Mike Marshall’s 1974 season remains one of the most remarkable in Major League Baseball history. Marshall won the National League Cy Young Award by working an astounding 200 innings in relief, an achievement that set a precedent for future relievers. His monumental workload and dominance during that season showcased how relievers could contribute significantly and even dominate in a mostly starter-centric award category. Following his incredible feat, other relievers have left their indelible marks in the annals of MLB history.
Sparky Lyle and Early Trailblazers
Just three years after Marshall’s unprecedented season, Sparky Lyle captured the 1977 American League Cy Young Award. This victory was another testament to the pivotal role relievers could play in clinching high-profile awards traditionally awarded to starting pitchers.
Bruce Sutter followed in Lyle’s footsteps, winning the 1979 NL Cy Young and establishing himself as one of the most formidable closers of his era. These achievements underscored the invaluable contributions of relievers and hinted at the evolving dynamics within Major League Baseball.
Double Honors: MVP and Cy Young
The early 1980s saw relievers not only capturing the Cy Young but also clinching MVP titles. Rollie Fingers secured both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards in 1981 with a commendable 78 innings pitched. His dual achievement showcased the profound impact a reliever could have on a team’s success, further cementing their importance in the sport.
Willie Hernandez also achieved the rare double honor in 1984, winning both the AL MVP and Cy Young with a stellar 1.92 ERA and 140 1/3 innings pitched. Such performances highlighted the shifting perception and increasing value of relievers in the game.
Exceptional Performances in Relief
Steve Bedrosian’s 1987 season saw him clinching the NL Cy Young Award with 40 saves in 48 chances and 89 innings pitched. His remarkable performance demonstrated the critical role of a reliable closer in achieving team success.
Mark Davis continued the trend in 1989, winning the NL Cy Young Award after converting 44 saves in 48 opportunities and pitching 92 2/3 innings. Davis's season reaffirmed the exemplary standards set by relievers in the late 1980s.
Dennis Eckersley’s exceptional 1992 season earned him both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards with 80 innings of relief work. Eckersley’s dominance in the bullpen was a testament to the critical role relievers played in the era.
The Modern Reliever: Gagne to Clase
Eric Gagne’s 2003 season was particularly notable as he won the NL Cy Young Award, marking the last time a reliever would achieve this feat post-Eckersley. Gagne’s performance remains a high watermark for modern relievers.
In more recent years, Craig Kimbrel has been a stalwart in the bullpen. Having been drafted as a reliever, Kimbrel did not start a single game in the minors until a rehabilitation stint in 2016. His consistency and excellence further highlighted the indispensable nature of premier relief pitchers in modern baseball.
Aroldis Chapman’s transition to the bullpen in 2010 signified another key moment for relievers. Known for his blistering fastball, Chapman’s move was a strategic shift that underscored the evolving strategies surrounding bullpen usage.
Emmanuel Clase’s recent performance with 38 saves in 41 chances, a 0.59 ERA, and 0.67 WHIP, recording 53 strikeouts and only seven unintentional walks over 61 1/3 innings, reflects the ongoing excellence of contemporary relievers. However, it’s worth noting that pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans still rank higher in AL pitcher WAR, pointing to the depth and quality of pitching talent across the board.
Fedde has transitioned to the National League, Skubal is expected to take a cautious approach through September, Anderson is performing with a 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP, and Ragans is expected to continue his strong performances despite recent injury. This array of talent highlights the competitive environment faced by relievers in contending for top honors.
The journey of these pitchers exemplifies the evolution and recognition of relievers in Major League Baseball. From the historic achievements of Mike Marshall to the stellar performances of contemporary stars like Emmanuel Clase, relievers have proven time and again that they are indispensable components of their teams, capable of altering the course of a season and etching their names into baseball history.