When it comes to relievers making significant marks in Major League Baseball, few have managed to reach the heights of Mike Marshall in 1974. Marshall's performance that year remains one of the most astonishing feats in baseball history, as he won the National League Cy Young Award after pitching an incredible 200 innings solely in relief. This remarkable achievement demonstrated that relievers could indeed dominate and contribute significantly to a mostly starter-centric award category.
Throughout the years, several other relievers have etched their names into baseball lore by capturing the Cy Young Award. For instance, Sparky Lyle took home the 1977 American League Cy Young Award, and Bruce Sutter followed suit by winning the National League Cy Young in 1979, cementing his legacy as one of the era's most formidable closers. The early '80s saw Rollie Fingers earning both the AL MVP and Cy Young in 1981 with 78 innings pitched. Bill Mueller also highlighted the crucial role of relievers by achieving both honors in 1984, boasting a 1.92 ERA over 140 1/3 innings pitched.
The trend continued with Steve Bedrosian, who clinched the NL Cy Young Award in 1987, having converted 40 saves in 48 chances and pitched 89 innings. Similarly, Mark Davis won the 1989 NL Cy Young, converting 44 saves in 48 opportunities and recording 92 2/3 innings of work. Dennis Eckersley further cemented the role of relievers in the Cy Young conversation by claiming both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards in 1992 with 80 innings of reliable relief.
Eric Gagne stands out as the last reliever to win a Cy Young Award post-Eckersley, achieving the honor in 2003. Gagne's dominance from the bullpen remains a testament to the significant impact a closer can have on a team's success. In recent years, pitchers like Craig Kimbrel and Aroldis Chapman have exemplified the consistency and prowess required to be top-tier relievers. Kimbrel, drafted as a reliever, did not start a single game in the minors until a rehabilitation stint in 2016, indicating his steadfast role in the bullpen. Aroldis Chapman transitioned to the bullpen back in 2010 and has since been a dominant force.
Emmanuel Clase is another name that stands out in the discussion of elite relievers. Clase's 2021 season saw him save 38 games in 41 chances, boasting a minuscule 0.59 ERA and a 0.67 WHIP. Over 61 1/3 innings, Clase recorded 53 strikeouts while issuing just seven unintentional walks—a performance that undoubtedly puts him among the best in the league despite other pitchers like Tarik Skubal and Tyler Anderson ranking higher in AL pitcher WAR.
Skubal, expected to take a cautious approach through September, has carved a niche for himself amongst the elite. Meanwhile, pitchers like Erick Fedde, who has transitioned to the National League, and Cole Ragans, anticipated to continue his strong performance despite recent injury, have demonstrated their capabilities as solid starters.
Tyler Anderson, with a 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP, also merits attention in the overall evaluation of AL pitchers. However, the contributions of relievers like Clase cannot be overstated, as their specialized roles often mean performing under high-pressure situations where a single mistake can alter the course of a game.
As the role of the reliever continues to evolve, these pitchers have repeatedly shown that they can be as crucial to a team's success as any starter. From Mike Marshall's pioneering 1974 season to the dominance exhibited by modern-day closers, the impact of a steadfast bullpen arm remains an integral part of the rich tapestry of Major League Baseball.