In the lengthy annals of Major League Baseball, few seasons stand out quite like Mike Marshall’s 1974 campaign. Marshall, etching his name in the history books, completed an awe-inspiring 200 innings in relief pitching and secured the National League Cy Young Award. His remarkable feat was not just a personal triumph but a transformative moment in the league, demonstrating the vital addition relief pitchers could offer to a sport that had traditionally revered starters for individual accolades.
Marshall’s landmark season paved the way for a handful of elite relievers to triumph in a category long dominated by starters. Sparky Lyle clinched the 1977 American League Cy Young Award, continuing the growing trend of relief pitchers gaining recognition. Following him was Bruce Sutter, who earned the 1979 NL Cy Young and solidified his standing as one of the game’s most fearsome closers.
Dual MVP and Cy Young Winners
The early 1980s witnessed a series of unprecedented achievements by relievers who not only won the Cy Young Award but also secured the Most Valuable Player title. Rollie Fingers, with just 78 innings of work in 1981, captured both the AL MVP and Cy Young. Willie Hernandez followed suit in 1984, boasting a 1.92 ERA while pitching 140 1/3 innings. Such accomplishments underscored the increasingly substantial role of bullpen aces in team success.
The trend of dominant relievers securing the Cy Young continued with Steve Bedrosian in 1987. Bedrosian’s 40 saves in 48 opportunities and 89 innings pitched highlighted his excellence. Mark Davis followed in 1989, converting 44 saves out of 48 chances and pitching 92 2/3 innings. Dennis Eckersley, another dual award winner, grabbed both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards in 1992 with 80 innings of impeccable relief work.
The Last to Shine
After Eckersley, it took over a decade before another reliever would be honored with a Cy Young Award. Eric Gagne ended the drought in 2003. Gagne’s dominance that season remains one of modern baseball's defining relief pitching performances. To this day, Gagne stands as the only reliever to secure a Cy Young Award in the post-Eckersley era.
Contemporary relief aces like Craig Kimbrel and Aroldis Chapman further illustrate the evolution and specialization of bullpen roles. Both pitchers transitioned seamlessly into professional baseball as relievers. Kimbrel has been a steadfast bullpen presence since his draft, only briefly stepping into starting roles during a rehabilitative stint in 2016. Chapman has left an indelible mark since transitioning to the bullpen in 2010.
Emerging Stars
Recent seasons have unveiled new bullpen stars, such as Emmanuel Clase. With 38 saves in 41 opportunities, a minuscule 0.59 ERA, and a stellar 0.67 WHIP, Clase is quickly building a reputation among the elite. His impressive 53 strikeouts and only seven unintentional walks over 61 1/3 innings showcase his command and dominance.
However, despite Clase’s remarkable performance, other pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans rank higher in AL pitcher WAR. Fedde has since transitioned to the National League, while Skubal is expected to exercise caution through September. Anderson, maintaining a 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP, and Ragans, who is bouncing back from injury, continue to impress and contribute to their teams’ viability.
In the evolving landscape of Major League Baseball, the importance and impact of elite relievers cannot be overstated. They have transformed games, seasons, and careers, standing as pivotal figures in their respective franchises’ successes. From Marshall’s groundbreaking 1974 season to the latest stars, the narrative of relievers thriving in a historically starter-centric sport is one of baseball’s most compelling and ongoing stories.