A Legacy in the Bullpen: The Cy Young Relievers Who Redefined Their Role
Mike Marshall’s 1974 season remains one of the most remarkable in Major League Baseball history. The right-handed reliever not only clinched the National League Cy Young Award but also set a standard that few have matched since. Logging an astounding 200 innings in relief, Marshall's performance shattered the conventional belief that the Cy Young Award was solely a starter’s accolade. His groundbreaking achievement paved the way for future relievers to receive recognition in a category traditionally dominated by starters.
A few years later, in 1977, Sparky Lyle captured the American League Cy Young Award, further emphasizing the importance of relievers. Bruce Sutter solidified his place among the greats by winning the 1979 NL Cy Young, establishing himself as one of the most formidable closers of his era. The evolution continued with Rollie Fingers, who secured both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards in 1981 by pitching 78 innings. Fingers’ dual accolades underscored the invaluable role a reliever can play in a team’s success.
In 1984, Willie Hernandez similarly won both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards, boasting a stellar 1.92 ERA over 140 1/3 innings pitched. Hernandez's season demonstrated the impact a dominant reliever could have, amidst a setting where starters usually stole the limelight. As the decades turned, the trend of recognizing top-tier relief pitching continued. Steve Bedrosian clinched the NL Cy Young Award in 1987 thanks to 40 saves in 48 chances and 89 innings pitched, while Mark Davis followed in 1989 with 44 saves and 92 2/3 innings pitched.
Dennis Eckersley further etched his name into the annals of baseball history by claiming both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards in 1992, with 80 innings of relief work that epitomized effectiveness and efficiency. Since Eckersley’s dominance, only Eric Gagne has managed to capture a Cy Young Award as a reliever, winning the NL honor in 2003. Gagne's remarkable season remains the last time a reliever has been bestowed this prestigious individual accolade.
In recent years, the bullpen has continued to serve as a fortress for many teams, with standout performances from pitchers like Craig Kimbrel and Aroldis Chapman. Kimbrel has been a stalwart in the bullpen ever since being drafted, never starting a single game in the minors save for a rehabilitation stint in 2016. Chapman's transition to the bullpen in 2010 further highlighted his explosive capability as a closer.
Among today's top relievers, Emmanuel Clase has distinguished himself with 38 saves in 41 chances. Clase's 0.59 ERA and 0.67 WHIP, complemented by 53 strikeouts and only seven unintentional walks over 61 1/3 innings, underscore his dominance on the mound. Despite these impressive statistics, some metrics like AL pitcher WAR rank starters such as Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans higher than Clase. This serves as a reminder of the ongoing debate regarding the comparative value of starters and relievers. Interestingly, Fedde has since transitioned to the National League, while Skubal is expected to adopt a cautious approach through September.
Tyler Anderson, boasting a 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP, continues to make his case alongside the recovering Ragans, who is anticipated to maintain his strong performances despite recent injury setbacks. The comparative analysis of these pitchers shines a light on how the dynamics of pitcher value and role specialization continue to evolve.
Reflecting on the achievements of Marshall and his successors underscores the progress made by relievers in the quest for recognition and excellence. These pitchers have redefined what it means to be invaluable assets to their teams, proving time and again that the bullpen is a critical component of a successful baseball strategy.
As the MLB landscape progresses, the contributions of relievers like Clase, Kimbrel, and Chapman embody the future of a position that, thanks to trailblazers like Mike Marshall, has come to be seen as indispensable and deserving of the highest accolades.