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]
Sport | Baseball |
---|---|
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 |
|
Most recent |
|
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Gerrit Cole (2) | New York Yankees | 16–8 | 3.23 | 243 | [41][42][43] |
2020 | Shane Bieber | Cleveland Indians | 8–1 | 1.63 | 122 | [44][45][46] |
2019 | Gerrit Cole (1) | Houston Astros | 20–5 | 2.50 | 326 | [41][42][47] |
2018 | Chris Sale (2) | Boston Red Sox | 12–4 | 2.11 | 237 | [48][49][50] |
2017 | Chris Sale (1) | Boston Red Sox | 17–8 | 2.90 | 308 | [48][49][51] |
2016 | Corey Kluber | Cleveland Indians | 18–9 | 3.14 | 227 | [52][53][54] |
2015 | Dallas Keuchel | Houston Astros | 20–8 | 2.48 | 216 | [55][56][57] |
2014 | Félix Hernández (2) | Seattle Mariners | 15–6 | 2.14 | 248 | [58][59][60] |
2013 | Max Scherzer (1) | Detroit Tigers | 21–3 | 2.90 | 240 | [5][61][62] |
Year | Pitchers | Team | Record | ERA | Saves | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Liam Hendriks (3) | Chicago White Sox | 8–1 | 2.54 | 38 | [63][64][43] |
2020 | Liam Hendriks (2) | Oakland Athletics | 3–1 | 1.78 | 14 | [63][64][46] |
2019 | Liam Hendriks (1) | Oakland Athletics | 4–4 | 1.80 | 25 | [63][64][47] |
2018 | Edwin Díaz | Seattle Mariners | 0–4 | 1.96 | 57 | [65][66][50] |
2017 | Craig Kimbrel (3) | Boston Red Sox | 5–0 | 1.43 | 35 | [67][68][51] |
2016 | Zach Britton | Baltimore Orioles | 2–1 | 0.54 | 47 | [69][70][71] |
2015 | Dellin Betances (2) | New York Yankees | 6–4 | 1.50 | 9 | [72][73][74] |
2014 | Dellin Betances (1) | New York Yankees | 5–0 | 1.40 | 1 | [72][73][75] |
2013 | Greg Holland | Kansas City Royals | 2–1 | 1.21 | 47 | [6][76][77] |
Year | Pitcher | Team | Record | ERA | K | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | Justin Verlander (2) | Detroit Tigers |
17–8 | 2.64 | 239 | [78][79] |
David Price | Tampa Bay Rays | 20–5 | 2.56 | 205 | [80][81] | |
2011 | Justin Verlander* (1) | Detroit Tigers | 24–5 | 2.40 | 250 | [78][79] |
2010 | Félix Hernández (1) | Seattle Mariners | 13–12 | 2.27 | 232 | [58][59] |
2009 | Zack Greinke (1) | Kansas City Royals | 16–8 | 2.16 | 242 | [82][83] |
2008 | Cliff Lee | Cleveland Indians | 22–3 | 2.54 | 170 | [84][85] |
2007 | CC Sabathia | Cleveland Indians | 19–7 | 3.21 | 209 | [39][40] |
2006 | Johan Santana §(2) | Minnesota Twins | 19–6 | 2.77 | 245 | [37][38] |
2005 | Bartolo Colón | Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | 21–8 | 3.48 | 157 | [86][87] |
2004 | Johan Santana (1) | Minnesota Twins | 20–6 | 2.61 | 265 | [37][38] |
2003 | Roy Halladay (1) | Toronto Blue Jays | 22–7 | 3.25 | 204 | [88][89] |
2002 | Barry Zito | Oakland Athletics | 23–5 | 2.75 | 182 | [90][91] |
2001 | Roger Clemens (5) | New York Yankees | 20–3 | 3.51 | 213 | [20][21] |
2000 | Pedro Martínez (3) | Boston Red Sox | 18–6 | 1.74 | 284 | [92][93] |
1999 | Pedro Martínez (2) | Boston Red Sox | 23–4 | 2.07 | 313 | [92][93] |
