Sport | Baseball |
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League | Major League Baseball |
Awarded for | Most outstanding starting and relief pitcher in the American League and National League |
Country | United States, Canada |
Presented by | Sporting News |
History | |
First award |
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Most recent |
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Sporting News established the Pitcher of the Year Award in 1944 to recognize the most outstanding pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB). [1] [2] It was given annually (except in 1946 and 1947) to one pitcher each in the American League and National League. In 2013, the Pitcher of the Year Award was split into the Starting Pitcher of the Year Award and Relief Pitcher of the Year Award, which are given annually to a starting pitcher and relief pitchers in each league, as judged by Sporting News baseball experts. [3]
By the Second World War, The Sporting News (now Sporting News ), had been giving Player of the Year and Manager of the Year awards since 1936, and an annual Most Valuable Player Award since 1929. [2] [4] In 1944, The Sporting News inaugurated its Pitcher of the Year Award, which has been given each year since to the most outstanding pitcher in each league, with a brief hiatus from 1946 to 1947. [2] Beginning in 2013, Sporting News issues two awards per league—one to the most outstanding starting pitcher, and one to the most outstanding reliever. [5] [6] [7] [8]
This award was established before there was a Cy Young Award, MLB's official honor for the best pitcher in each league. [1] [2] The Cy Young Award is voted by baseball writers from each city, and critics claim that the writers who follow a particular team or player throughout a season are naturally inclined to vote for him. [9]
Three knuckleball pitchers have won the award: Joe Niekro, Wilbur Wood and R. A. Dickey. [1] [2]
Accomplishment | American League | National League | Ref. | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Age | Year | Player | Age | Year | ||
First winner | Hal Newhouser † | 23 | 1944 | Bill Voiselle | 25 | 1944 | [10] [11] [12] [13] |
First two-time winner | Hal Newhouser † | 24 | 1945 | Robin Roberts | 29 | 1955 | [10] [11] [14] [15] |
First three-time winner | Bob Lemon † | 34 | 1954 | Warren Spahn † | 37 | 1958 | [16] [17] [18] [19] |
First four-time winner | Roger Clemens | 36 | 1998 | Warren Spahn † | 40 | 1961 | [20] [21] [18] [19] |
First five-time winner | Roger Clemens | 39 | 2001 | [20] [21] | |||
First to win two consecutive | Hal Newhouser † | 24 | 1945 | Warren Spahn † | 37 | 1958 | [10] [11] [18] [19] |
First to win three consecutive | Sandy Koufax † | 29 | 1965 | [22] [23] | |||
First to win four consecutive | Sandy Koufax † | 30 | 1966 | [22] [23] | |||
First to win in both leagues | Vida Blue | 22 | 1971 | Vida Blue | 29 | 1978 | [24] [25] |
Youngest winner | Vida Blue | 22 | 1971 | Dwight Gooden | 20 | 1985 | [24] [25] [26] [27] |
In 1946, Hal Newhouser (W-L: 26–9, ERA: 1.94, Ks: 275) could have narrowly won the award or tied with Bob Feller (W-L: 26–15, ERA: 2.18, Ks: 348) based upon his statistics. [10] [11] [28] [29] [30] [31] It would have been Newhouser's third consecutive win, a feat not yet accomplished by an American League pitcher; however, Sporting News did not issue the award in 1946 or 1947.
