Cy Young

Cy Young
Charles M. Conlon · Public domain · source
Name	Cy Young
Caption	Young in 1911
Position	Pitcher
Birth date	29 March 1867
Birth place	Gilmore, Ohio
Death date	4 November 1955
Death place	Newcomerstown, Ohio
Debutdate	August 6
Debutyear	1890
Debutteam	Cleveland Spiders
Finaldate	October 11
Finalyear	1911
Finalteam	Boston Rustlers
Statyear	1911
Stat1label	Win–loss record
Stat1value	511–316
Stat2label	Earned run average
Stat2value	2.63
Stat3label	Strikeout
Stat3value	2,803
Teams	* Cleveland Spiders (1890–1898) * St. Louis Perfectos / Cardinals (1899–1900) * Boston Americans / Red Sox (1901–1908) * Cleveland Naps (1909–1911) * Boston Rustlers (1911)
Highlights	* World Series champion (1903) * Pitching Triple Crown (1901) * 2× MLB wins champion (1892, 1901) * 2× MLB ERA leader (1892, 1901) * MLB strikeout leader (1896) * Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame * Cleveland Guardians Hall of Fame * Major League Baseball All-Century Team

Cy Young. Denton True "Cy" Young was an American Major League Baseball pitcher whose career spanned from 1890 to 1911. He established numerous pitching records, many of which remain unbroken, including most career wins, innings pitched, complete games, and games started. His name was later immortalized through the Cy Young Award, the annual honor given to the best pitchers in the American League and National League.

Early life and career

Born on a farm in Gilmore, Ohio, Young's powerful arm was first noticed while he was playing for local semi-professional teams. He earned his famous nickname "Cy," short for "Cyclone," after his fastball reportedly tore through the wooden backstop during a tryout for the Cleveland Spiders of the National League. He signed with the Cleveland Spiders in 1890, beginning a professional career that would see him play for five different franchises. His early success was immediate, as he led the National League in wins during the 1892 Cleveland Spiders season.

Major League Baseball career

Young's career coincided with the formative years of modern professional baseball, including the rise of the American League as a major competitor. After nine seasons with the Cleveland Spiders, he was sent to the St. Louis Perfectos (later the St. Louis Cardinals) as part of a fire sale by Cleveland Spiders owners. In 1901, he jumped to the new American League, joining the Boston Americans (later the Boston Red Sox), where he won the league's Pitching Triple Crown and helped establish its credibility. He was a central figure for the Boston Americans in the first modern World Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1903. He finished his career with brief stints for the Cleveland Naps and the Boston Rustlers.

Pitching style and legacy

Renowned for his remarkable durability and consistent control, Young relied on a powerful fastball and a sharp curveball. He pitched during an era with a heavier baseball, a higher pitcher's mound, and fewer restrictions on pitchers, which contributed to his staggering workload. His most iconic achievement is his 511 career victories, a record considered among the most unbreakable in all of professional sports. His legacy is permanently enshrined in the name of the Cy Young Award, created in 1956 by Commissioner Ford Frick and first awarded to Don Newcombe of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Later life and death

After retiring from baseball, Young returned to his farm in Peoli, Ohio, and later lived in Newcomerstown, Ohio. He remained involved in the game, often making appearances at amateur events and Old-Timers' games. He suffered a heart attack and died in 1955 at his home in Newcomerstown, Ohio. He was interred at Peoli's Church of Christ Cemetery. His funeral was attended by representatives from the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox, reflecting his lasting impact on both franchises.

Awards and honors

Young was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 1937 as part of its second induction class. In 1999, he was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Aside from the award bearing his name, he is honored in the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Guardians Hall of Fame. A statue of him was erected outside Progressive Field in Cleveland, and his number was retired by the Boston Red Sox, though he played before the advent of uniform numbers.

Category:American baseball players Category:National Baseball Hall of Fame inductees Category:Boston Red Sox players