The Cy Young Award was Commissioner Ford Frick's idea to honor the best pitcher in Major League Baseball. Hard lessons were learned by the Chalmers Award earlier in history so the recipients of the Cy Young Award were selected by the Baseball Writers Association of America from the beginning.
Cy Young Award Key:
Bold = Pitcher won unanimously
HOF = Pitcher is now in the Hall of Fame
MVP = Pitcher also won the MVP Award that SAME year
ROY = Pitcher also won the Rookie of the Year that SAME year
ASG = Pitcher was sent to the All-Star Game that SAME year
SS = Pitcher also won a Silver Slugger Award that SAME year
Cy Young Award Notes: During the first eleven years (1956 - 1966), only one winner from Major League Baseball was selected. Immediately after Commissioner Frick retired, the rules were changed to honor the best pitcher from each league. The totals in the Team (Quantity) column INCLUDE franchise changes. Example: The Dodgers won in 1962, it was their second in team history, due to a winner in 1956, when they were located in Brooklyn. Research by Baseball Almanac.
"I didn't cheat when I won the twenty-five games in 1961. I don't want anybody to get any ideas and take my Cy Young Award away. And, I didn't cheat in 1963 when I won twenty-four games. Well, maybe just a little." - Ford, Whitey. Slick: My Life in and Around Baseball. William Morrow & Company. 1 April 1987.
Cy Young Award Winning PitchersAn American League Cy Young Award In Chronological Order | One Winner Only in Major League Baseball (1956-1966) |
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Year | LG | Cy Young Award Winner (Qty) | Team (Qty) | TH | W-L | ERA | IP | SO | SV |
1956 | NL | Don Newcombe (1 | MVP) | Brooklyn (1) | R | 27-7 | 3.06 | 268.0 | 139 | 0 |
1957 | NL | Warren Spahn (1 | HOF | ASG) | Milwaukee (1) | L | 21-11 | 2.69 | 271.0 | 111 | 3 |
1958 | AL | Bob Turley (1 | ASG) | New York (1) | R | 21-7 | 2.97 | 245.1 | 168 | 1 |
1959 | AL | Early Wynn (1 | HOF | ASG) | Chicago (1) | R | 22-10 | 3.17 | 255.2 | 179 | 0 |
1960 | NL | Vern Law (1 | ASG) | Pittsburgh (1) | R | 20-9 | 3.08 | 271.2 | 120 | 0 |
1961 | AL | Whitey Ford (1 | HOF | ASG) | New York (2) | L | 25-4 | 3.21 | 283.0 | 209 | 0 |
1962 | NL | Don Drysdale (1 | HOF | ASG) | Los Angeles (2) | R | 25-9 | 2.83 | 314.1 | 232 | 1 |
1963 | NL | Sandy Koufax (1 | HOF | MVP | ASG) | Los Angeles (3) | L | 25-5 | 1.88 | 311.0 | 306 | 0 |
1964 | AL | Dean Chance (1 | ASG) | Los Angeles (1) | R | 20-9 | 1.65 | 278.1 | 207 | 4 |
1965 | NL | Sandy Koufax (2 | HOF | ASG) | Los Angeles (4) | L | 26-8 | 2.04 | 335.2 | 382 | 2 |
1966 | NL | Sandy Koufax (3 | HOF | ASG) | Los Angeles (5) | L | 27-9 | 1.73 | 323.0 | 317 | 0 |
Year | LG | Cy Young Award Winner (Qty) | Team (Qty) | TH | W-L | ERA | IP | SO | SV |
Cy Young AwardIn Chronological Order | One Winning Pitcher From Each League (1967-2024) |
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Year | LG | Cy Young Award Winner (Qty) | Team (Qty) | TH | W-L | ERA | IP | SO | SV |
