Historic Cy Young Performances
The role of relief pitchers in Major League Baseball has evolved dramatically over the years, highlighted by some historic Cy Young Award-winning performances. Mike Marshall’s 1974 season remains one of the most remarkable feats in baseball history. Setting a precedent for relievers, Marshall's work across 200 innings of relief earned him the National League Cy Young Award, challenging the traditional view that such accolades were reserved for starting pitchers.
Following in Marshall's footsteps, Sparky Lyle captured the 1977 American League Cy Young Award, further emphasizing that relievers could excel in a starter-centric award category. Bruce Sutter's dominance in 1979 not only won him the NL Cy Young but also cemented his status as one of the era's most formidable closers.
Dual Accolades: MVP and Cy Young
Rollie Fingers in 1981 and Willie Hernandez in 1984 elevated the role of relievers by securing both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards. Fingers achieved this with just 78 innings pitched, while Hernandez recorded a stellar 1.92 ERA over 140 1/3 innings, demonstrating that relievers could provide immense value in high-pressure situations.
The trend of outstanding relief pitching continued with Steve Bedrosian, who clinched the NL Cy Young in 1987, with an impressive 40 saves in 48 chances and 89 innings pitched. Mark Davis's 1989 season was another testament to relievers' crucial roles, converting 44 saves in 48 opportunities and amassing 92 2/3 innings to win the NL Cy Young.
Dennis Eckersley’s 1992 performance remains one of the most remarkable, as he claimed both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards with 80 innings of relief work. This period showcased the increasing reliance and respect for elite relief pitching in critical game moments.
The Modern Era of Relievers
Eric Gagne’s 2003 NL Cy Young win stands as a lone testament in the modern era, highlighting the scarcity of Cy Young accolades for relievers post-Eckersley. Gagne remains the only reliever to secure a Cy Young Award in this timeframe, marking a significant milestone in the evolving bullpen strategies.
Amongst today’s prominent relief pitchers, Craig Kimbrel has been a stalwart in the bullpen since being drafted specifically as a reliever. Notably, Kimbrel did not start a single game in the minors until a rehabilitation stint in 2016, emphasizing the growing trend of pitchers being groomed exclusively for bullpen roles. Aroldis Chapman made a significant transition to the bullpen in 2010, further strengthening the era of specialized relievers.
Current Standouts
Emmanuel Clase's recent performance highlights the sustained excellence expected from top-tier relievers. Saving 38 games in 41 chances, Clase's impressive stats include a 0.59 ERA and 0.67 WHIP, with 53 strikeouts and only seven unintentional walks over 61 1/3 innings. Despite his excellence, pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans rank higher than Clase in AL pitcher WAR, illustrating the competitive landscape and multi-faceted evaluation of pitchers’ contributions.
Transitions within leagues and varying roles add to the dynamic nature of evaluating pitching talent. Fedde’s transition to the National League and Skubal’s cautious approach through September reveal the strategic decisions teams make regarding their pitchers. Anderson's performance, marked by a 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP, along with Ragans' anticipated strong performances despite recent injury, further highlight the fluid and adaptive roles of pitchers in modern baseball.
Conclusion
The landscape of Major League Baseball has seen significant contributions from relief pitchers, challenging the conventional wisdom that starter pitchers monopolize accolades like the Cy Young Award. From historic seasons by Mike Marshall and Rollie Fingers to modern dominations by Craig Kimbrel and Emmanuel Clase, the evolving role of relievers continues to shape the narrative of baseball excellence.