In the hallowed halls of baseball history, few awards shine as brightly as the Cy Young Award. Named after the legendary pitcher who amassed an astounding 511 victories during his illustrious 22-year career, this prestigious honor has been bestowed upon the game’s most exceptional hurlers since 1956. The award stands as a testament to the skill, dedication, and sheer dominance of those who have earned the right to be called Cy Young winners.
The Cy Young Award’s origins can be traced back to the mid-1950s when then-Commissioner Ford Frick sought to recognize the most outstanding pitcher in Major League Baseball. Initially, the award was given to a single pitcher each year, irrespective of their league affiliation. However, in 1967, the format was changed to honor the best pitcher from both the American League and National League, a tradition that continues to this day.
The Early Years: Koufax, Drysdale, and Ford
The inaugural Cy Young Award was presented to Don Newcombe of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956, setting the stage for a parade of pitching legends to follow. The late 1950s and early 1960s saw the rise of Dodgers’ greats Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, who combined to win five Cy Young Awards between 1962 and 1966. Not to be outdone, New York Yankees ace Whitey Ford captured the 1961 award, solidifying his status as one of the era’s most dominant left-handers.
The Golden Age: Seaver, Carlton, and Palmer
As baseball entered the 1970s, a new crop of pitching stars emerged to leave their mark on the Cy Young Award’s legacy. Tom Seaver, the face of the New York Mets franchise, earned three Cy Young Awards between 1969 and 1975, cementing his place among the game’s all-time greats. Not to be outdone, Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies captured four Cy Young Awards in the 1970s and early 1980s, showcasing his mastery of the slider and his indomitable will to win.
Meanwhile, in the American League, Jim Palmer of the Baltimore Orioles proved to be a model of consistency, winning three Cy Young Awards and finishing in the top five in voting an astonishing eight times between 1970 and 1978. The 1970s also saw the rise of relievers as serious Cy Young contenders, with Mike Marshall (1974) and Sparky Lyle (1977) becoming the first bullpen aces to secure the award.
The Modern Era: Clemens, Johnson, and Maddux
As the 20th century drew to a close, a new generation of pitchers left an indelible mark on the Cy Young Award’s history. Roger Clemens, known as “The Rocket,” won a record seven Cy Young Awards between 1986 and 2004, showcasing his blazing fastball and fierce competitive spirit. Not to be outdone, Randy Johnson, the towering left-hander known as “The Big Unit,” captured five Cy Young Awards between 1995 and 2002, striking fear into the hearts of batters with his intimidating presence and devastating slider.
In the National League, Greg Maddux redefined the art of pitching, relying on pinpoint control, movement, and guile to win four consecutive Cy Young Awards from 1992 to 1995. Maddux’s teammate, Tom Glavine, also left his mark, winning two Cy Young Awards and finishing in the top three in voting four other times during the 1990s.
The New Millennium: Kershaw, Scherzer, and Verlander
As the 21st century dawned, a new crop of pitching stars emerged to etch their names in Cy Young Award lore. Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers has won three Cy Young Awards (2011, 2013, 2014) and finished in the top five in voting seven other times, establishing himself as one of the greatest left-handers in baseball history. In the American League, Justin Verlander has captured two Cy Young Awards (2011, 2019) and finished in the top five in voting seven other times, showcasing his durability and dominance over nearly two decades.
Perhaps no pitcher has defined the modern era more than Max Scherzer, who has won three Cy Young Awards (2013, 2016, 2017) and finished in the top five in voting seven other times. Scherzer’s intensity, competitiveness, and ability to strike out batters at a historic rate have made him the face of the Cy Young Award in recent years.
2023 Winners: Gerrit Cole and Blake Snell
The 2023 Cy Young Award winners, Gerrit Cole (AL) and Blake Snell (NL), further cement the award’s legacy of recognizing pitching excellence. Cole, the ace of the New York Yankees staff, showcased his overpowering fastball and devastating breaking pitches en route to his first Cy Young Award. Snell, meanwhile, captured his second Cy Young Award, following up his 2018 win with another dominant season for the San Diego Padres, baffling hitters with his electric stuff and unmatched competitiveness.
“Winning the Cy Young Award is a dream come true, and I’m honored to be mentioned alongside so many legendary pitchers. It’s a testament to the hard work, dedication, and support of my teammates and coaching staff.”
– Gerrit Cole, 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner
As the game of baseball continues to evolve, the Cy Young Award remains a constant, a shining beacon that honors the very best pitchers of each generation. From the early days of Koufax and Drysdale to the modern dominance of Kershaw, Scherzer, and Cole, the Cy Young Award has stood the test of time, enshrining the legacies of those who have mastered the art of pitching at the highest level.
In the end, the Cy Young Award is more than just a trophy or a line on a résumé; it is a symbol of excellence, a recognition of the blood, sweat, and tears poured into the pursuit of pitching perfection. As future generations of hurlers take the mound, they will do so with the knowledge that their efforts, their triumphs, and their indomitable spirit will forever be celebrated in the annals of baseball history, enshrined alongside the legends who have come before them in the hallowed brotherhood of Cy Young Award winners.
