Mike Marshall’s 1974 season remains one of the most remarkable in Major League Baseball history. Marshall won the National League Cy Young Award that year by working an astounding 200 innings in relief, setting a precedent for relievers in a category historically dominated by starters. His feat demonstrated that relievers could contribute significantly and even dominate in the Cy Young voting.
Following Marshall’s groundbreaking achievement, several relievers have carved out their place in baseball history by winning the coveted Cy Young Award. Sparky Lyle captured the 1977 American League Cy Young Award, and Bruce Sutter won the 1979 NL Cy Young, establishing himself as one of the most formidable closers of his era.
Trailblazing Relievers
Rollie Fingers was another standout reliever who secured both the AL MVP and Cy Young Award in 1981 after pitching 78 innings. Similarly, Willie Hernandez also won both awards in 1984, with an impressive 1.92 ERA and 140 1/3 innings pitched, reinforcing the vital role of relievers in the sport.
The late 1980s saw Steve Bedrosian clinch the NL Cy Young Award in 1987, with 40 saves in 48 chances and 89 innings pitched. Mark Davis followed suit in 1989, winning the NL Cy Young after converting 44 saves in 48 opportunities and pitching 92 2/3 innings.
Dennis Eckersley’s 1992 performance earned him both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards, thanks to his 80 innings of relief work. This era highlighted the significant impact effective relievers could have on their teams, challenging the traditional view that starting pitchers were the only viable candidates for such honors.
The Modern Era of Relievers
Since Eckersley, only one reliever has managed to secure the Cy Young Award. Eric Gagne’s remarkable 2003 season saw him clinch the NL Cy Young, making him the last reliever to earn this honor post-Eckersley. Gagne's dominant performance remains a benchmark for modern-day closers.
In recent years, pitchers like Craig Kimbrel have been stalwarts in the bullpen ever since being drafted as a reliever. Remarkably, Kimbrel did not start a single game in the minors until a rehabilitation stint in 2016. Another noted name, Aroldis Chapman, made his transition to the bullpen in 2010, further indicating the evolution and specialization of bullpen roles in Major League Baseball.
New Generation of Closers
Emmanuel Clase recently saved 38 games in 41 chances, posting a 0.59 ERA and 0.67 WHIP. Over his 61 1/3 innings, Clase recorded 53 strikeouts and only seven unintentional walks, showcasing his dominance on the mound.
Interestingly, despite Clase's impressive statistics, pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans rank higher in AL pitcher WAR. Fedde has transitioned to the National League, while Skubal is expected to take a cautious approach through September. Anderson, pitching with a 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP, continues to contribute effectively, and Ragans is expected to maintain his strong performances despite recent injury concerns.
This evolving landscape of MLB pitching underscores the vital role relievers continue to play. From Marshall's precedent-setting performance to the incredible achievements of modern-day closers like Clase, relievers have proven indispensable, providing their teams with critical innings and securing key victories. The future of bullpen dominance looks bright, bolstered by a new generation of relievers ready to etch their names into baseball history.