The Cy Young Award is baseball’s most prestigious honor for pitchers, given annually since 1956 to the best pitcher in each league (AL and NL). It’s named after Denton True «Cy» Young, who accumulated 511 career wins (1890–1911)—a record that still stands today.
Who Was Cy Young?
Cy Young was the winningest pitcher in baseball history. He played during the era of workhorse pitchers, when it was common for a starter to throw 40 or more games per season. His nickname «Cy» came from «Cyclone,» reflecting the speed of his fastball. Young won his first game in 1890 and retired in 1911 with an almost untouchable legacy: beyond his 511 wins, he pitched 7,356 innings and recorded 76 shutouts.
Birth of the Award (1956)
After Cy Young’s death in 1955, the American League created an award in his honor. The first winner was Don Newcombe in 1956, pitching for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Newcombe also became the first African American to win a major baseball award. The National League joined in 1957, when Warren Spahn received the inaugural NL Cy Young.
Criteria and Voting
The award is determined by a vote of baseball writers and broadcasters. Voters consider statistics like ERA (earned run average), wins, innings pitched, strikeouts, and overall performance. A pitcher must have thrown at least 50 innings in the season to be eligible. Voting takes place in late October, shortly after the regular season ends.
Notable Historical Winners
| Pitcher | Year(s) | League | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Koufax | 1963, 1965, 1966 | NL | 3 awards in 4 years; 1.73 ERA in 1966 |
| Roger Clemens | 1986, 1987, 1991, 1997, 1998 | AL/NL | 7 total Cy Young Awards (all-time record) |
| Randy Johnson | 1995, 1999, 2000, 2002 | NL | 4 awards; nicknamed «The Big Unit» |
| Pedro Martinez | 1997, 1999, 2000 | AL/NL | 1.74 ERA in 2000; 3 consecutive awards |
| Justin Verlander | 2011, 2019, 2022 | AL | Most recent winner (2022); 3 awards |
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The Cy Young Award is synonymous with pitching excellence. Winning it means joining the pantheon of modern baseball’s greatest arms. Many winners have been inducted into the Hall of Fame or are on track to be. The award itself has evolved over time: in its early decades, win totals were heavily weighted, but today more sophisticated metrics like FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) and WAR (Wins Above Replacement) are considered.
FAQ
How many Cy Young Awards has Roger Clemens won?
Roger Clemens won 7 Cy Young Awards (1986, 1987, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2004), the all-time record. He won 4 with the Red Sox and 3 with the Yankees.
Can a relief pitcher win the Cy Young Award?
Technically yes—any pitcher with 50 innings is eligible—but in practice the award has been almost exclusively for starting pitchers. Relief pitchers have their own award: the Rolaids Relief Man Award.
When is the winner announced?
Voting occurs in October after the regular season. Winners are typically announced in the first week of November, before the World Series.