In 1981, Fernando Valenzuela won three Sporting News awards: Pitcher of the Year, Rookie Pitcher of the Year, and Player of the Year. [32] [33]
* | Also named SN Player of the Year |
** | Also named SN Rookie Pitcher of the year |
† | Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum |
§ | Major League Pitching Triple Crown [34] – Led Majors in Wins, Strikeouts and ERA. |
‡ | Indicates player won the Warren Spahn Award that season. [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] |
Player is active | |
Italics | Indicates player led the National or American League in Wins, Strikeouts, ERA or Saves. |
Italics | Indicates player led the Major League in Wins, Strikeouts, ERA or Saves. |
Listed below in reverse chronological order are the American League pitchers chosen by Sporting News as recipients of the Pitcher of the Year Award. [1] [2]
Year | Pitcher | Team | Record | ERA | K | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Gerrit Cole (3) | New York Yankees | 15–4 | 2.63 | 222 | [41] [42] [43] |
2022 | Justin Verlander (3) | Houston Astros | 18-4 | 1.75 | 185 | [44] [45] [46] |
2021 | Gerrit Cole (2) | New York Yankees | 16–8 | 3.23 | 243 | [41] [42] [47] |
2020 | Shane Bieber | Cleveland Indians | 8–1 | 1.63 | 122 | [48] [49] [50] |
2019 | Gerrit Cole (1) | Houston Astros | 20–5 | 2.50 | 326 | [41] [42] [51] |
2018 | Chris Sale (2) | Boston Red Sox | 12–4 | 2.11 | 237 | [52] [53] [54] |
2017 | Chris Sale (1) | Boston Red Sox | 17–8 | 2.90 | 308 | [52] [53] [55] |
2016 | Corey Kluber | Cleveland Indians | 18–9 | 3.14 | 227 | [56] [57] [58] |
2015 | Dallas Keuchel ‡ | Houston Astros | 20–8 | 2.48 | 216 | [59] [60] [61] |
2014 | Félix Hernández (2) | Seattle Mariners | 15–6 | 2.14 | 248 | [62] [63] [64] |
2013 | Max Scherzer (1) | Detroit Tigers | 21–3 | 2.90 | 240 | [5] [65] [66] |
Year | Pitchers | Team | Record | ERA | Saves | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Félix Bautista | Baltimore Orioles | 8–2 | 1.48 | 33 | [67] [68] [43] |
2022 | Emmanuel Clase | Cleveland Guardians | 3–4 | 1.36 | 42 | [69] [70] [46] |
2021 | Liam Hendriks (3) | Chicago White Sox | 8–1 | 2.54 | 38 | [71] [72] [47] |
2020 | Liam Hendriks (2) | Oakland Athletics | 3–1 | 1.78 | 14 | [71] [72] [50] |
2019 | Liam Hendriks (1) | Oakland Athletics | 4–4 | 1.80 | 25 | [71] [72] [51] |
2018 | Edwin Díaz (1) | Seattle Mariners | 0–4 | 1.96 | 57 | [73] [74] [54] |
2017 | Craig Kimbrel (3) | Boston Red Sox | 5–0 | 1.43 | 35 | [75] [76] [55] |
2016 | Zach Britton | Baltimore Orioles | 2–1 | 0.54 | 47 | [77] [78] [79] |
2015 | Dellin Betances (2) | New York Yankees | 6–4 | 1.50 | 9 | [80] [81] [82] |
2014 | Dellin Betances (1) | New York Yankees | 5–0 | 1.40 | 1 | [80] [81] [83] |
2013 | Greg Holland | Kansas City Royals | 2–1 | 1.21 | 47 | [6] [84] [85] |
Listed below in reverse chronological order are the National League pitchers chosen by Sporting News as recipients of the Pitcher of the Year Award. [1] [2]
Year | Pitchers | Team | Record | ERA | K | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Blake Snell ‡ | San Diego Padres | 14–9 | 2.25 | 234 | [168] [169] [170] |
2022 | Sandy Alcántara | Florida Marlins | 14–9 | 2.28 | 207 | [171] [172] [173] |
2021 | Max Scherzer (4) | Washington Nationals/Los Angeles Dodgers | 15–4 | 2.46 | 236 | [65] [66] [47] |
2020 | Jacob deGrom (3) | New York Mets | 4–2 | 2.38 | 104 | [174] [175] [176] |
2019 | Jacob deGrom (2) | New York Mets | 11–8 | 2.43 | 255 | [174] [175] [177] |
2018 | Jacob deGrom (1) | New York Mets | 10–9 | 1.70 | 269 | [174] [175] [178] |
