Mike Marshall's 1974 season remains one of the most remarkable in Major League Baseball history. Marshall not only won the National League Cy Young Award but did so by working an astounding 200 innings in relief, setting a precedent for relievers to contribute significantly and dominate in a mostly starter-centric award category.
Over the years, several relievers have followed in Marshall’s footsteps, cementing their legacies in a field usually dominated by starting pitchers. Sparky Lyle captured the 1977 American League Cy Young Award, a nod to the increasing recognition of relievers. Bruce Sutter continued this trend by winning the 1979 NL Cy Young, establishing himself as one of the most formidable closers of his era.
One of the most notable dual achievements came in 1981 when Rollie Fingers secured both the AL MVP and Cy Young with 78 innings pitched. Fingers's versatility showcased the immense impact a reliever can have on the game. Following the path blazed by Fingers, Willie Hernandez also won both the AL MVP and Cy Young in 1984, boasting a 1.92 ERA and 140 1/3 innings pitched.
Later, Steve Bedrosian clinched the NL Cy Young Award in 1987 by securing 40 saves in 48 chances and pitching 89 innings. Just two years after Bedrosian's remarkable season, Mark Davis won the 1989 NL Cy Young Award after converting 44 saves in 48 opportunities and pitching 92 2/3 innings.
Dennis Eckersley, another icon of the bullpen, claimed both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards in 1992, delivering 80 innings of exceptional relief work. This trend of recognizing relievers peaked again in 2003 when Eric Gagne won the NL Cy Young Award. Gagne remains the only reliever to secure a Cy Young Award post-Eckersley, a testament to the exceptional rarity and difficulty of such an achievement.
Modern Reliever Dominance
Although relievers have had significant impacts on the game since the pioneering days of Marshall and Fingers, modern bullpen stars like Craig Kimbrel continue to assert their dominance. Kimbrel, who has been a stalwart in the bullpen ever since being drafted as a reliever, did not start a single game in the minors until a rehabilitation stint in 2016, demonstrating his expertise and consistency in the role.
Similarly, Aroldis Chapman transitioned to the bullpen in 2010, carving out a name for himself with blistering fastballs and consistent save counts. While younger emerging talents like Emmanuel Clase saved 38 games in 41 chances, Clase's eye-popping numbers include a 0.59 ERA, a 0.67 WHIP, and recording 53 strikeouts with only seven unintentional walks over 61 1/3 innings. These statistics underscore the continued importance of relievers in today’s game.
Comparative Achievements
Despite Clase's impressive stats, other pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans rank higher than Clase in AL pitcher WAR. Fedde has transitioned to the National League, removing him from the AL contention, while Skubal is expected to take a cautious approach through September. Anderson, pitching with a 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP, continues to contribute effectively. Ragans, facing recent injury concerns, is expected to continue his strong performances.
The dynamic landscape of MLB pitching, both historically and in contemporary contexts, underscores the evolving role of the reliever. From the days when Mike Marshall shattered precedents to today’s era, where closers like Emmanuel Clase showcase formidable stats, the contributions of relievers to the game cannot be overstated.