1998 | Roger Clemens (4) | Toronto Blue Jays | 20–6 | 2.65 | 271 | [20][21] |
1997 | Roger Clemens (3) | Toronto Blue Jays | 21–7 | 2.05 | 292 | [20][21] |
1996 | Pat Hentgen | Toronto Blue Jays | 20–10 | 3.22 | 177 | [94][95] |
1995 | Randy Johnson | Seattle Mariners | 18–2 | 2.48 | 294 | [96][97] |
1994 | Jimmy Key (2) | New York Yankees | 17–4 | 2.48 | 177 | [98][99] |
1993 | Jack McDowell | Chicago White Sox | 22–10 | 3.37 | 158 | [100][101] |
1992 | Dennis Eckersley | Oakland Athletics | 7–1 | 1.91 | 93 | [102][103] |
1991 | Roger Clemens (2) | Boston Red Sox | 18–10 | 2.62 | 241 | [20][21] |
1990 | Bob Welch | Oakland Athletics | 27–6 | 2.95 | 127 | [104][105] |
1989 | Bret Saberhagen (2) | Kansas City Royals | 23–6 | 2.16 | 193 | [106][107] |
1988 | Frank Viola | Minnesota Twins | 24–7 | 2.64 | 193 | [108][109] |
1987 | Jimmy Key (1) | Toronto Blue Jays | 17–8 | 2.76 | 161 | [98][99] |
1986 | Roger Clemens* (1) | Boston Red Sox | 24–4 | 2.48 | 238 | [20][21] |
1985 | Bret Saberhagen (1) | Kansas City Royals | 20–6 | 2.87 | 143 | [106][107] |
1984 | Willie Hernández | Detroit Tigers | 9–3 | 1.92 | 112 | [110][111] |
1983 | LaMarr Hoyt | Chicago White Sox | 24–10 | 3.66 | 148 | [112][113] |
1982 | Dave Stieb | Toronto Blue Jays | 17–14 | 3.25 | 138 | [114][115] |
1981 | Jack Morris | Detroit Tigers | 14–7 | 3.05 | 97 | [116][117] |
1980 | Steve Stone | Baltimore Orioles | 25–7 | 3.23 | 149 | [118][119] |
1979 | Mike Flanagan | Baltimore Orioles | 23–9 | 3.08 | 190 | [120][121] |
1978 | Ron Guidry* | New York Yankees | 25–3 | 1.74 | 248 | [122][123] |
1977 | Nolan Ryan | California Angels | 19–16 | 2.77 | 341 | [124][125] |
1976 | Jim Palmer (3) | Baltimore Orioles | 22–13 | 2.51 | 159 | [126][127] |
1975 | Jim Palmer (2) | Baltimore Orioles | 23–11 | 2.09 | 193 | [126][127] |
1974 | Catfish Hunter | Oakland Athletics | 25–12 | 2.49 | 143 | [128][129] |
1973 | Jim Palmer (1) | Baltimore Orioles | 22–9 | 2.40 | 158 | [126][127] |
1972 | Wilbur Wood | Chicago White Sox | 24–17 | 2.51 | 193 | [130][131] |
1971 | Vida Blue (1) | Oakland Athletics | 24–8 | 1.82 | 301 | [24][25] |
1970 | Sam McDowell | Cleveland Indians | 20–12 | 2.92 | 304 | [132][133] |
1969 | Denny McLain (2) | Detroit Tigers | 24–9 | 2.80 | 181 | [134][135] |
1968 | Denny McLain* (1) | Detroit Tigers | 31–6 | 1.96 | 280 | [134][135] |
1967 | Jim Lonborg | Boston Red Sox | 22–9 | 3.16 | 246 | [136][137] |
1966 | Jim Kaat | Minnesota Twins | 25–13 | 2.75 | 205 | [138][139] |
1965 | Mudcat Grant | Minnesota Twins | 21–7 | 3.30 | 142 | [140][141] |
1964 | Dean Chance | Los Angeles Angels | 20–9 | 1.65 | 207 | [142][143] |
1963 | Whitey Ford (3) | New York Yankees | 24–7 | 2.74 | 189 | [144][145] |
1962 | Dick Donovan | Cleveland Indians | 20–10 | 3.59 | 94 | [146][147] |
1961 | Whitey Ford (2) | New York Yankees | 25–4 | 3.21 | 209 | [144][145] |