2017 | Max Scherzer (3) | Washington Nationals | 16–6 | 2.51 | 268 | [65] [66] [55] |
2016 | Max Scherzer (2) | Washington Nationals | 20–7 | 2.96 | 284 | [65] [66] [179] |
2015 | Zack Greinke (2) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 19–3 | 1.66 | 200 | [88] [89] [180] |
2014 | Clayton Kershaw * ‡(3) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 21–3 | 1.77 | 239 | [35] [36] [170] [181] |
2013 | Clayton Kershaw ‡(2) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 16–9 | 1.83 | 232 | [7] [35] [36] |
Year | Pitchers | Team | Record | ERA | Saves | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Devin Williams (2) | Milwaukee Brewers | 8–3 | 1.56 | 36 | [182] [183] [43] |
2022 | Edwin Díaz (2) | New York Mets | 3–1 | 1.31 | 32 | [73] [74] [171] |
2021 | Josh Hader (1) | Milwaukee Brewers | 4–2 | 1.23 | 34 | [184] [185] [47] |
2020 | Devin Williams (1) | Milwaukee Brewers | 4–1 | 0.33 | 0 | [182] [183] [176] |
2019 | Kirby Yates | San Diego Padres | 0–5 | 1.19 | 41 | [186] [187] [177] |
2018 | Josh Hader (1) | Milwaukee Brewers | 6–1 | 2.43 | 12 | [184] [185] [178] |
2017 | Kenley Jansen (2) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 5–0 | 1.32 | 41 | [55] [188] [189] |
2016 | Kenley Jansen (1) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 3–2 | 2.20 | 47 | [190] [188] [189] |
2015 | Mark Melancon | Pittsburgh Pirates | 3–2 | 2.23 | 51 | [191] [192] [193] |
2014 | Craig Kimbrel (2) | Atlanta Braves | 0–3 | 1.61 | 47 | [170] [75] [76] [194] |
2013 | Craig Kimbrel (1) | Atlanta Braves | 4–3 | 1.21 | 50 | [8] [75] [76] |
Several players have won the Pitcher of the Year Award more than once: [1] [2]
Rank | Pitcher | # of Awards | Years |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Roger Clemens | 5 | 1986, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001 |
2 | Steve Carlton † | 4 | 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982 |
Sandy Koufax † | 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966 | ||
Greg Maddux † | 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 | ||
Warren Spahn † | 1953, 1957, 1958, 1961 | ||
Max Scherzer | 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021 | ||
7 | Whitey Ford † | 3 | 1955, 1961, 1963 |
Bob Lemon † | 1948, 1950, 1954 | ||
Pedro Martínez † | 1997, 1999, 2000 | ||
Jim Palmer † | 1973, 1975, 1976 | ||
Gerrit Cole | 2019, 2021, 2023 | ||
Jacob deGrom | 2018, 2019, 2020 | ||
Liam Hendriks | 2019, 2020, 2021 | ||
Clayton Kershaw | 2011, 2013, 2014 | ||
Craig Kimbrel | 2013, 2014, 2017 | ||
Justin Verlander | 2011, 2012, 2022 | ||
17 | Bob Gibson † | 2 | 1968, 1970 |
Tom Glavine † | 1991, 2000 | ||
Roy Halladay † | 2003, 2010 | ||
Hal Newhouser † | 1944, 1945 | ||
Robin Roberts † | 1952, 1953 | ||
Tom Seaver † | 1969, 1975 | ||
Vida Blue | 1971, 1978 | ||
Chris Carpenter | 2005, 2006 | ||
Jimmy Key | 1987, 1994 | ||
Denny McLain | 1968, 1969 | ||
Tim Lincecum | 2008, 2009 | ||
Billy Pierce | 1956, 1957 | ||
Bret Saberhagen | 1985, 1989 | ||
Johan Santana | 2004, 2006 | ||
Curt Schilling | 2001, 2002 | ||
Rick Sutcliffe | 1984, 1987 | ||
Dellin Betances | 2014, 2015 | ||
Edwin Díaz | 2019, 2022 | ||
Zack Greinke | 2009, 2015 | ||
Josh Hader | 2018, 2021 | ||
Félix Hernández | 2010, 2014 | ||
Kenley Jansen | 2016, 2017 | ||
Devin Williams | 2019, 2023 |
Only five Pitcher of the Year Award winners have led the major leagues in wins, ERA and strikeouts which is commonly called the Pitching Triple Crown. [34] Below is a complete list including individuals before the award was created.
