Cy Young Award

Cy Young Award. The Cy Young Award is the highest annual pitching honor in Major League Baseball, presented to the best pitcher in each league. It was established in 1956 by Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of legendary pitcher Cy Young, who won 511 games. The award was originally a single-league honor until 1967, when it was expanded to recognize a winner in both the American League and the National League.

History

The award was created during the 1956 season by then-Commissioner Ford Frick, shortly after the death of Cy Young. The inaugural winner was Don Newcombe of the Brooklyn Dodgers. For its first eleven years, only one award was given for all of Major League Baseball, a period dominated by pitchers like Sandy Koufax and Whitey Ford. Following the 1966 season, the Baseball Writers' Association of America voted to expand the award, leading to the first dual winners in 1967: Jim Lonborg in the American League and Mike McCormick in the National League. This change reflected the expansion of the leagues and the increasing specialization of the pitching role.

Selection process

The selection is conducted by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, with two writers from each MLB city casting ballots. Prior to 2010, voters selected one pitcher for the award; the system was then changed to a ranked ballot where writers select their top five choices. Points are awarded on a 7-4-3-2-1 basis, and the pitcher with the highest total wins. Voters consider traditional statistics like wins and earned run average, as well as advanced metrics such as strikeout rate and Wins Above Replacement. The announcement is typically made in November, following the conclusion of the World Series.

Winners

Winners have come from a wide range of franchises, with historic teams like the Dodgers and Braves boasting numerous recipients. Notable winners include Randy Johnson, who won four consecutive awards from 1999 to 2002, and Greg Maddux, who captured four in a row from 1992 to 1995. In the American League, pitchers like Roger Clemens and Justin Verlander have been multiple-time honorees. Recent winners feature dominant arms such as Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets and Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Guardians. The award has also recognized relievers, with Éric Gagné winning in 2003 and Dennis Eckersley in 1992.

Multiple winners

Several pitchers have won the award multiple times, underscoring sustained excellence. Roger Clemens holds the record with seven wins, capturing awards with the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Yankees. Randy Johnson earned five, primarily with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners. Steve Carlton and Greg Maddux each won four times, with Maddux achieving his with the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves. Other three-time winners include Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, and Tom Seaver. In the American League, Jim Palmer and Pedro Martínez are among the elite multiple recipients.

Records and statistics

Roger Clemens holds the record for most awards (7) and is the oldest winner, claiming his final honor at age 42 with the Houston Astros in 2004. The youngest winner is Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets, who won in 1985 at age 20. The largest margin of victory in the voting occurred in 1998, when Tom Glavine received 28 of 30 first-place votes. Sandy Koufax and Greg Maddux are tied for the most unanimous selections, each achieving three. No pitcher has ever won the award in both leagues in the same year, though Gaylord Perry and Randy Johnson won in each league during their careers.

Significance and impact

The award is a cornerstone of Major League Baseball's postseason honors, often influencing a pitcher's legacy and Hall of Fame candidacy. Winning can significantly impact a player's market value in free agency, as seen with contracts signed by Max Scherzer and David Price. The award's namesake, Cy Young, remains a towering figure in baseball history, with his win total considered an unbreakable record. The ceremony is a highlight of the offseason, alongside the Most Valuable Player Award and Rookie of the Year Award announcements. It celebrates pitching mastery and remains one of the sport's most prestigious individual achievements. Category:Major League Baseball awards Category:Baseball trophies and awards Category:Sports awards established in 1956