In 1956, a year following the passing of the legendary pitcher Cy Young, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) established an annual award in his honor.
Initially presented as a single trophy for all of Major League Baseball over the first 11 seasons, the Cy Young Award expanded in 1967 to encompass distinct honors for the American League and National League. To date, 126 awards have been granted, including two to AL recipients due to a tie in ’69, and 22 pitchers have secured multiple victories.
Determining the finest among these remarkable seasons is no small task. MLB.com tackled this challenge by assessing each winner, using a combination of three primary types of Wins Above Replacement (WAR) from Baseball-Reference, FanGraphs, and Baseball Prospectus. This approach, along with consideration of additional metrics, notable accomplishments, and subjective elements, led to the ranking of Cy Young Award winners from No. 1 to No. 126. Notably, the effects of the 2020 pandemic-altered 60-game schedule were factored into those winners’ rankings.
It’s essential to note that while several relievers have earned recognition (denoted with asterisks), their comparison in value naturally faces challenges against Cy Young Award-winning starters with significantly higher workloads.
Each winner is accompanied by a runner-up, excluding some early seasons with unanimous votes.
Without further delay, let’s explore the greatest Cy Young Award seasons of all time:
1. Pedro Martinez, 1999, AL (Red Sox)
Key stats: 2.07 ERA (243 ERA+), 313 K’s
In an era of heightened offense, Pedro exhibited sheer dominance. His record-breaking strikeout rate (37.5 percent) and remarkably low FIP (1.39) set him apart.
Runner-up: Mike Mussina, BAL (133 ERA+)
2. Pedro Martinez, 2000, AL (Red Sox)
Key stats: 1.74 ERA (291 ERA+), 284 K’s
Choosing between Pedro’s two pinnacle seasons is akin to selecting a favorite child. In 2000, he established a single-season ERA+ record, standing out in a high-octane year.
Runner-up: Tim Hudson, OAK (20-6)
3. Bob Gibson, 1968 NL (Cardinals)
Key stats: 1.12 ERA (258 ERA+), 13 shutouts
Dubbed the “Year of the Pitcher,” Gibson’s overwhelming performance remains unmatched.
4. Dwight Gooden, 1985 NL (Mets)
Key stats: 1.53 ERA (229 ERA+), 16 CG
Gooden’s sensational achievements at the age of 20, including six shutouts with double-digit strikeouts, were historic.
Runner-up: John Tudor, STL (185 ERA+)
5. Randy Johnson, 2001 NL (D-backs)
Key stats: 2.49 ERA (188 ERA+), 372 K’s
The Big Unit secured his third consecutive Cy Young Award at age 37, boasting an impressive strikeout rate (37.4).
Runner-up: Curt Schilling, ARI (293 K’s)
6. Roger Clemens, 1997 AL (Blue Jays)
Key stats: 2.05 ERA (222 ERA+), 292 K’s
Clemens’ inaugural season with the Blue Jays marked a pinnacle in his career, earning him a seventh Cy Young Award.
Runner-up: Randy Johnson, SEA (197 ERA+)
7. Steve Carlton, 1972 NL (Phillies)
Key stats: 1.97 ERA (182 ERA+), 2.01 FIP, 30 CG
Carlton’s 27-10 record for a struggling Phillies team exemplified his dominance.
Runner-up: Steve Blass, PIT (19-8)
8. Sandy Koufax, 1965 MLB (Dodgers)
Key stats: 2.04 ERA (160 ERA+), 382 K’s
Koufax’s penultimate season featured the second-highest strikeout total in the modern era and memorable performances in the World Series.
9. Randy Johnson, 2002 NL (D-backs)
Key stats: 2.32 ERA (195 ERA+), 334 K’s
In a historic season, Johnson recorded three starts with 16-plus strikeouts and no earned runs at the age of 38.
Runner-up: Curt Schilling, ARI (316 K’s)
10. Greg Maddux, 1995 NL (Braves)
Key stats: 1.63 ERA (260 ERA+), 7.9 K/BB
Maddux’s late start due to the strike didn’t hinder him from securing a fourth consecutive Cy Young Award.
Runner-up: Pete Schourek, CIN (18-7)