Year | Player | Team | League | ERA | W | K | Rating | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1913 | Walter Johnson †(1) | Washington Senators | AL | 1.14* | 36* | 243* | 12.71 | [269] |
1915 | Grover Cleveland Alexander † | Philadelphia Phillies | NL | 1.22* | 31* | 241* | 12.62 | [270] |
1918 | Walter Johnson †(2) | Washington Senators | AL | 1.27* | 23* | 162* | 10.00 | [271] |
1924 | Dazzy Vance † | Brooklyn Robins | NL | 2.16* | 28* | 262* | 9.80 | [272] [273] |
1930 | Lefty Grove †(1) | Philadelphia Athletics | AL | 2.54* | 28* | 209* | 8.47 | [274] [275] |
1931 | Lefty Grove †(2) | Philadelphia Athletics | AL | 2.06* | 31* | 175* | 9.09 | [276] [277] |
1945 | Hal Newhouser † | Detroit Tigers | AL | 1.81* | 25* | 212* | 9.62 | [278] [279] |
1963 | Sandy Koufax †(1) | Los Angeles Dodgers | NL | 1.88* | 25* | 306* | 10.41 | [280] |
1965 | Sandy Koufax †(2) | Los Angeles Dodgers | NL | 2.04* | 26* | 382* | 11.39 | [281] |
1966 | Sandy Koufax †(3) | Los Angeles Dodgers | NL | 1.73* | 27* | 317* | 11.15 | [282] |
1985 | Dwight Gooden | New York Mets | NL | 1.53* | 24* | 268* | 9.88 | [283] [284] |
2006 | Johan Santana | Minnesota Twins | AL | 2.77* | 19* | 245* | 6.96 | [285] [286] |
2020 | Shane Bieber | Cleveland Indians | AL | 1.63* | 8* | 122* | 3.32 | [287] [288] |
Winning three or more Pitcher or Starting Pitcher of the Year Awards has been seen as a strong indicator of future admission to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame (as active players are not eligible for the Hall of Fame). All of the eligible pitchers with three or more awards have been elected to the Hall of Fame, with one exception: [289] Roger Clemens has the most (five) Pitcher of the Year Awards, is in the top ten for all-time wins and strikeouts, and is considered to be one of the best pitchers of all time. [290] Clemens' alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs is the major stumbling block to be elected to the Hall of Fame. [291]
Starting pitchers that have won three or more Pitcher of the Year Awards and the year they were inducted into Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. [292] Active player statistics are through the 2023 season.
Pitcher | # of Awards | Years | HOF Year | Wins | ERA | Ks | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steve Carlton † | 4 | 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982 | 1994 | 329 | 3.22 | 4,136 | [231] [232] |
Sandy Koufax † | 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966 | 1972 | 165 | 2.76 | 2,396 | [22] [23] | |
Greg Maddux † | 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 | 2014 | 355 | 3.16 | 3,371 | [217] [218] | |
Warren Spahn † | 1953, 1957, 1958, 1961 | 1973 | 363 | 3.09 | 2,583 | [18] [19] | |
Max Scherzer | 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021 | Active-Not Eligible | 214 | 3.15 | 3,367 | [65] [66] | |
Whitey Ford † | 3 | 1955, 1961, 1963 | 1974 | 236 | 2.75 | 1,956 | [150] [151] |
Bob Lemon † | 1948, 1950, 1954 | 1976 | 207 | 3.23 | 1,277 | [16] [17] | |
Pedro Martínez † | 1997, 1999, 2000 | 2015 | 219 | 2.93 | 3,154 | [98] [99] | |
Jim Palmer † | 1973, 1975, 1976 | 1990 | 268 | 2.86 | 2,212 | [132] [133] | |
Gerrit Cole | 2019, 2021, 2023 | Active-Not Eligible | 145 | 3.17 | 2,152 | [41] [42] | |
Jacob deGrom | 2018, 2019, 2020 | Active-Not Eligible | 84 | 2.53 | 1,652 | [174] [175] | |
Clayton Kershaw | 2011, 2013, 2014 | Active-Not Eligible | 210 | 2.48 | 2,944 | [35] [36] | |