1960 | Chuck Estrada | Baltimore Orioles | 18–11 | 3.58 | 144 | [148][149] |
1959 | Early Wynn* | Chicago White Sox | 22–10 | 3.17 | 179 | [150][151] |
1958 | Bob Turley* | New York Yankees | 21–7 | 2.97 | 168 | [152][153] |
1957 | Billy Pierce (2) | Chicago White Sox | 20–12 | 3.26 | 171 | [154][155] |
1956 | Billy Pierce (1) | Chicago White Sox | 20–9 | 3.32 | 192 | [154][155] |
1955 | Whitey Ford (1) | New York Yankees | 18–7 | 2.63 | 137 | [144][145] |
1954 | Bob Lemon (3) | Cleveland Indians | 23–7 | 2.72 | 110 | [16][17] |
1953 | Bob Porterfield | Washington Senators | 22–10 | 3.35 | 77 | [156][157] |
1952 | Bobby Shantz | Philadelphia Athletics | 24–7 | 2.48 | 152 | [158][159] |
1951 | Bob Feller | Cleveland Indians | 22–8 | 3.50 | 111 | [29][30] |
1950 | Bob Lemon (2) | Cleveland Indians | 23–11 | 3.84 | 170 | [16][17] |
1949 | Ellis Kinder | Boston Red Sox | 23–6 | 3.36 | 138 | [160][161] |
1948 | Bob Lemon (1) | Cleveland Indians | 20–14 | 2.82 | 147 | [16][17] |
1945 | Hal Newhouser* §(2) | Detroit Tigers | 25–9 | 1.81 | 212 | [10][11] |
1944 | Hal Newhouser (1) | Detroit Tigers | 29–9 | 2.22 | 187 | [10][11] |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Max Scherzer (4) | Washington Nationals/Los Angeles Dodgers | 15–4 | 2.46 | 236 | [61][62][43] |
2020 | Jacob deGrom (3) | New York Mets | 4–2 | 2.38 | 104 | [162][163][164] |
2019 | Jacob deGrom (2) | New York Mets | 11–8 | 2.43 | 255 | [162][163][165] |
2018 | Jacob deGrom (1) | New York Mets | 10–9 | 1.70 | 269 | [162][163][166] |
2017 | Max Scherzer (3) | Washington Nationals | 16–6 | 2.51 | 268 | [61][62][51] |
2016 | Max Scherzer (2) | Washington Nationals | 20–7 | 2.96 | 284 | [61][62][167] |
2015 | Zack Greinke (2) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 19–3 | 1.66 | 200 | [82][83][168] |
2014 | Clayton Kershaw* (3) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 21–3 | 1.77 | 239 | [35][36][169][170] |
2013 | Clayton Kershaw (2) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 16–9 | 1.83 | 232 | [7][35][36] |
Year | Pitchers | Team | Record | ERA | Saves | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Josh Hader (2) | Milwaukee Brewers | 4–2 | 1.23 | 34 | [171][172][43] |
2020 | Devin Williams | Milwaukee Brewers | 4–1 | 0.33 | 0 | [173][174][164] |
2019 | Kirby Yates | San Diego Padres | 0–5 | 1.19 | 41 | [175][176][165] |
2018 | Josh Hader (1) | Milwaukee Brewers | 6–1 | 2.43 | 12 | [171][172][166] |
2017 | Kenley Jansen (2) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 5–0 | 1.32 | 41 | [51][177][178] |
2016 | Kenley Jansen (1) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 3–2 | 2.20 | 47 | [179][177][178] |
2015 | Mark Melancon | Pittsburgh Pirates | 3–2 | 2.23 | 51 | [180][181][182] |
2014 | Craig Kimbrel (2) | Atlanta Braves | 0–3 | 1.61 | 47 | [169][67][68][183] |
2013 | Craig Kimbrel (1) | Atlanta Braves | 4–3 | 1.21 | 50 | [8][67][68] |