1967 | AL | Jim Lonborg (1 | ASG) | Boston (1) | R | 22-9 | 3.16 | 273.1 | 246 | 0 |
1967 | NL | Mike McCormick (1) | San Francisco (1) | L | 22-10 | 2.85 | 262.1 | 150 | 0 |
1968 | AL | Denny McLain (1 | MVP | ASG) | Detroit (1) | R | 31-6 | 1.96 | 336.0 | 280 | 0 |
1968 | NL | Bob Gibson (1 | HOF | ASG) | St. Louis (1) | R | 22-9 | 1.12 | 304.2 | 268 | 0 |
1969 | AL | Mike Cuellar (1) | Baltimore (1) | L | 23-11 | 2.38 | 290.2 | 182 | 0 |
1969 | AL | Denny McLain (2 | ASG) | Detroit (2) | R | 24-9 | 2.80 | 325.0 | 181 | 0 |
1969 | NL | Tom Seaver (1 | HOF | ASG) | New York (1) | R | 25-7 | 2.21 | 273.1 | 208 | 0 |
1970 | AL | Jim Perry (1 | ASG) | Minnesota (1) | R | 24-12 | 3.03 | 279.0 | 168 | 0 |
1970 | NL | Bob Gibson (2 | HOF | ASG) | St. Louis (2) | R | 23-7 | 3.12 | 294.0 | 274 | 0 |
1971 | AL | Vida Blue (1 | MVP | ASG) | Oakland (1) | L | 24-8 | 1.82 | 312.0 | 301 | 0 |
1971 | NL | Fergie Jenkins (1 | HOF | ASG) | Chicago (1) | R | 24-13 | 2.77 | 325.0 | 263 | 0 |
1972 | AL | Gaylord Perry (1 | HOF | ASG) | Cleveland (1) | R | 24-16 | 1.92 | 343.0 | 234 | 1 |
1972 | NL | Steve Carlton (1 | HOF | ASG) | Philadelphia (1) | L | 27-10 | 1.97 | 346.1 | 310 | 0 |
1973 | AL | Jim Palmer (1 | HOF) | Baltimore (2) | R | 22-9 | 2.40 | 296.0 | 158 | 0 |
1973 | NL | Tom Seaver (2 | HOF | ASG) | New York (2) | R | 19-10 | 2.08 | 290.0 | 251 | 0 |
1974 | AL | Catfish Hunter (1 | HOF | ASG) | Oakland (2) | R | 25-12 | 2.49 | 318.0 | 143 | 0 |
1974 | NL | Mike Marshall (1 | ASG) | Los Angeles (6) | R | 15-12 | 2.42 | 208.1 | 143 | 21 |
1975 | AL | Jim Palmer (2 | HOF | ASG) | Baltimore (3) | R | 23-11 | 2.09 | 323.0 | 193 | 0 |
1975 | NL | Tom Seaver (3 | HOF | ASG) | New York (3) | R | 22-9 | 2.38 | 280.1 | 243 | 0 |
1976 | AL | Jim Palmer (3 | HOF) | Baltimore (4) | R | 22-13 | 2.51 | 315.0 | 159 | 0 |
1976 | NL | Randy Jones (1 | ASG) | San Diego (1) | L | 22-14 | 2.74 | 315.1 | 93 | 0 |
1977 | AL | Sparky Lyle (1 | ASG) | New York (3) | L | 13-5 | 2.17 | 137.0 | 68 | 26 |
1977 | NL | Steve Carlton (2 | HOF | ASG) | Philadelphia (2) | L | 23-10 | 2.64 | 283.0 | 198 | 0 |
1978 | AL | Ron Guidry (1 | ASG) | New York (4) | L | 25-3 | 1.74 | 273.2 | 248 | 0 |
1978 | NL | Gaylord Perry (2 | HOF) | San Diego (2) | R | 21-6 | 2.73 | 260.2 | 154 | 0 |
1979 | AL | Mike Flanagan (1) | Baltimore (5) | L | 23-9 | 3.08 | 266.0 | 190 | 0 |
1979 | NL | Bruce Sutter (1 | HOF | ASG) | Chicago (2) | R | 6-6 | 2.22 | 101.1 | 110 | 37 |
1980 | AL | Steve Stone (1 | ASG) | Baltimore (6) | R | 25-7 | 3.23 | 251.0 | 149 | 0 |
1980 | NL | Steve Carlton (3 | HOF | ASG) | Philadelphia (3) | L | 24-9 | 2.34 | 304.0 | 286 | 0 |
1981 | AL | Rollie Fingers (1 | HOF | MVP | ASG) | Milwaukee (1) | R | 6-3 | 1.04 | 78.0 | 61 | 28 |
1981 | NL | Fernando Valenzuela (1 | ROY | SS | ASG) | Los Angeles (7) | L | 13-7 | 2.48 | 192.1 | 180 | 0 |
1982 | AL | Pete Vuckovich (1) | Milwaukee (2) | R | 18-6 | 3.34 | 223.2 | 105 | 0 |