Justin Verlander | 2011, 2012, 2022 | Active-Not Eligible | 257 | 3.24 | 3,342 | [44] [45] | |
Roger Clemens | 5 | 1986, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001 | – | 354 | 3.12 | 4,672 | [20] [21] |
MLB Hall of Famers that won the SN Pitchers of the Year award. [292]
Pitcher | # of Awards | Years | References |
---|---|---|---|
Steve Carlton † | 4 | 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982 | [231] [232] |
Sandy Koufax † | 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966 | [22] [23] | |
Greg Maddux † | 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 | [217] [218] | |
Warren Spahn † | 1953, 1957, 1958, 1961 | [18] [19] | |
Whitey Ford † | 3 | 1955, 1961, 1963 | [150] [151] |
Bob Lemon † | 1948, 1950, 1954 | [16] [17] | |
Pedro Martínez † | 1997, 1999, 2000 | [98] [99] | |
Jim Palmer † | 1973, 1975, 1976 | [132] [133] | |
Bob Gibson † | 2 | 1968, 1970 | [245] [246] |
Tom Glavine † | 1991, 2000 | [209] [210] | |
Roy Halladay † | 2003, 2010 | [94] [95] | |
Hal Newhouser † | 1944, 1945 | [10] [11] | |
Robin Roberts † | 1952, 1953 | [14] [15] | |
Tom Seaver † | 1969, 1975 | [237] [238] | |
Don Drysdale † | 1 | 1992 | [249] [250] |
Dennis Eckersley † | 1962 | [108] [109] | |
Bob Feller † | 1951 | [29] [30] | |
Catfish Hunter † | 1974 | [134] [135] | |
Ferguson Jenkins † | 1971 | [243] [244] | |
Randy Johnson † | 1995 | [102] [103] | |
Jack Morris † | 1981 | [122] [123] | |
Nolan Ryan † | 1977 | [130] [131] | |
John Smoltz † | 1996 | [215] [216] | |
Early Wynn † | 1959 | [156] [157] | |
Ten pitchers have recorded 300 wins and 3,000 strikeouts. A list of these elite pitchers with the years they won the Pitcher of the Year Award is below. Only two pitchers, Walter Johnson and Tom Seaver, have a career ERA below 3.00. Four pitchers have more than 4,000 career strikeouts. Walter Johnson is the best in wins, complete games, shutouts, ERA and WHIP. Nolan Ryan has the most strikeouts.
Pitcher | SN Pitcher of the Years | Wins | ERA | Ks | WHIP | CG | SHO | War for Pitchers | War per Year | Career Rating | Rating per Year | T | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steve Carlton † | 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982 | 329 | 3.22 | 4,136 | 1.247 | 254 | 55 | 84.13 | 3.501 | 120.70 | 5.029 | L | [231] |
Roger Clemens | 1986, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001 | 354 | 3.12 | 4,672 | 1.173 | 100 | 38 | 138.7 | 5.78 | 128.34 | 5.35 | R | [20] |
Randy Johnson † | 1995 | 303 | 3.29 | 4,875 | 1.171 | 100 | 37 | 103.53 | 4.71 | 114.41 | 5.20 | L | [102] |
Walter Johnson † | - | 417 | 2.17 | 3,508 | 1.061 | 531 | 110 | 152.36 | 7.26 | 160.48 | 7.64 | R | [293] |
Greg Maddux † | 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 | 355 | 3.16 | 3,371 | 1.143 | 109 | 35 | 104.78 | 4.56 | 115.29 | 5.01 | R | [217] |
Phil Niekro † | - | 318 | 3.35 | 3,342 | 1.268 | 245 | 45 | 96.97 | 4.04 | 109.81 | 4.58 | R | [294] |
Gaylord Perry † | - | 314 | 3.11 | 3,534 | 1.181 | 303 | 53 | 93.03 | 4.29 | 117.30 | 5.33 | R | [295] |
Nolan Ryan † | 1977 | 324 | 3.19 | 5,714 | 1.247 | 222 | 61 | 83.6 | 3.10 | 138.29 | 5.12 | R | [130] |
Tom Seaver † | 1969, 1975 | 311 | 2.86 | 3,640 | 1.121 | 231 | 61 | 106.07 | 5.31 | 118.68 | 5.93 | R | [237] |
Don Sutton † | - | 324 | 3.26 | 3,574 | 1.142 | 178 | 58 | 68.28 | 2.97 | 114.10 | 4.96 | R | [296] |
It is a rare occurrence when reigning Pitcher of the Year winners face off against each other.