Year | National League Pitchers | Team | Record | ERA | K | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | R. A. Dickey | New York Mets | 20–6 | 2.73 | 230 | [184][185] |
2011 | Clayton Kershaw (1) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 21–5 | 2.28 | 248 | [35][36] |
2010 | Roy Halladay (2) | Philadelphia Phillies | 21–10 | 2.44 | 219 | [88][89] |
2009 | Tim Lincecum (2) | San Francisco Giants | 15–7 | 2.48 | 261 | [186][187] |
2008 | Tim Lincecum (1) | San Francisco Giants | 18–5 | 2.62 | 265 | [186][187] |
2007 | Jake Peavy | San Diego Padres | 19–6 | 2.54 | 240 | [188][189] |
2006 | Chris Carpenter (2) | St. Louis Cardinals | 15–8 | 3.09 | 184 | [190][191] |
2005 | Chris Carpenter (1) | St. Louis Cardinals | 21–5 | 2.83 | 213 | [190][191] |
2004 | Jason Schmidt | San Francisco Giants | 18–7 | 3.49 | 206 | [192][193] |
2003 | Éric Gagné | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2–3 | 1.20 | 137 | [194][195] |
2002 | Curt Schilling (2) | Arizona Diamondbacks | 23–7 | 3.23 | 316 | [196][197] |
2001 | Curt Schilling (1) | Arizona Diamondbacks | 22–6 | 2.98 | 293 | [196][197] |
2000 | Tom Glavine (2) | Atlanta Braves | 21–9 | 3.40 | 152 | [198][199] |
1999 | Mike Hampton | Houston Astros | 22–4 | 2.90 | 177 | [200][201] |
1998 | Kevin Brown | San Diego Padres | 18–7 | 2.38 | 257 | [202][203] |
1997 | Pedro Martínez (1) | Montreal Expos | 17–8 | 1.90 | 305 | [92][93] |
1996 | John Smoltz | Atlanta Braves | 24–8 | 2.94 | 276 | [204][205] |
1995 | Greg Maddux (4) | Atlanta Braves | 19–2 | 1.63 | 181 | [206][207] |
1994 | Greg Maddux (3) | Atlanta Braves | 16–6 | 1.56 | 156 | [206][207] |
1993 | Greg Maddux (2) | Atlanta Braves | 20–10 | 2.36 | 197 | [206][207] |
1992 | Greg Maddux (1) | Chicago Cubs | 20–11 | 2.18 | 199 | [206][207] |
1991 | Tom Glavine (1) | Atlanta Braves | 20–11 | 2.55 | 192 | [198][199] |
1990 | Doug Drabek | Pittsburgh Pirates | 22–6 | 2.76 | 131 | [208][209] |
1989 | Mark Davis | San Diego Padres | 4–3 | 1.85 | 92 | [210][211] |
1988 | Orel Hershiser* | Los Angeles Dodgers | 23–8 | 2.26 | 213 | [212][213] |
1987 | Rick Sutcliffe (2) | Chicago Cubs | 18–10 | 3.68 | 174 | [214][215] |
1986 | Mike Scott | Houston Astros | 18–10 | 2.22 | 306 | [216][217] |
1985 | Dwight Gooden § | New York Mets | 24–4 | 1.53 | 268 | [26][27] |
1984 | Rick Sutcliffe a (1) | Chicago Cubs | 16–1 | 2.69 | 155 | [214][215] |
1983 | John Denny | Philadelphia Phillies | 19–6 | 2.37 | 139 | [218][219] |
1982 | Steve Carlton (4) | Philadelphia Phillies | 23–11 | 3.10 | 286 | [220][221] |
1981 | Fernando Valenzuela* ** | Los Angeles Dodgers | 13–7 | 2.48 | 180 | [32][33] |
1980 | Steve Carlton (3) | Philadelphia Phillies | 24–9 | 2.34 | 286 | [220][221] |
1979 | Joe Niekro | Houston Astros | 21–11 | 3.00 | 119 | [222][223] |
1978 | Vida Blue (2) | San Francisco Giants | 18–10 | 2.79 | 171 | [24][25] |
1977 | Steve Carlton (2) | Philadelphia Phillies | 23–10 | 2.64 | 198 | [220][221] |
