 2010 Bowman Chrome Draft rookie card for under $100. Even some of his autograph cards—on-card autos from Topps and Bowman branded products remain relatively underappreciated.
But with his newest milestone now in the books, and a possible push into the playoffs this year by the Braves, the window to grab his best cards at value pricing could be closing.
Top Chris Sale Cards to Target Now
For collectors new to Sale’s market or revisiting with fresh eyes, here are a few cards to watch:
• 2010 Bowman Chrome Draft #BDPP88 (RC) – Considered his true rookie card by most, even highly graded versions can be snagged at value prices.
• 2011 Topps Chrome RC – A fan favorite for flagship set collectors.
• 2010 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Autograph – A great early career auto with unique design and serial numbered.
Is Sale Headed to the Hall of Fame?
Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: legacy.
Chris Sale’s career, while marred by injuries, includes:
• 8x All-Star appearances
NL Cy Young Award (2024)
Pitching Triple Crown (2024)
• 3x strikeout leader (2015, 2017, 2024)
If he finishes strong with Atlanta and hits the 3,000 K mark, it becomes hard to keep him out of Cooperstown.
That’s would be music to the ears of long-term collectors.
Final Pitch: Don’t Sleep on Chris Sale
In a season where MLB headlines are dominated by young prospects like Elly de la Cruz and Paul Skenes, Chris Sale is a nice reminder to collectors that veterans still matter. He’s not just padding stats—he’s making history and a strong case for an eventual bid into the baseball Hall of Fame.
Rich has been sharing hobby content since 2018 under his brand, The Happy Collector. A professional digital content creator and writer with over a decade of experience, Rich brings a unique perspective to the hobby, focusing on storytelling “by the collector, for the collector.” His engaging approach has made him a sought-after guest on numerous hobby-related podcasts. Whether he’s diving into the latest trends or reflecting on timeless collectibles, Rich’s passion for the hobby shines through in everything he creates. You can reach Rich @thehappycollector on TikTok or Instagram.
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