Episode 9

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Published on:

26th Nov 2024

EP 9 Picking the Brains of '24 Cy Young Winner Chris Sale & his #1 Catcher Tyler Flowers: Grit, Growth, & Greatness

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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#FansFirstPodcast #MLB #Baseball #ChrisSale #BravesBaseball #TeamChemistry #CyYoung #SportsPodcast #TylerFlowers #JimPowell #Leadership

#Resilience #Teamwork #YoungPitchers #Adversity #InGameStrategies #RandyJohnson #GregMaddux  #TeamCamaraderie #PlayerResilience #OffSeasonPreparation

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About the Podcast

Fans First a Sports Podcast
Welcome to "Fans First: A Sports Podcast," where your voice matters most! Hosted by the legendary Hall of Fame sportscaster Jim Powell, this show puts fans at the heart of the conversation. We believe sports are more than just games—they’re a way of life, a source of passion, and a community that brings people together. That’s why "Fans First" is here to celebrate your insights, opinions, and love for the game like never before. Whether you’re cheering in the stands, shouting at the TV, or debating trades with friends, "Fans First" is your go-to destination for all things sports. Each episode features fan-driven discussions, expert analysis, and exclusive interviews with players, coaches, and insiders. Jim Powell brings his wealth of experience and storytelling prowess to every episode, guiding conversations that are as engaging as they are insightful. But this podcast isn’t just about the headlines—it’s about the stories that matter to you. From the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat, from blockbuster trades to unforgettable moments in sports history, "Fans First" covers it all. We’re here to give you a platform to share your thoughts, ask tough questions, and connect with a community of fellow sports enthusiasts.

Join us each week as we explore the stories behind the scores, the emotions behind the plays, and the fans who make it all possible. Plus, don’t miss our special segments—“Flip the Switch,” where we suddenly turn the conversation in an unexpected new direction, and “Get Off My Lawn,” where fans can offer their spirited opinions about the hottest current topics in sports before the host gets his chance to react. So, tune in, speak up, and be part of the sports conversation that celebrates what makes the game great—you, the fan!

Bio: Jim Powell is an American radio and television sportscaster, previously employed with Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers (1996–2008) and Atlanta Braves (2009–2023). A native of Roswell, Georgia, Powell was educated at the University of Georgia. He began his baseball play-by-play career with the minor-league Columbia Mets (1987–89, 1993–94) and Charlotte Knights (1990–91, 1995), also calling games part-time for the Minnesota Twins in 1993–94 before being hired by the Brewers in 1996. Teaming with Bob Uecker, Powell called games for the Milwaukee Brewers Radio Network and was Uecker’s longest-tenured partner. Powell was named Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year in 1998. In 2009, he began teaming with Don Sutton to call games on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network and continued his play-by-play role through 2023. In addition to his baseball work, Powell has called college football (for the University of South Carolina and CBS Radio) and college basketball (for Davidson College and South Carolina) at various points in his career. Powell was a National Merit Scholar and is MENSA-qualified. He was inducted into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2020.

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