1982 | NL | Steve Carlton (4 | HOF | ASG) | Philadelphia (4) | L | 23-11 | 3.10 | 295.2 | 286 | 0 |
1983 | AL | La Marr Hoyt (1) | Chicago (2) | R | 24-10 | 3.66 | 260.2 | 148 | 0 |
1983 | NL | John Denny (1) | Philadelphia (5) | R | 19-6 | 2.37 | 242.2 | 139 | 0 |
1984 | AL | Willie Hernandez (1 | MVP | ASG) | Detroit (3) | L | 9-3 | 1.92 | 140.1 | 112 | 32 |
1984 | NL | Rick Sutcliffe (1) | Chicago (3) | R | 16-1 | 2.69 | 150.1 | 155 | 0 |
1985 | AL | Bret Saberhagen (1) | Kansas City (1) | R | 20-6 | 2.87 | 235.1 | 158 | 0 |
1985 | NL | Dwight Gooden (1 | ASG) | New York (4) | R | 24-4 | 1.53 | 276.2 | 268 | 0 |
1986 | AL | Roger Clemens (1 | MVP | ASG) | Boston (2) | R | 24-4 | 2.48 | 254.0 | 238 | 0 |
1986 | NL | Mike Scott (1 | ASG) | Houston (1) | R | 18-10 | 2.22 | 275.1 | 306 | 0 |
1987 | AL | Roger Clemens (2) | Boston (3) | R | 20-9 | 2.97 | 281.2 | 256 | 0 |
1987 | NL | Steve Bedrosian (1 | ASG) | Philadelphia (6) | R | 5-3 | 2.83 | 89.0 | 74 | 40 |
1988 | AL | Frank Viola (1) | Minnesota (2) | L | 24-7 | 2.64 | 255.1 | 193 | 0 |
1988 | NL | Orel Hershiser (1 | ASG) | Los Angeles (8) | R | 23-8 | 2.26 | 267.0 | 178 | 1 |
1989 | AL | Bret Saberhagen (2) | Kansas City (2) | R | 23-6 | 2.16 | 262.1 | 193 | 0 |
1989 | NL | Mark Davis (1 | ASG) | San Diego (3) | L | 4-3 | 1.85 | 92.2 | 92 | 44 |
1990 | AL | Bob Welch (1 | ASG) | Oakland (3) | R | 27-6 | 2.95 | 238.0 | 127 | 0 |
1990 | NL | Doug Drabek (1) | Pittsburgh (2) | R | 22-6 | 2.76 | 231.1 | 131 | 0 |
1991 | AL | Roger Clemens (3 | ASG) | Boston (4) | R | 18-10 | 2.62 | 271.1 | 241 | 0 |
1991 | NL | Tom Glavine (1 | HOF | SS | ASG) | Atlanta (2) | L | 20-11 | 2.55 | 246.2 | 192 | 0 |
1992 | AL | Dennis Eckersley (1 | HOF | MVP | ASG) | Oakland (4) | R | 7-1 | 1.91 | 80.0 | 93 | 51 |
1992 | NL | Greg Maddux (1 | HOF | ASG) | Chicago (4) | R | 20-11 | 2.18 | 268.0 | 199 | 0 |
1993 | AL | Jack McDowell (1 | ASG) | Chicago (3) | R | 22-10 | 3.37 | 256.2 | 158 | 0 |
1993 | NL | Greg Maddux (2 | HOF) | Atlanta (3) | R | 20-10 | 2.36 | 267.0 | 197 | 0 |
1994 | AL | David Cone (1 | ASG) | Kansas City (3) | R | 16-5 | 2.94 | 171.2 | 132 | 0 |
1994 | NL | Greg Maddux (3 | HOF | ASG) | Atlanta (4) | R | 16-6 | 1.56 | 202.0 | 156 | 0 |
1995 | AL | Randy Johnson (1 | HOF | ASG) | Seattle (1) | L | 18-2 | 2.48 | 214.1 | 294 | 0 |
1995 | NL | Greg Maddux (4 | HOF | ASG) | Atlanta (5) | R | 19-2 | 1.63 | 209.2 | 181 | 0 |
1996 | AL | Pat Hentgen (1) | Toronto (1) | R | 20-10 | 3.22 | 265.2 | 177 | 0 |
1996 | NL | John Smoltz (1 | HOF | ASG) | Atlanta (6) | R | 24-8 | 2.94 | 253.2 | 176 | 0 |
1997 | AL | Roger Clemens (4 | ASG) | Toronto (2) | R | 21-7 | 2.05 | 264.0 | 292 | 0 |
1997 | NL | Pedro Martinez (1 | HOF | ASG) | Montreal (1) | R | 17-8 | 1.90 | 241.1 | 305 | 0 |
1998 | AL | Roger Clemens (5 | ASG) | Toronto (3) | R | 20-6 | 2.65 | 234.2 | 271 | 0 |
1998 | NL | Tom Glavine (2 | HOF | SS | ASG) | Atlanta (7) | L | 20-6 | 2.47 | 229.1 | 157 | 0 |
