Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award

Sporting News established the Pitcher of the Year Award in 1944 to recognize the most outstanding pitchers in Major League Baseball. Until the award was replaced by two separate ones in 2013, it was given annually to one pitcher each in the American League and National League. No awards were given in 1946 or 1947. This award was established before there was a Cy Young Award, MLB's official honor for the best pitcher in each league. The Cy Young Award is voted by baseball writers from each city, and critics claim that the writers who follow a particular team or player throughout a season are naturally inclined to vote for him. In 2013, the Pitcher of the Year Award was split into the Starting Pitcher of the Year Award and Relief Pitcher of the Year Award, which are given annually to a starting pitcher and relief pitchers in each league, as judged by Sporting News baseball experts.

History

By the Second World War, the Sporting News, had been giving Player of the Year and Manager of the Year awards since 1936, and an annual Most Valuable Player Award since 1929. In 1944, the Sporting News inaugurated its Pitcher of the Year Award, which has been given each year since to the most outstanding pitcher in each league, with a brief hiatus from 1946–47. Beginning in 2013, the Sporting News issues two awards per league—one to the most outstanding starting pitcher, and one to the most outstanding reliever.

First and youngest players to win awards

Hal Newhouser could have narrowly won the award or tied with Bob Feller for a third time in 1946 based upon his statistics.

Winners

Key

*	Also named SN Player of the Year
**	Also named SN Rookie Pitcher of the year
	Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
	Major League Pitching Triple Crown – Led Majors in Wins, Strikeouts and ERA.
	Indicates player won the Warren Spahn Award that season.
	Player is active
Italics	Indicates player led the National or American League in Wins, Strikeouts, ERA or Saves.
Italics	Indicates player led the Major League in Wins, Strikeouts, ERA or Saves.

American League Awardees

Listed below in reverse chronological order are the American League Pitchers chosen by Sporting News as recipients of the Pitcher of the Year Award.
, the first and youngest player to win 2 consecutive Pitcher of the Year Awards.
, the SN 2018 winner.
, three-time winner, reached 3,000 strikeouts while pitching for the Mets
, 1977 winner, won his only World Series pitching for the Mets.
, 1953 Awnner
, two-time winner, was the MLB ERA champ in 2008, while pitching for the Mets.
, 2005 winner, was the MLB leader in BB per 9 IP in 2015, while pitching for the Mets.

American League Starting Pitchers

Year	Pitcher	Team	Record	ERA	K	References
2019		Houston Astros		2.50	326
2018		Boston Red Sox		2.11	237
2017		Boston Red Sox		2.90	308
2016		Cleveland Indians		3.14	227
2015		Houston Astros		2.48	216
2014		Seattle Mariners		2.14	248
2013		Detroit Tigers		2.90	240

American League Relief Pitchers

Year	Pitchers	Team	Record	ERA	Saves	References
2019		Oakland Athletics		1.80	25
2018		Seattle Mariners		1.96	57
2017		Boston Red Sox		1.43	35
2016		Baltimore Orioles		0.54	47
2015		New York Yankees		1.50	9
2014		New York Yankees		1.40	1
2013		Kansas City Royals		1.21	47

American League Pitchers

Year	Pitcher	Team	Record	ERA	K	References
2012		Detroit Tigers	17–8	2.64	239
2012		Tampa Bay Rays	20–5	2.56	205
2011	*	Detroit Tigers	24–5	2.40	250
2010		Seattle Mariners	13–12	2.27	232
2009		Kansas City Royals	16–8	2.16	242
2008		Cleveland Indians	22–3	2.54	170
2007		Cleveland Indians	19–7	3.21	209
2006		Minnesota Twins	19–6	2.77	245
2005		Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	21–8	3.48	157
2004		Minnesota Twins	20–6	2.61	265
2003		Toronto Blue Jays	22–7	3.25	204
2002		Oakland Athletics	23–5	2.75	182
2001		New York Yankees	20–3	3.51	213
2000		Boston Red Sox	18–6	1.74	284
1999		Boston Red Sox	23–4	2.07	313
1998		Toronto Blue Jays	20–6	2.65	271
1997		Toronto Blue Jays	21–7	2.05	292
1996		Toronto Blue Jays	20–10	3.22	177
1995		Seattle Mariners	18–2	2.48	294
1994		New York Yankees	17–4	2.48	177
1993		Chicago White Sox	22–10	3.37	158
1992		Oakland Athletics	7–1	1.91	93
1991		Boston Red Sox	18–10	2.62	241
1990		Oakland Athletics	27–6	2.95	127
1989		Kansas City Royals	23–6	2.16	193
1988		Minnesota Twins	24–7	2.64	193
1987		Toronto Blue Jays	17–8	2.76	161
1986	*	Boston Red Sox	24–4	2.48	238
1985		Kansas City Royals	20–6	2.87	143
1984		Detroit Tigers	9–3	1.92	112
1983		Chicago White Sox	24–10	3.66	148
1982		Toronto Blue Jays	17–14	3.25	138
1981		Detroit Tigers	14–7	3.05	97
1980		Baltimore Orioles	25–7	3.23	149
1979		Baltimore Orioles	23–9	3.08	190
1978	*	New York Yankees	25–3	1.74	248
1977		California Angels	19–16	2.77	341
1976		Baltimore Orioles	22–13	2.51	159
1975		Baltimore Orioles	23–11	2.09	193
1974		Oakland Athletics	25–12	2.49	143
1973		Baltimore Orioles	22–9	2.40	158
1972		Chicago White Sox	24–17	2.51	193
1971		Oakland Athletics	24–8	1.82	301
1970		Cleveland Indians	20–12	2.92	304
1969		Detroit Tigers	24–9	2.80	181
1968	*	Detroit Tigers	31–6	1.96	280
1967		Boston Red Sox	22–9	3.16	246
1966		Minnesota Twins	25–13	2.75	205
1965		Minnesota Twins	21–7	3.30	142
1964		Los Angeles Angels	20–9	1.65	207
1963		New York Yankees	24–7	2.74	189
1962		Cleveland Indians	20–10	3.59	94
1961		New York Yankees	25–4	3.21	209
1960		Baltimore Orioles	18–11	3.58	144
1959	*	Chicago White Sox	22–10	3.17	179
1958	*	New York Yankees	21–7	2.97	168
1957		Chicago White Sox	20–12	3.26	171
1956		Chicago White Sox	20–9	3.32	192
1955		New York Yankees	18–7	2.63	137
1954		Cleveland Indians	23–7	2.72	110
1953		Washington Senators	22–10	3.35	77
1952		Philadelphia Athletics	24–7	2.48	152
1951		Cleveland Indians	22–8	3.50	111
1950		Cleveland Indians	23–11	3.84	170
1949		Boston Red Sox	23–6	3.36	138
1948		Cleveland Indians	20–14	2.82	147
1945	*	Detroit Tigers	25–9	1.81	212
1944		Detroit Tigers	29–9	2.22	187

