Mike Marshall’s 1974 season remains one of the most extraordinary in Major League Baseball history. That year, Marshall won the National League Cy Young Award by pitching an astounding 200 innings in relief, a feat that still stands out today. His achievement demonstrated that relievers could be dominant figures in a predominantly starter-centric award category, setting a new precedent for future generations.
The following years saw a handful of relievers replicating Marshall's impact in various ways. Sparky Lyle captured the 1977 American League Cy Young Award, showcasing his remarkable prowess out of the bullpen. Just two years later, Bruce Sutter won the 1979 NL Cy Young, establishing himself as one of the most formidable closers of his era.
Dual MVP and Cy Young Winners
The early 1980s continued to shine a spotlight on the value of relievers, highlighted by Rollie Fingers in 1981. Fingers secured both the AL MVP and Cy Young with 78 innings pitched, further demonstrating the critical role of a dominant bullpen presence. Willie Hernandez replicated this rare double in 1984, winning both the AL MVP and Cy Young with a stellar 1.92 ERA and 140 1/3 innings pitched. These performances underscored the importance of elite relievers in securing victories for their teams.
Consistency and Dominance in the Late 80s
Not to be outshined, Steve Bedrosian clinched the NL Cy Young Award in 1987, impressively recording 40 saves in 48 chances with 89 innings pitched. Mark Davis followed suit in 1989, earning the NL Cy Young by converting 44 saves in 48 opportunities and pitching 92 2/3 innings. These triumphs reflect the sustained excellence and reliability these closers brought to their teams.
The Eckersley Era
Dennis Eckersley’s remarkable 1992 season saw him claim both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards with 80 innings of relief work. Eckersley's pinpoint control and foreboding presence on the mound established him as a premier closer. His dominance in the early 90s was a testament to the evolution of the closer role in modern baseball.
Relievers in the 21st Century
The turn of the century has seen fewer relievers win the Cy Young Award, with Eric Gagne being a notable exception. Gagne's electrifying performances in 2003 earned him the NL Cy Young, making him the only reliever to secure the award post-Eckersley. His dominance during that period highlighted the unique impact relievers can have, even in a single inning of work.
Other contemporary stars have also made their mark. Craig Kimbrel has been a stalwart in the bullpen ever since being drafted as a reliever. Remarkably, he did not start a single game in the minors until a brief rehabilitation stint in 2016. Similarly, Aroldis Chapman transitioned to the bullpen in 2010, leveraging his blistering fastball to become one of the most feared closers in the game.
Modern-Day Standouts
Emmanuel Clase's recent performance has brought renewed attention to the role of the reliever. Clase saved 38 games in 41 chances with a remarkable 0.59 ERA and 0.67 WHIP. He recorded 53 strikeouts and only seven unintentional walks over 61 1/3 innings, exemplifying the dominance that elite relievers can still achieve. Despite his impressive stats, pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans have achieved higher AL pitcher WAR, indicating the ongoing competition among top pitchers.
With Fedde transitioning to the National League, Skubal expected to approach September cautiously, and Anderson pitching with a 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP, the landscape of elite pitching continues to evolve. Ragans is anticipated to maintain his strong performances despite recent injury concerns, showcasing the resilience and determination prevalent among today's top pitchers.
The legacy of Mike Marshall and the subsequent heights reached by other relievers have cemented the importance of the bullpen in baseball history. As the game continues to evolve, the contributions of these elite relievers remain a core element of team success and a testament to the enduring impact of dominant relief pitching.