The award was suspended for 1946–1947. A list of the lost year's top two pitchers in each league based on a pitcher rating composed of wins, ERA and strikeouts is below. A pitcher rating of 6.0 is considered very good. A rating of 9.00 (1.5*6) is rare. Bob Feller and Hal Newhouser in 1946 AL had a rating above 9.
Year | League | Pitcher | Team | Record | ERA | K | WHIP | Rating | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1947 | AL | Bob Feller † | Cleveland Indians | 20–11 | 2.68 | 196 | 1.194 | 7.43 | [29] [30] |
1947 | AL | Phil Marchildon | Philadelphia Athletics | 19–9 | 3.22 | 128 | 1.334 | 5.65 | [300] [301] |
1946 | AL | Bob Feller † | Cleveland Indians | 26–15 | 2.18 | 348 | 1.158 | 11.32 | [29] [30] |
1946 | AL | Hal Newhouser † | Detroit Tigers | 26–9 | 1.94 | 275 | 1.069 | 9.83 | [10] [11] |
1947 | NL | Ewell Blackwell | Cincinnati Reds | 22–8 | 2.47 | 193 | 1.179 | 7.59 | [302] [303] |
1947 | NL | Warren Spahn † | Milwaukee Braves | 21–10 | 2.33 | 123 | 1.136 | 7.20 | [18] [19] |
1946 | NL | Howie Pollet | St. Louis Cardinals | 21–10 | 2.10 | 107 | 1.180 | 7.03 | [263] [264] |
1946 | NL | Johnny Sain | Milwaukee Braves | 20–14 | 2.21 | 129 | 1.177 | 6.99 | [265] [266] |
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the only organization whose pitchers have won the Pitcher of the Year Award in 5 consecutive years: 1962–1966 (Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax) and 2013–2017 (Kershaw, Greinke and Jansen). Los Angeles (Brooklyn) Dodgers pitchers have won the award 18 times b ; Atlanta (Boston and Milwaukee) Braves pitchers have won the award 13 times. The following three (3) organizations have never had a pitcher win the award: Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, and Texas Rangers.
The Detroit Tigers have three pitchers who have won consecutive awards — Hal Newhouser (1944–1945), Denny McLain (1968–1969) and Justin Verlander (2011–2012). Each was also Player of the Year and AL MVP at least once while being Pitcher of the Year. [1] [2]
The Atlanta (Boston and Milwaukee) Braves also have three pitchers who have won consecutive awards — Warren Spahn (1957–1958), Greg Maddux (1992–1995) and Craig Kimbrel (2013–2014).`
Rank | Team | # of Awards | Years |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Los Angeles/Brooklyn Dodgers | 18 | 1951, 1956, 1962–1966, 1974, 1981, 1988, 2003, 2011, 2013–2017, 2021 |
2 | Atlanta/Milwaukee/Boston Braves | 13 | 1948, 1953, 1957–1958, 1961, 1991, 1993–1996, 2000, 2013–2014 |
3 | Cleveland Indians/Guardians | 11 | 1948, 1950–1951, 1954, 1962, 1970, 2007–2008, 2016, 2020, 2022 |
New York Yankees | 1955, 1958, 1961, 1963, 1978, 1994, 2001, 2014–2015, 2021, 2023 | ||
5 | Boston Red Sox | 9 | 1949, 1967, 1986, 1991, 1999, 2000, 2017(2), 2018 |
Detroit Tigers | 1944–1945, 1968–1969, 1981, 1984, 2011–2013 | ||
Philadelphia Phillies | 1950, 1952, 1955, 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982–1983, 2010 | ||
San Francisco/New York Giants | 1944, 1954, 1959, 1967, 1973, 1978, 2004, 2008–2009 | ||
9 | Baltimore Orioles | 8 | 1960, 1973, 1975–1976, 1979–1980, 2016, 2023 |
New York Mets | 1969, 1975, 1985, 2012, 2018–2020, 2022 | ||
Oakland/Philadelphia Athletics | 1952, 1971, 1974, 1990, 1992, 2002, 2019-2020 | ||
12 | Chicago White Sox | 7 | 1956–1957, 1959, 1972, 1983, 1993, 2021 |
13 | Houston Astros | 6 | 1979, 1986, 1999, 2015, 2019, 2022 |
Minnesota Twins/Washington Senators | 1953, 1965–1966, 1988, 2004, 2006 | ||
San Diego Padres | 1976, 1989, 1998, 2007, 2019, 2023 | ||
Toronto Blue Jays | 1982, 1987, 1996–1998, 2003 | ||
17 | Chicago Cubs | 5 | 1945, 1971, 1984, 1987, 1992 |
St. Louis Cardinals | 1949, 1968, 1970, 2005–2006 | ||
19 | Kansas City Royals | 4 | 1985, 1989, 2009, 2013 |
Milwaukee Brewers | 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023 | ||
Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos | 1997, 2016, 2017, 2021 | ||
Seattle Mariners | 1995, 2010, 2014, 2018 | ||