1976 | Randy Jones | San Diego Padres | 22–14 | 2.74 | 93 | [224][225] |
1975 | Tom Seaver (2) | New York Mets | 22–9 | 2.38 | 243 | [226][227] |
1974 | Mike Marshall | Los Angeles Dodgers | 15–12 | 2.42 | 143 | [228][229] |
1973 | Ron Bryant | San Francisco Giants | 24–12 | 3.53 | 143 | [230][231] |
1972 | Steve Carlton (1) | Philadelphia Phillies | 27–10 | 1.97 | 310 | [220][221] |
1971 | Ferguson Jenkins | Chicago Cubs | 24–13 | 2.77 | 263 | [232][233] |
1970 | Bob Gibson (2) | St. Louis Cardinals | 23–7 | 3.12 | 274 | [234][235] |
1969 | Tom Seaver (1) | New York Mets | 25–7 | 2.21 | 208 | [226][227] |
1968 | Bob Gibson (1) | St. Louis Cardinals | 22–9 | 1.12 | 268 | [234][235] |
1967 | Mike McCormick | San Francisco Giants | 22–10 | 2.85 | 150 | [236][237] |
1966 | Sandy Koufax §(4) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 27–9 | 1.73 | 317 | [22][23] |
1965 | Sandy Koufax* § (3) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 26–8 | 2.04 | 382 | [22][23] |
1964 | Sandy Koufax (2) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 19–5 | 1.74 | 223 | [22][23] |
1963 | Sandy Koufax* §(1) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 25–5 | 1.88 | 306 | [22][23] |
1962 | Don Drysdale* | Los Angeles Dodgers | 25–9 | 2.83 | 232 | [238][239] |
1961 | Warren Spahn (4) | Milwaukee Braves | 21–13 | 3.02 | 115 | [18][19] |
1960 | Vern Law | Pittsburgh Pirates | 20–9 | 3.08 | 120 | [240][241] |
1959 | Sam Jones | San Francisco Giants | 21–15 | 2.83 | 209 | [242][243] |
1958 | Warren Spahn (3) | Milwaukee Braves | 22–11 | 3.07 | 150 | [18][19] |
1957 | Warren Spahn (2) | Milwaukee Braves | 21–11 | 2.69 | 111 | [18][19] |
1956 | Don Newcombe | Brooklyn Dodgers | 27–7 | 3.06 | 139 | [244][245] |
1955 | Robin Roberts (2) | Philadelphia Phillies | 23–14 | 3.28 | 160 | [14][15] |
1954 | Johnny Antonelli | New York Giants | 21–7 | 2.30 | 152 | [246][247] |
1953 | Warren Spahn (1) | Milwaukee Braves | 23–7 | 2.10 | 148 | [18][19] |
1952 | Robin Roberts* (1) | Philadelphia Phillies | 28–7 | 2.59 | 148 | [14][15] |
1951 | Preacher Roe | Brooklyn Dodgers | 22–3 | 2.93 | 146 | [248][249] |
1950 | Jim Konstanty | Philadelphia Phillies | 16–7 | 2.66 | 56 | [250][251] |
1949 | Howie Pollet | St. Louis Cardinals | 20–9 | 2.77 | 108 | [252][253] |
1948 | Johnny Sain | Boston Braves | 24–15 | 2.60 | 137 | [254][255] |
1945 | Hank Borowy | Chicago Cubs | 11–2 | 2.12 | 47 | [256][257] |
1944 | Bill Voiselle | New York Giants | 21–6 | 3.02 | 161 | [12][13] |
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 | ||
Jacob deGrom | 2018, 2019, 2020 | ||
Liam Hendriks | 2019, 2020, 2021 | ||
Clayton Kershaw | 2011, 2013, 2014 | ||
Craig Kimbrel | 2013, 2014, 2017 | ||
15 | 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 | ||
Gerrit Cole | 2019, 2021 | ||
Zack Greinke | 2009, 2015 | ||
Josh Hader | 2018, 2021 | ||
