A Historical Perspective on Relievers Dominating the Cy Young Award
In the annals of Major League Baseball history, the contributions of relief pitchers have often been overshadowed by the grandeur and endurance of starting pitchers. Yet, select relievers have etched their names into the record books by clinching the prestigious Cy Young Award, traditionally dominated by their starting counterparts.
Mike Marshall’s 1974 season is often regarded as one of the most extraordinary in the history of the game. Marshall, with his indomitable spirit and robust arm, worked an astounding 200 innings in relief for the Los Angeles Dodgers, a feat that earned him the National League Cy Young Award. This remarkable achievement paved the way for relievers to be considered serious contenders for an award typically garnered by starters.
Three years later, in 1977, Sparky Lyle of the New York Yankees followed in Marshall's footsteps, capturing the American League Cy Young Award. Lyle's success further illustrated that relievers could indeed dominate in a starter-heavy award category.
Bruce Sutter’s ascent in 1979 was a testament to his prowess as one of the most formidable closers of his era. Sutter's performance that season secured him the NL Cy Young Award and solidified his status among the elite relievers in baseball history.
The precedent set by these pioneers opened doors for future relievers. Rollie Fingers, with his stellar 1981 season for the Milwaukee Brewers, not only clinched the AL Cy Young but also the AL MVP, pitching 78 innings with extraordinary finesse. Fingers’ dual accolades were a rare combination, underscoring his pivotal role in his team's success.
In 1984, Willie Hernandez of the Detroit Tigers replicated Fingers’ dual triumph by winning both the AL MVP and Cy Young Award. Hernandez posted an impressive 1.92 ERA over 140 1/3 innings, demonstrating that relievers could be as influential as starters in shaping a season’s narrative.
Steve Bedrosian's accolades in 1987 with the Philadelphia Phillies, marked by 40 saves in 48 chances and 89 innings pitched, earned him the NL Cy Young Award. Two years later, Mark Davis continued the trend by winning the 1989 NL Cy Young Award after converting 44 saves in 48 opportunities and pitching 92 2/3 innings for the San Diego Padres.
The 1992 season further cemented the prominence of relievers with Dennis Eckersley of the Oakland Athletics claiming both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards. Eckersley's 80 innings of relief work were both efficient and exceptional, showcasing the high impact a reliever can have.
The narrative took a significant pause until 2003, when Eric Gagne of the Los Angeles Dodgers, with his electrifying presence on the mound, won the NL Cy Young Award. Gagne's dominance in relief remains a touchstone, as he stands as the last reliever to secure the award post-Eckersley.
While current relievers like Craig Kimbrel and Aroldis Chapman have established themselves as bullpen stalwarts, having been cultivated specifically for relief roles from the onset of their careers, the Cy Young accolades for relievers remain a rare honor. Kimbrel, notable for not having started a single game in the minors except during a rehabilitation stint in 2016, epitomizes the modern bullpen ace. Similarly, Chapman, who transitioned to the bullpen in 2010, has been a force to reckon with.
Emmanuel Clase's recent exploits, with 38 saves in 41 chances and astonishing metrics such as a 0.59 ERA and 0.67 WHIP, coupled with 53 strikeouts and only seven unintentional walks over 61 1/3 innings, point towards his elite status. However, pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans currently rank higher in the AL pitcher WAR metric. These performances demonstrate the depth of talent and the competitive environment among today's pitchers.
As the landscape of Major League Baseball continues to evolve, the significant roles played by relievers could lead to future recognition and accolades. The history of relievers winning the Cy Young Award serves as a reminder of their indispensable contributions and their capacity to alter the trajectory of a season, but their path remains extraordinarily challenging, filtering only the finest into the realm of Cy Young winners.