Chris Sale’s favorite 2024 All-Star is a former Red Sox teammate

The former Boston Red Sox pitcher and eight-time All-Star is back with baseball’s best players at the Midsummer Classic.

Sale is having his best season in years and has the lowest ERA in the National League entering the All-Star break. He posted a 2.70 ERA in 110 innings, the highest he has pitched since 2019 with his new club, the Atlanta Braves.

Sale admired all the talent at Globe Life Field during MLB Media Day before the Home Run Derby kicked off the week’s festivities, and his praise for a former Red Sox teammate stood out.

“(Jarren) Duran, he’s maybe my favorite All-Star here, honestly,” said Sale, reported by Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe. “What this guy can do on a baseball field is incredible. He’s in good position to score on first base.”

Sale burst into Duran’s interview on MLB Network to catch up with him again and congratulate him. The two players spoke with former pitcher Jake Peavy, who served in a similar mentoring role for Sale as he did for Duran.

“He doesn’t let an ounce of effort go to waste,” Sale continued of Duran. “I know how hard he had to work to get here and I know what he went through to get here. I can’t stop smiling when I think about it.”

Duran spoke about his mental health journey in the interview and shared that he looked to Sale as a guide during difficult times. Boston fans may not have the kindest feelings toward Sale since his trade in December, but Duran credits his mentorship as part of his journey through the big leagues.

Sale will not be playing at Globe Life Field this year, so unfortunately fans will not see him and Duran face off. But Sox fans and Sale will still see the result of Duran’s hard work when he takes the field in Arlington, Texas, with the rest of the American League’s best players.