Félix Hernández | 2010, 2014 | ||
Kenley Jansen | 2016, 2017 | ||
Justin Verlander | 2011, 2012 |
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 | [258] |
1915 | Grover Cleveland Alexander | Philadelphia Phillies | NL | 1.22* | 31* | 241* | 12.62 | [259] |
1918 | Walter Johnson (2) | Washington Senators | AL | 1.27* | 23* | 162* | 10.00 | [260] |
1924 | Dazzy Vance | Brooklyn Robins | NL | 2.16* | 28* | 262* | 9.80 | [261][262] |
1930 | Lefty Grove (1) | Philadelphia Athletics | AL | 2.54* | 28* | 209* | 8.47 | [263][264] |
1931 | Lefty Grove (2) | Philadelphia Athletics | AL | 2.06* | 31* | 175* | 9.09 | [265][266] |
1945 | Hal Newhouser | Detroit Tigers | AL | 1.81* | 25* | 212* | 9.62 | [267][268] |
1963 | Sandy Koufax (1) | Los Angeles Dodgers | NL | 1.88* | 25* | 306* | 10.41 | [269] |
1965 | Sandy Koufax (2) | Los Angeles Dodgers | NL | 2.04* | 26* | 382* | 11.39 | [270] |
1966 | Sandy Koufax (3) | Los Angeles Dodgers | NL | 1.73* | 27* | 317* | 11.15 | [271] |
1985 | Dwight Gooden | New York Mets | NL | 1.53* | 24* | 268* | 9.88 | [272][273] |
2006 | Johan Santana | Minnesota Twins | AL | 2.77* | 19* | 245* | 6.96 | [274][275] |
2020 | Shane Bieber | Cleveland Indians | AL | 1.63* | 8* | 122* | 3.32 | [276][277] |
Winning three or more 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:[278] 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.[279] Clemens' alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs is the major stumbling block to be elected to the Hall of Fame.[280]
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.[281] Active player statistics are through the 2021 season.
Pitcher | # of Awards | Years | HOF Year | Wins | ERA | Ks | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steve Carlton | 4 | 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982 | 1994 | 329 | 3.22 | 4,136 | [220][221] |
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 | [206][207] | |
Warren Spahn | 1953, 1957, 1958, 1961 | 1973 | 363 | 3.09 | 2,583 | [18][19] | |
Max Scherzer | 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021 | Active-Not Eligible | 190 | 3.16 | 3,020 | [61][62] | |
Whitey Ford | 3 | 1955, 1961, 1963 | 1974 | 236 | 2.75 | 1,956 | [144][145] |
Bob Lemon | 1948, 1950, 1954 | 1976 | 207 | 3.23 | 1,277 | [16][17] | |
Pedro Martínez | 1997, 1999, 2000 | 2015 | 219 | 2.93 | 3,154 | [92][93] | |
Jim Palmer | 1973, 1975, 1976 | 1990 | 268 | 2.86 | 2,212 | [126][127] | |
Jacob deGrom | 2018, 2019, 2020 | Active-Not Eligible | 77 | 2.50 | 1,505 | [162][163] | |
Clayton Kershaw | 2011, 2013, 2014 | Active-Not Eligible | 185 | 2.49 | 2,670 | [35][36] | |
Roger Clemens | 5 | 1986, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001 | – | 354 | 3.12 | 4,672 | [20][21] |
Ten pitchers have recorded 300 wins and 3000 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 has the most wins and lowest ERA. Nolan Ryan has the most strikeouts.
