When Chris Sale, one of the most respected pitchers of his generation, calls Jacob deGrom “the baddest dude” he’s ever seen, it tells you everything you need to know
It’s not just about velocity or ERA—it’s about a body of work built on dominance, consistency, and resilience.
DeGrom’s career may have faced setbacks, but his legacy remains intact. He’s more than a pitcher—he’s a standard of excellence.
And as long as he takes the mound, hitters will approach the batter’s box knowing they’re up against one of the best to ever do it.
Baseball is full of moments that transcend the game—a single swing, a legendary pitch, a chance encounter. Jacob deGrom’s home run off Chris Sale is one of those moments.
It’s not just a funny story or a cool video clip—it’s a chapter in the origin stories of two of baseball’s modern greats.
For fans of the game, it’s a reminder that even the brightest stars had humble beginnings. And sometimes, those beginnings involve a pitcher unexpectedly launching a ball into orbit off another future ace. Baseball, after all, is unpredictable like that—and that’s why we love it.
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Table of Contents
Chris Sale’s Ultimate Compliment
Jacob deGrom Is the “Baddest Dude” on the Mound
When it comes to respect among elite athletes, few compliments carry as much weight as one from a fellow great.1
So, when seven-time All-Star pitcher Chris Sale referred to Jacob deGrom as “the baddest dude I’ve ever seen on a mound,” it sent ripples through the baseball world.
These words, spoken during his appearance on On Base with Mookie Betts, reflected not just admiration, but a deep appreciation of talent born from firsthand experience.
College Rivals in Florida: A Clash of Future Stars
Long before they became MLB stars, Chris Sale and Jacob deGrom crossed paths on college diamonds in Florida.
Sale played at Florida Gulf Coast University, while deGrom was at Stetson University. Though both pitchers would later ascend to MLB stardom, those early college encounters were just the beginning of a mutual respect that has endured for more than a decade.
In those days, neither could have predicted the paths their careers would take. Sale’s dominating left-handed delivery and deGrom’s electric right arm offered early signs of greatness.
As they faced off in the Sunshine State, both men were unknowingly laying the groundwork for careers that would intersect again—this time on a national stage.
DeGrom’s Prime: A Reign of Fear and Dominance
DeGrom’s time with the New York Mets cemented him as one of the most feared pitchers in baseball. Particularly in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, he reigned supreme over National League hitters.
In those two years, he claimed back-to-back Cy Young Awards, combining overpowering fastballs with an uncanny ability to locate pitches with surgical precision.
In 2018, deGrom posted a historic 1.70 ERA over 217 innings, a feat rarely seen in the modern era. Despite poor run support from the Mets’ offense, he finished with a 10-9 record—proof that wins and losses don’t always reflect dominance.
The following year, he returned with a 2.43 ERA and struck out 255 batters in 204 innings. DeGrom wasn’t just good—he was generational.
Chris Sale Breaks It Down: Why deGrom Stands Alone?
Speaking candidly on Betts’ podcast, Sale didn’t hold back in his praise. “Pound-for-pound, that might be the baddest dude I’ve ever seen on a mound,” he said.2
“Like, pure stuff-wise? I mean, it’s pretty incredible.” Coming from Sale—a pitcher known for his own dominance and electric stuff—this compliment spoke volumes.
Sale’s words weren’t just empty flattery. He understands what it takes to dominate hitters at the highest level.
For him to call deGrom the best, even in a league filled with elite arms like Gerrit Cole, Max Scherzer, and Shohei Ohtani, highlights the unique skillset deGrom brings to the game.
Injuries: The Only Thing That Could Slow deGrom Down
As much as deGrom has wowed fans and confounded hitters, his career has been hampered by injuries. Since his peak in 2018–2019, deGrom has faced a slew of physical setbacks that limited his time on the field.
Shoulder inflammation, elbow soreness, and eventually Tommy John surgery sidelined him for extended stretches.
Despite these challenges, deGrom never lost his form when healthy. Even during shortened seasons, he continued to flash triple-digit heat, a devastating slider, and impeccable control. But the long layoffs raised questions: Could he return to dominance? Would he ever be the same?
A New Chapter: Signing with the Texas Rangers
In December 2022, deGrom made a major career move by signing a five-year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers. It was a bold bet by the organization—and by deGrom himself.
He left the comfort and familiarity of Queens for a new challenge, aiming to anchor a developing Rangers rotation and lead them back to postseason relevance.
The deal was one of the most discussed free-agent signings of the offseason. Some saw it as risky given deGrom’s injury history, but others viewed it as a game-changing acquisition.
When healthy, deGrom is arguably the most dominant pitcher in baseball. That’s a risk many teams would take.
Chris Sale: Return to the Mound
September 13, 2024
After 504 days of recovery and rehabilitation, deGrom made his long-awaited return to the mound on September 13, 2024, against the Seattle Mariners.3
The anticipation was palpable. Fans and analysts alike tuned in to see whether deGrom still had the magic.
He delivered. Though still building up his endurance, he showed flashes of his former self—crisp mechanics, high velocity, and the composure of a veteran.