23 | Los Angeles (California) Angels of Anaheim | 3 | 1964, 1977, 2005 |
Pittsburgh Pirates | 1960, 1990, 2015 | ||
25 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 2 | 2001–2002 |
26 | Miami/Florida Marlins | 1 | 2022 |
Tampa Bay Rays | 2012 | ||
28 | Cincinnati Reds | 0 | none |
Colorado Rockies | none | ||
Texas Rangers | none |
a Sutfliffe statistics are for the NL only. His AL win–loss: 4–5, era: 5.15 and 58 strikeouts are not included.
b Max Scherzer was traded in July 2021 from Washington National to Los Angeles Dodgers. His award is credited to both teams.
The Cy Young Award is given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL). The award was introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955. The award was originally given to the single best pitcher in the major leagues, but in 1967, after the retirement of Frick, the award was given to one pitcher in each league.
Sanford Koufax, nicknamed "the Left Arm of God" and "Dandy Sandy", is an American former baseball pitcher who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers from 1955 to 1966. Widely regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, Koufax was the first three-time winner of the Cy Young Award, each time winning unanimously and the only pitcher to do so when a single award was given for both the leagues, and was also named the National League Most Valuable Player in 1963. Retiring at the age of 30 due to arthritis in his pitching elbow, Koufax was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1972 at the age of 36, the youngest player ever elected.
Harold Newhouser, nicknamed "Prince Hal," was an American professional baseball player. In Major League Baseball (MLB), he pitched 17 seasons on the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians, from 1939 through 1955. Newhouser was an All-Star for six seasons and was considered to be the most dominating pitcher of the World War II era of baseball, winning the pitching triple crown for the Tigers in 1945. To date, he is also the only pitcher in MLB history ever to win two consecutive MVP awards. Newhouser was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992.
Gregory Alan Maddux, also known as "Mad Dog" and "the Professor," is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily with the Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs. He won the 1995 World Series with the Braves over the Cleveland Indians. Maddux was the first pitcher in MLB history to win the Cy Young Award four consecutive years (1992–1995), matched by only one other pitcher, Randy Johnson. During those four seasons, Maddux had a 75–29 record with a 1.98 earned run average (ERA), while allowing less than one baserunner per inning.
In baseball, a player earns a Triple Crown when he leads a league in three specific statistical categories in the same season. The term "Triple Crown" generally refers to the batting achievement of leading a league in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in (RBI) over the same season. The term "Pitching Triple Crown" refers to the pitching achievement of leading a league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average (ERA).
Donald Scott Drysdale, nicknamed "Big D", was an American professional baseball pitcher and broadcaster who played in Major League Baseball. He spent his entire 14-year career with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. Known for being a fierce competitor, Drysdale won the Cy Young Award in 1962 and was a three-time World Series champion during his playing career.
Warren Edward Spahn was an American professional baseball pitcher who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). A left-handed pitcher, Spahn played in 1942 and then from 1946 until 1965, most notably for the Boston Braves, who became the Milwaukee Braves after the team moved west before the 1953 season. His baseball career was interrupted by his military service in the United States Army during World War II.
