Mike Marshall’s 1974 season remains one of the most remarkable in Major League Baseball history. As the only pitcher to win the National League Cy Young Award primarily through relief work, Marshall clocked an astounding 200 innings, a feat that still resonates today. What made Marshall’s accomplishment so groundbreaking was the demonstration that relievers could contribute significantly and even dominate in an award category usually dominated by starters.
In the years that followed, a select few relievers have managed to etch their names into Cy Young and MVP annals. Sparky Lyle captured the 1977 American League Cy Young Award, laying further evidence that relief pitchers deserved recognition. Bruce Sutter, with his 1979 NL Cy Young, established himself as one of the most formidable closers in baseball history. This trend continued into the 1980s with Rollie Fingers, who secured both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards in 1981 after pitching 78 high-leverage innings. Willie Hernandez achieved a similar dual-accolade feat in 1984, with a masterful 1.92 ERA over 140 1/3 innings.
The late '80s and early '90s saw more notable relief performances. Steve Bedrosian clinched the NL Cy Young in 1987 with 40 saves in 48 chances and 89 innings pitched, showing that a closer’s effectiveness could be quantified in metrics beyond just saves. Mark Davis continued this tradition in 1989, converting 44 saves and pitching 92 2/3 innings to lock up the same award. Dennis Eckersley followed suit in 1992, winning both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards with 80 innings of his signature relief work.
Eric Gagne’s 2003 season stands out as he remains the only reliever to secure a Cy Young Award post-Eckersley. This distinction underscores the increasingly specialized nature of modern bullpens, where seamless transitions to the setup and closing roles are critical but less heroically recognized. Gagne’s dominance in the early 2000s spotlighted the critical role a shutdown closer could play in a team’s success.
Modern Bullpen Aces
In contemporary baseball, the legacies of these past Cy Young-winning relievers pave the way for current bullpen stalwarts. Craig Kimbrel has been a rock in the bullpen ever since being drafted. What sets Kimbrel apart is his immediate transition to relief pitching, not having started a single game in the minors until a rehabilitation stint in 2016. Similarly, Aroldis Chapman made his transition to the bullpen in 2010, and his blistering fastball has made him one of the most feared closers in the game.
Recently, Emmanuel Clase has emerged as one of the most reliable closers in the league. Clase’s 2021 season has been nothing short of remarkable, saving 38 games in 41 chances while maintaining a microscopic 0.59 ERA and 0.67 WHIP. Over 61 1/3 innings, he registered 53 strikeouts against only seven unintentional walks, underscoring his dominance. Nevertheless, despite such numbers, it's a challenge for relievers like Clase to amass the Wins Above Replacement (WAR) metrics that starters achieve. Pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans rank higher than Clase in AL pitcher WAR, showcasing the inherent difficulty for modern relievers in garnering end-of-season accolades.
The Future of Relief Pitching
Fedde, who has transitioned to the National League, exemplifies the growing trend of adaptability among pitchers. Meanwhile, Skubal is expected to take a cautious approach through September due to his usage load. Tyler Anderson has posted a 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP – respectable numbers that illustrate the ongoing evolution of pitching metrics. Cole Ragans, despite recent injuries, is projected to continue his strong performances, signaling a balancing act for managers between preserving arm health and extracting maximal performance.
Reflecting on the historical context and recent trends, it's clear that relief pitchers continue to play an invaluable role in MLB. The game has evolved, but the mark made by exceptional relievers—past and present—remains indelible. From Marshall’s 1974 milestone to the modern dominance of pitchers like Clase, the bullpen has proven itself to be a crucible of talent, temperament, and tactical warfare. As we look ahead, the contributions of these relief pitchers will undoubtedly continue to shape the narrative of baseball greatness.