Mike Marshall's Milestone Season
Mike Marshall's 1974 season remains one of the most remarkable in Major League Baseball history. That year, he etched his name into the annals of baseball by logging an astounding 200 innings in relief, a feat that earned him the prestigious National League Cy Young Award. Marshall's performance not only set a precedent for relievers but also demonstrated that they could dominate and significantly contribute in an award category usually reserved for starters.
Notable Cy Young Relievers
The torch of greatness was passed on to other legendary relievers throughout the years. In 1977, Sparky Lyle captured the American League Cy Young Award, marking another milestone for relievers in an era dominated by starting pitchers. Two years later, Bruce Sutter, one of the most formidable closers of his era, won the 1979 NL Cy Young Award, further solidifying the role of the reliever as crucial to a team's success.
In 1981, Rollie Fingers took it a step further by securing both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards with 78 innings pitched. Willie Hernandez replicated this rare achievement in 1984, boasting a 1.92 ERA over 140 1/3 innings. These dual achievements by Fingers and Hernandez demonstrated that outstanding relief pitching could be pivotal to a team's overall performance.
Steve Bedrosian continued the trend in 1987, clinching the NL Cy Young Award with 40 saves out of 48 chances and 89 innings pitched. Mark Davis followed suit in 1989, winning the NL Cy Young Award after converting 44 saves in 48 opportunities and pitching 92 2/3 innings.
In 1992, Dennis Eckersley claimed both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards with 80 innings of relief work, showcasing his dominance and versatility as a reliever. More than a decade later, in 2003, Eric Gagne emerged as the only reliever to secure a Cy Young Award post-Eckersley.
Modern Stalwarts of the Bullpen
Today's bullpen aces continue to uphold the legacy of these trailblazers. Craig Kimbrel, for instance, has become a stalwart ever since being drafted as a reliever. Remarkably, Kimbrel did not start a single game in the minors until a rehabilitation stint in 2016. Aroldis Chapman, another modern-day bullpen phenom, transitioned to the bullpen in 2010 and has been a force to be reckoned with ever since.
Emmanuel Clase has also made his mark on the mound. Saving 38 games in 41 chances, Clase boasts a sterling 0.59 ERA and 0.67 WHIP. His dominance is further highlighted by his 53 strikeouts and only seven unintentional walks over 61 1/3 innings. Despite his exceptional performance, pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans rank higher than Clase in AL pitcher WAR. Fedde's transition to the National League, Skubal’s cautious approach through September, Anderson's 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP, and Ragans' continued strong performances despite recent injury are all notable in the current pitching landscape.
The Enduring Impact of Bullpen Excellence
The achievements of Mike Marshall, Rollie Fingers, Dennis Eckersley, and the like have paved the way for the modern reliever. Their legacies live on through the remarkable performances of today's bullpen stars. As the game continues to evolve, the value of an elite relief pitcher remains as critical as ever, proving that the role of the reliever is indispensable in the pursuit of baseball greatness.