Since his return, deGrom has made six starts, compiling a 1-1 record with a 2.73 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. Those numbers are a reminder: when deGrom pitches, excellence is never far behind.
A Legacy Carved in Velocity and Control
What separates deGrom from his peers isn’t just his velocity—though he regularly hits 100 mph—it’s his command and composure.
His ability to throw any pitch for a strike, in any count, against any hitter, is what makes him special. Combine that with a motion so smooth it barely betrays the ball’s speed, and you have a pitcher who can make the best hitters in the world look helpless.
DeGrom’s arsenal includes a four-seam fastball that rides high in the zone, a sweeping slider, a biting curveball, and an underrated changeup.
When he’s on, even All-Star batters admit they’re guessing. His fastball-slider combo, in particular, is nearly unhittable when tunneled correctly.
Mutual Respect: Sale and deGrom as Peers and Admirers
Chris Sale and Jacob deGrom may be competitors, but their bond is one of deep professional respect.
Both know the grind of preparing to face elite hitters every five days. Both have endured injuries. And both have been asked to be the face of a franchise’s pitching staff.
Sale’s compliment of deGrom reveals something more than admiration—it shows reverence.
In the world of elite athletes, being called “the baddest dude” isn’t casual praise. It’s acknowledgment of greatness from someone who understands what true dominance looks like.
What the Future Holds for deGrom
At 36 years old and coming off multiple injuries, deGrom is in the latter stages of his career. But if his recent performances are any indication, he still has something left in the tank.
The Rangers hope to ride his talent and leadership to a deep playoff run, and deGrom seems motivated to add a new chapter to his already remarkable legacy.
More importantly, deGrom’s perseverance has become a blueprint for younger pitchers. He’s shown that elite performance isn’t just about talent—it’s about preparation, mental strength, and adaptability.
Even when sidelined, deGrom has remained a student of the game.
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Jacob deGrom Took Chris Sale Deep
Before they became household names in Major League Baseball, Jacob deGrom and Chris Sale were young talents battling it out in Florida’s Atlantic Sun Conference.
Long before the Cy Young discussions and All-Star appearances, they were college kids trying to prove themselves on the mound—and occasionally at the plate.
One unforgettable moment between the two involved not just a routine plate appearance, but a jaw-dropping home run that remains the stuff of legend.
Florida Roots: The Early Days of Two Aces
Chris Sale attended Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) in Fort Myers, while Jacob deGrom played for Stetson University in DeLand.
The schools were rivals in the Atlantic Sun Conference, and the proximity ensured that these two future MLB stars would often face off.
At that time, deGrom wasn’t solely a pitcher. He was a shortstop who occasionally took the mound. It wasn’t until later that he would transition fully into one of the most dominant arms in the game.
Sale, on the other hand, was already crafting his reputation as a dangerous lefty with a fierce delivery and elite strikeout stuff.
Their college matchups were highly competitive, and one particular meeting in Nashville, Tennessee—at Lipscomb University—became the source of an unforgettable memory.
Chris Sale and deGrom’s Transition to Stardom
After their time in college, both pitchers took their talents to the major leagues and quickly made names for themselves.
Chris Sale was drafted by the Chicago White Sox and later found immense success with the Boston Red Sox.
Known for his wipeout slider and menacing presence on the mound, he became a consistent Cy Young contender and a World Series champion in 2018. In 2024, Sale experienced a career resurgence and added another Cy Young Award to his resume.
Jacob deGrom, drafted by the New York Mets, eventually became one of the most feared pitchers in all of baseball.
His fastball routinely clocked in the upper 90s, and his pinpoint command helped him win back-to-back Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019. Injuries slowed him down in later seasons, but when healthy, deGrom remains practically unhittable.
A Rare Feat from a Dominant Arm
- It’s easy to forget now, with deGrom being known as a pitcher, that he had real two-way potential in college.
- This one towering home run serves as a reminder that his athleticism went beyond the mound. It’s a tale that blends humor, nostalgia, and respect.
- Even Sale, who could have easily brushed it off, fully embraced the memory. There’s something admirable about two elite competitors reflecting on their younger days with laughter and mutual admiration.
- The Atlantic Sun Conference isn’t often talked about in the same breath as the SEC or ACC when it comes to baseball powerhouses. But it has quietly produced MLB stars, and the Sale-deGrom rivalry is proof of that.
- Moments like deGrom’s bomb off Sale show that greatness can emerge from anywhere. It’s these kinds of stories that fuel the legends we see in the majors today.
- College baseball, often overlooked, is a crucible for development, resilience, and surprise moments like this one.
- When Sale sat with Mookie Betts and watched the clip, it was more than just a reaction—it was a moment of reverence.
- Sale wasn’t just laughing at a random clip; he was respecting deGrom’s rare feat, acknowledging a part of history that tied them together forever.
- Betts, a star in his own right, seemed amused by the exchange. Seeing two elite pitchers discuss a long-forgotten college home run adds an unexpected, human layer to the often serious world of professional sports.
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