Mike Marshall’s 1974 season remains one of the most remarkable in Major League Baseball history. Setting a precedent for relievers, Marshall won the National League Cy Young Award by working an astonishing 200 innings in relief. This feat underscored that relievers could significantly contribute and dominate an award category traditionally dominated by starters.
The achievement of relievers in the pursuit of the Cy Young Award didn't stop with Marshall. Sparky Lyle captured the 1977 American League Cy Young Award, showcasing the increasing recognition of bullpen stalwarts. Two years later, Bruce Sutter won the 1979 NL Cy Young, establishing himself as one of the most formidable closers of his era.
Rollie Fingers took it a step further by securing both the AL MVP and Cy Young titles with an impressive 78 innings pitched in 1981. His dual success marked a milestone in the appreciation for the role of relievers in crucial game scenarios. Similarly, Willie Hernandez won both the AL MVP and Cy Young in 1984, recording a 1.92 ERA across 140 1/3 innings pitched, solidifying his status as an indispensable part of his team's arsenal.
The trend continued with Steve Bedrosian, who clinched the NL Cy Young Award in 1987 by saving 40 games in 48 chances and pitching 89 innings. Mark Davis carried the torch in 1989, winning the NL Cy Young Award after converting 44 saves in 48 opportunities, pitching an impressive 92 2/3 innings.
The Modern Era of Elite Relievers
Dennis Eckersley claimed both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards in 1992 with 80 innings of stellar relief work. However, since Eckersley's dual success, only Eric Gagne has managed to secure a Cy Young Award as a reliever, achieving this in 2003. Gagne’s success highlights the challenge relievers face in a landscape predominantly filled with dominant starters.
In contemporary baseball, figures like Craig Kimbrel and Aroldis Chapman have emerged as stalwarts in the bullpen. Kimbrel, drafted as a reliever, did not start a single game in the minors until a rehabilitation stint in 2016. Chapman made his transition to the bullpen in 2010, further demonstrating the strategic shift and the critical role relievers play in modern baseball.
Rise of New Relief Sensations
Emmanuel Clase stands out among the new wave of elite relievers. With 38 saves in 41 chances, Clase boasts a sensational 0.59 ERA and 0.67 WHIP, accompanied by 53 strikeouts and only seven unintentional walks over 61 1/3 innings. Despite such extraordinary stats, pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans rank higher than Clase in AL pitcher WAR, showcasing the stiff competition among pitchers.
Fedde, now transitioned to the National League, has shown a resurgence in his career. Skubal, on the other hand, is expected to take a cautious approach through September, focusing on sustainability and long-term health. Anderson exhibits a 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP, highlighting his consistent yet challenging performances on the mound. Ragans, despite recent injury, is expected to continue his strong performances, offering optimism to his team's bullpen strength.
From Marshall's groundbreaking season in 1974 to the current exploits of Clase and company, relievers have carved out an essential niche in the baseball landscape. They continue to challenge norms and redefine the art of relief pitching, bringing excitement and tactical depth to the sport.