Mike Marshall’s 1974 season remains one of the most remarkable in Major League Baseball history. Marshall’s herculean effort from the bullpen not only earned him the National League Cy Young Award but also shattered the then-common perception that relievers were secondary players in the Cy Young race. Marshall worked an astounding 200 innings in relief, a number that still evokes awe among baseball aficionados. His accomplishment set a precedent that relievers can contribute significantly and dominate in a mostly starter-centric award category.
In the years following Marshall’s trailblazing season, other relievers also earned the prestigious Cy Young Award, ensuring that his groundbreaking achievement wasn’t a one-off fluke. Sparky Lyle captured the 1977 American League Cy Young Award, showcasing the value of a lights-out bullpen arm. Two years later, Bruce Sutter won the 1979 NL Cy Young, establishing himself as one of the most formidable closers of his era. These awards underscored that when it comes to pitching dominance, innings pitched is not the only determining factor.
Throughout the 1980s, the trend of relievers claiming Cy Young Awards continued. Rollie Fingers secured both the AL MVP and the Cy Young with just 78 innings pitched in 1981, an indicator of how impactful he was in his limited time on the mound. In 1984, Willie Hernandez duplicated this dual feat in the American League, winning both the AL MVP and the Cy Young with a stellar 1.92 ERA over 140 1/3 innings. The late '80s saw Steve Bedrosian clinch the NL Cy Young Award in 1987, behind an impressive 40 saves in 48 chances and 89 innings pitched, followed by Mark Davis winning the 1989 NL Cy Young Award after converting 44 saves in 48 opportunities and pitching 92 2/3 innings. These accolades highlighted that relievers, often working in high-leverage situations, are crucial to a team’s success.
The early '90s continued this pattern with Dennis Eckersley claiming both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards in 1992, with 80 innings of relief work. His dominance on the mound and ability to close out games was a cornerstone for his team’s success. The Cy Young Awards for relievers have been fewer and far between in recent years, but one notable exception is Eric Gagne, who won the NL Cy Young Award in 2003. Gagne remains the only reliever to secure a Cy Young Award post-Eckersley, a testament to how extraordinary his performance was that season.
In the modern era, the role of the reliever has evolved, but elite bullpen arms like Craig Kimbrel, who has been a stalwart since being drafted as a reliever, continue to make a significant impact. Kimbrel did not start a single game in the minors until a rehabilitation stint in 2016, emphasizing how some pitchers are groomed specifically for that high-stakes role from the outset of their careers. Aroldis Chapman, who transitioned to the bullpen in 2010, has also proven that relievers can sustain remarkable performance levels over multiple seasons.
One of the most outstanding performer in the bullpen is Emmanuel Clase, who saved 38 games in 41 chances. Clase's dominance is further evidenced by his minuscule 0.59 ERA and 0.67 WHIP. With 53 strikeouts and only seven unintentional walks over 61 1/3 innings, Clase’s numbers rival those of any top-tier starter. However, WAR (Wins Above Replacement) metrics show that, despite Clase's incredible season, pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans rank higher in AL pitcher WAR.
Fedde has since transitioned to the National League, and Skubal is expected to take a cautious approach through September. Anderson, with a 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP, and Ragans, who is expected to continue his strong performances despite recent injuries, further illustrate the depth of starting pitching talent in the league.
Though fewer relievers win the Cy Young Award today, their role in the game is arguably more important than ever. A dominant closer or set-up man can drastically alter the course of a game, much like a game-changing home run or a dazzling defensive play. The evolution of the reliever’s role from Mike Marshall to Emmanuel Clase is a testament to baseball’s ever-changing landscape, where adaptability and specialization carve new paths to greatness.