Juan Antonio Marichal Sánchez, nicknamed "the Dominican Dandy", is a Dominican former right-handed pitcher who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1960 to 1975, mostly with the San Francisco Giants. Known for his high leg kick, variety of pitches, arm angles and deliveries, pinpoint control, and durability, Marichal won 18 games to help the Giants reach the 1962 World Series, and went on to earn 191 victories in the 1960s, the most of any major league pitcher. He won over 20 games six times, on each occasion posting an earned run average (ERA) below 2.50 and striking out more than 200 batters, and became the first right-hander since Bob Feller to win 25 games three times; his 26 wins in 1968 remain a franchise record.
Donald Zackary Greinke is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Greinke primarily played with the Kansas City Royals in Major League Baseball (MLB) across two stints; from his 2004 debut to 2010, and from 2022 to 2023. He has also played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Houston Astros, the latter of which Greinke finished as a runner up in the 2019 and 2021 World Series.
The Sporting NewsPlayer of the Year Award is awarded annually by Sporting News to the most outstanding player in Major League Baseball. The honor was first given in 1936.
Robert Allen Dickey is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves.
Justin Brooks Verlander is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Detroit Tigers and New York Mets. From Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, Verlander attended Old Dominion University (ODU) and played college baseball for the Monarchs. He broke the Monarchs' and Colonial Athletic Association's career records for strikeouts. At the 2003 Pan American Games, Verlander helped lead the United States national team to a silver medal.
Timothy Leroy Lincecum, nicknamed "the Freak", is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played ten seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily for the San Francisco Giants. A two-time Cy Young Award winner, Lincecum helped the Giants win three World Series championships from 2010 through 2014.
Clayton Edward Kershaw is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. A left-handed starting pitcher, Kershaw has spent his entire Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Los Angeles Dodgers since debuting in 2008. He is a ten-time All-Star, three-time National League (NL) Cy Young Award winner, the 2014 NL Most Valuable Player, and a World Series champion in 2020. His 2.48 career earned run average (ERA) and 1.00 walks plus hits per inning pitched rate (WHIP) are the lowest among starters in the live-ball era. Kershaw has a career hits allowed per nine innings pitched average of 6.82, the third-lowest in MLB history. He has been described for much of his career as the best pitcher in baseball, and one of the greatest pitchers of all time.
The 1968 St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 87th season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 77th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 97–65 during the season, winning their second consecutive NL pennant, this time by nine games over the San Francisco Giants. They lost in 7 games to the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. The Cardinals would not return to the postseason until 1982.
Maxwell Martin Scherzer is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets. A right-handed starting pitcher, Scherzer is an eight-time MLB All-Star, has won three Cy Young Awards, has pitched two no-hitters, and won the World Series with the Nationals in 2019, and the Texas Rangers in 2023. Known for his intensity and competitiveness on the field, he is nicknamed "Mad Max" after the film series of the same name.
The 1946 Detroit Tigers finished the season with a record of 92–62, twelve games behind the Boston Red Sox. The season was their 46th since they entered the American League in 1901.
The 1945 Major League Baseball season featured 16 teams, eight in both the American League (AL) and National League (NL). The AL's Detroit Tigers defeated the NL's Chicago Cubs in the World Series, four games to three. It would prove to be the Cubs’ last appearance in a World Series until the 2016 World Series.
Max Dorian Fried is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). Drafted in 2012 by the San Diego Padres in the first round, seventh overall, Fried made his major league debut in 2017. His 17 wins in 2019 were 2nd-most in the National League, and his seven wins in 2020 were again 2nd-most in the NL. Fried pitched 6 shut-out innings in the final game of the 2021 World Series against the Houston Astros, helping lead the Braves to their first World Series title in 26 years. Through 2023, Fried had the best career win–loss percentage of all Braves pitchers, at .705.
Dallas Keuchel is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins.
But Clemens is, after [Barry] Bonds, the next face of the steroid era. He has been charged with lying before Congress about his use of performance-enhancing drugs. He has no chance to make it to Cooperstown next year, or for many, many years to come.