1999 | AL | Pedro Martinez (2 | HOF | ASG) | Boston (5) | R | 23-4 | 2.07 | 213.1 | 313 | 0 |
1999 | NL | Randy Johnson (2 | HOF | ASG) | Arizona (1) | L | 17-9 | 2.48 | 271.2 | 364 | 0 |
2000 | AL | Pedro Martinez (3 | HOF | ASG) | Boston (6) | R | 18-6 | 1.74 | 217.0 | 284 | 0 |
2000 | NL | Randy Johnson (3 | HOF | ASG) | Arizona (2) | L | 19-7 | 2.64 | 248.2 | 347 | 0 |
2001 | AL | Roger Clemens (6 | ASG) | New York (5) | R | 20-3 | 3.51 | 220.1 | 213 | 0 |
2001 | NL | Randy Johnson (4 | HOF | ASG) | Arizona (3) | L | 21-6 | 2.49 | 249.2 | 372 | 0 |
2002 | AL | Barry Zito (1 | ASG) | Oakland (5) | L | 23-5 | 2.75 | 229.1 | 182 | 0 |
2002 | NL | Randy Johnson (5 | HOF | ASG) | Arizona (4) | L | 24-5 | 2.32 | 260.0 | 334 | 0 |
2003 | AL | Roy Halladay (1 | HOF | ASG) | Toronto (4) | R | 22-7 | 3.25 | 266.0 | 204 | 0 |
2003 | NL | Eric Gagne (1 | ASG) | Los Angeles (9) | R | 2-3 | 1.20 | 82.1 | 137 | 55 |
2004 | AL | Johan Santana (1) | Minnesota (3) | L | 20-6 | 2.61 | 228.0 | 265 | 0 |
2004 | NL | Roger Clemens (7 | ASG) | Houston (2) | R | 18-4 | 2.98 | 214.1 | 218 | 0 |
2005 | AL | Bartolo Colon (1 | ASG) | Anaheim (2) | R | 21-8 | 3.48 | 222.2 | 157 | 0 |
2005 | NL | Chris Carpenter (1 | ASG) | St. Louis (3) | R | 21-5 | 2.83 | 241.2 | 213 | 0 |
2006 | AL | Johan Santana (2 | ASG) | Minnesota (4) | L | 19-6 | 2.77 | 233.2 | 245 | 0 |
2006 | NL | Brandon Webb (1 | ASG) | Arizona (5) | R | 16-8 | 3.10 | 235.0 | 178 | 0 |
2007 | AL | CC Sabathia (1 | ASG) | Cleveland (2) | L | 19-7 | 3.21 | 241.0 | 209 | 0 |
2007 | NL | Jake Peavy (1 | ASG) | San Diego (4) | R | 19-6 | 2.54 | 223.1 | 240 | 0 |
2008 | AL | Cliff Lee (1 | ASG) | Cleveland (3) | L | 22-3 | 2.54 | 223.1 | 170 | 0 |
2008 | NL | Tim Lincecum (1 | ASG) | San Francisco (2) | R | 18-5 | 2.62 | 227.0 | 265 | 0 |
2009 | AL | Zack Greinke (1 | ASG) | Kansas City (4) | R | 16-8 | 2.16 | 229.1 | 242 | 0 |
2009 | NL | Tim Lincecum (2 | ASG) | San Francisco (3) | R | 15-7 | 2.48 | 225.1 | 261 | 0 |
2010 | AL | Felix Hernandez (1) | Seattle (2) | R | 13-12 | 2.27 | 249.2 | 232 | 0 |
2010 | NL | Roy Halladay (2 | HOF | ASG) | Philadelphia (7) | R | 21-10 | 2.44 | 250.2 | 219 | 0 |
2011 | AL | Justin Verlander (1 | MVP | ASG) | Detroit (4) | R | 24-5 | 2.40 | 251.0 | 250 | 0 |
2011 | NL | Clayton Kershaw (1 | ASG) | Los Angeles (10) | L | 21-5 | 2.28 | 233.1 | 248 | 0 |
2012 | AL | David Price (1 | ASG) | Tampa Bay (1) | L | 20-5 | 2.56 | 211.0 | 205 | 0 |
2012 | NL | R.A. Dickey (1 | ASG) | New York (5) | R | 20-6 | 2.74 | 233.2 | 230 | 0 |
2013 | AL | Max Scherzer (1 | ASG) | Detroit (5) | R | 21-3 | 2.90 | 214.1 | 240 | 0 |
2013 | NL | Clayton Kershaw (2 | ASG) | Los Angeles (11) | L | 16-9 | 1.83 | 236.0 | 232 | 0 |
2014 | AL | Corey Kluber (1) | Cleveland (4) | R | 18-9 | 2.45 | 235.2 | 269 | 0 |
2014 | NL | Clayton Kershaw (3 | MVP | ASG) | Los Angeles (12) | L | 21-3 | 1.77 | 198.1 | 239 | 0 |
2015 | AL | Dallas Keuchel (1 | ASG) | Houston (3) | L | 20-8 | 2.48 | 232.0 | 216 | 0 |