Pitcher | SN Pitcher of the Years | Wins | ERA | Ks | WHIP | Career Rating | T | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steve Carlton | 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982 | 329 | 3.22 | 4,136 | 1.247 | 120.70 | L | [220] |
Roger Clemens | 1986, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001 | 354 | 3.12 | 4,672 | 1.173 | 128.34 | R | [20] |
Randy Johnson | 1995 | 303 | 3.29 | 4,875 | 1.171 | 114.41 | L | [96] |
Walter Johnson | - | 417 | 2.17 | 3,508 | 1.061 | 160.48 | R | [282] |
Greg Maddux | 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 | 355 | 3.16 | 3,371 | 1.143 | 115.29 | R | [206] |
Phil Niekro | - | 318 | 3.35 | 3,342 | 1.268 | 109.81 | R | [283] |
Gaylord Perry | - | 314 | 3.11 | 3,534 | 1.181 | 117.30 | R | [284] |
Nolan Ryan | 1977 | 324 | 3.19 | 5,714 | 1.247 | 138.29 | R | [124] |
Tom Seaver | 1969, 1975 | 311 | 2.86 | 3,640 | 1.121 | 118.68 | R | [226] |
Don Sutton | - | 324 | 3.26 | 3,574 | 1.142 | 114.10 | R | [285] |
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 | [289][290] |
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 | [291][292] |
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 | [252][253] |
1946 | NL | Johnny Sain | Milwaukee Braves | 20–14 | 2.21 | 129 | 1.177 | 6.99 | [254][255] |
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 organizations have never had a pitcher win the award: Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Florida Marlins 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 | 10 | 1948, 1950–1951, 1954, 1962, 1970, 2007–2008, 2016, 2020 |
New York Yankees | 1955, 1958, 1961, 1963, 1978, 1994, 2001, 2014–2015, 2021 | ||
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 | Oakland/Philadelphia Athletics | 8 | 1952, 1971, 1974, 1990, 1992, 2002, 2019-2020 |
10 | Baltimore Orioles | 7 | 1960, 1973, 1975–1976, 1979–1980, 2016 |
Chicago White Sox | 1956–1957, 1959, 1972, 1983, 1993, 2021 | ||
New York Mets | 1969, 1975, 1985, 2012, 2018-2020 | ||
13 | Minnesota Twins/Washington Senators | 6 | 1953, 1965–1966, 1988, 2004, 2006 |
Toronto Blue Jays | 1982, 1987, 1996–1998, 2003 | ||
15 | Chicago Cubs | 5 | 1945, 1971, 1984, 1987, 1992 |
Houston Astros | 1979, 1986, 1999, 2015, 2019 | ||
San Diego Padres | 1976, 1989, 1998, 2007, 2019 | ||
St. Louis Cardinals | 1949, 1968, 1970, 2005–2006 | ||
19 | Kansas City Royals | 4 | 1985, 1989, 2009, 2013 |
Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos | 1997, 2016, 2017, 2021 | ||
Seattle Mariners | 1995, 2010, 2014, 2018 | ||
22 | Los Angeles (California) Angels of Anaheim | 3 | 1964, 1977, 2005 |
Milwaukee Brewers | 2018, 2020, 2021 | ||
Pittsburgh Pirates | 1960, 1990, 2015 | ||
25 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 2 | 2001–2002 |
26 | Tampa Bay Rays | 1 | 2012 |
27 | Cincinnati Reds | 0 | none |
Colorado Rockies | none | ||
Miami/Florida Marlins | 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.
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.
Sporting News AL Pitcher of the Year Award | |
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Sporting News AL Relief Pitcher of the Year Award | |
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Sporting News AL Starting Pitcher of the Year Award | |
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Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year Award | |
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Sporting News NL Relief Pitcher of the Year Award | |
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Sporting News NL Starting Pitcher of the Year Award | |
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