2015 | NL | Jake Arrieta (1) | Chicago (5) | R | 22-6 | 1.77 | 229.0 | 236 | 0 |
2016 | AL | Rick Porcello (1) | Boston (7) | R | 22-4 | 3.15 | 223.0 | 189 | 0 |
2016 | NL | Max Scherzer (2 | ASG) | Washington (2) | R | 20-7 | 2.96 | 228.1 | 284 | 0 |
2017 | AL | Corey Kluber (2 | ASG) | Cleveland (5) | R | 18-4 | 2.25 | 203.2 | 265 | 0 |
2017 | NL | Max Scherzer (3 | ASG) | Washington (3) | R | 16-6 | 2.51 | 200.2 | 268 | 0 |
2018 | AL | Blake Snell (1 | ASG) | Tampa Bay (2) | L | 21-5 | 1.89 | 180.2 | 221 | 0 |
2018 | NL | Jacob deGrom (1 | ASG) | New York (6) | R | 10-9 | 1.70 | 217.0 | 269 | 0 |
2019 | AL | Justin Verlander (2 | ASG) | Houston (4) | R | 21-6 | 2.58 | 223.0 | 300 | 0 |
2019 | NL | Jacob deGrom (2 | ASG) | New York (7) | R | 11-8 | 2.43 | 204.0 | 255 | 0 |
2020 | AL | Shane Bieber (1) | Cleveland (6) | R | 8-1 | 1.63 | 77.1 | 122 | 0 |
2020 | NL | Trevor Bauer (1) | Cincinnati (1) | R | 5-4 | 1.73 | 73.0 | 100 | 0 |
2021 | AL | Robbie Ray (1) | Toronto (5) | L | 13-7 | 2.84 | 193.1 | 248 | 0 |
2021 | NL | Corbin Burnes (1) | Milwaukee (3) | R | 11-5 | 2.43 | 167.0 | 234 | 0 |
2022 | AL | Justin Verlander (3 | ASG) | Houston (5) | R | 18-4 | 1.75 | 175.0 | 185 | 0 |
2022 | NL | Sandy Alcantara (1 | ASG) | Miami (1) | R | 14-9 | 2.28 | 228.2 | 207 | 0 |
2023 | AL | Gerrit Cole (1 | ASG) | New York (6) | R | 15-4 | 2.63 | 209.0 | 222 | 0 |
2023 | NL | Blake Snell (2) | San Diego (5) | L | 14-9 | 2.25 | 180.0 | 234 | 0 |
2024 | AL | Not Yet Announced (11-2024) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
2024 | NL | Not Yet Announced (11-2024) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Year | LG | Cy Young Award Winner (Qty) | Team (Qty) | TH | W-L | ERA | IP | SO | SV |
Cy Young Award Winners | Baseball Awards | Research by Baseball Almanac |
In 1957, Warren Spahn became the first left-handed pitcher to receive the Cy Young Award. Do you believe he was the most dominant lefty in Major League history? Was the BBWAA correct making Verlander and Alcantara both unanimous selections in 2022, or did another pitcher deserve a first-place vote? Share your opinions with us on our Baseball Almanac Facebook Group, on Baseball Almanac Twitter, via Baseball Almanac Messenger, or our baseball forum — Baseball Fever.
Who was the oldest winner? In 1978, Gaylord Perry became the oldest pitcher (forty years thirty-five days) to receive the Cy Young Award. In 2004, at forty-two years young, Roger Clemens won his record setting seventh Cy Young Award and broke Perry's age-specific record.
What pitchers have won a Cy Young Award in the American and National League? They are, in order; Gaylord Perry, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Roy Halladay, Max Scherzer, and Blake Snell.
Did you know that in 1974, Mike Marshall of the Los Angeles Dodgers became the first relief-pitcher to receive / earn the Cy Young Award? Six years earlier (1968), both pitchers were voted unanimously – another first in Cy Young Award history!