National League Awardees

Listed below in reverse chronological order are the National League Pitchers chosen by Sporting News as recipients of the Pitcher of the Year Award.

National League Starting Pitchers

Year	Pitchers	Team	Record	ERA	K	References
2019		New York Mets	11-8	2.43	255
2018		New York Mets	10-9	1.70	269
2017		Washington Nationals	16-6	2.51	268
2016		Washington Nationals	20–7	2.96	284
2015		Los Angeles Dodgers	19–3	1.66	200
2014	*	Los Angeles Dodgers	21–3	1.77	239
2013		Los Angeles Dodgers	16–9	1.83	232

National League Relief Pitchers

Year	Pitchers	Team	Record	ERA	Saves	References
2019		San Diego Padres	0-5	1.19	41
2018		Milwaukee Brewers	6-1	2.43	12
2017		Los Angeles Dodgers	5–0	1.32	41
2016		Los Angeles Dodgers	3–2	2.20	47
2015		Pittsburgh Pirates	3–2	2.23	51
2014		Atlanta Braves	0–3	1.61	47
2013		Atlanta Braves	4–3	1.21	50

National League Pitchers

Year	National League Pitchers	Team	Record	ERA	K	References
2012		New York Mets	20–6	2.73	230
2011		Los Angeles Dodgers	21–5	2.28	248
2010		Philadelphia Phillies	21–10	2.44	219
2009		San Francisco Giants	15–7	2.48	261
2008		San Francisco Giants	18–5	2.62	265
2007		San Diego Padres	19–6	2.54	240
2006		St. Louis Cardinals	15–8	3.09	184
2005		St. Louis Cardinals	21–5	2.83	213
2004		San Francisco Giants	18–7	3.49	206
2003		Los Angeles Dodgers	2–3	1.20	137
2002		Arizona Diamondbacks	23–7	3.23	316
2001		Arizona Diamondbacks	22–6	2.98	293
2000		Atlanta Braves	21–9	3.40	152
1999		Houston Astros	22–4	2.90	177
1998		San Diego Padres	18–7	2.38	257
1997		Montreal Expos	17–8	1.90	305
1996		Atlanta Braves	24–8	2.94	276
1995		Atlanta Braves	19–2	1.63	181
1994		Atlanta Braves	16–6	1.56	156
1993		Atlanta Braves	20–10	2.36	197
1992		Chicago Cubs	20–11	2.18	199
1991		Atlanta Braves	20–11	2.55	192
1990		Pittsburgh Pirates	22–6	2.76	131
1989		San Diego Padres	4–3	1.85	92
1988	*	Los Angeles Dodgers	23–8	2.26	213
1987		Chicago Cubs	18–10	3.68	174
1986		Houston Astros	18–10	2.22	306
1985		New York Mets	24–4	1.53	268
1984		Chicago Cubs	16–1	2.69	155
1983		Philadelphia Phillies	19–6	2.37	139
1982		Philadelphia Phillies	23–11	3.10	286
1981	* **	Los Angeles Dodgers	13–7	2.48	180
1980		Philadelphia Phillies	24–9	2.34	286
1979		Houston Astros	21–11	3.00	119
1978		San Francisco Giants	18–10	2.79	171
1977		Philadelphia Phillies	23–10	2.64	198
1976		San Diego Padres	22–14	2.74	93
1975		New York Mets	22–9	2.38	243
1974		Los Angeles Dodgers	15–12	2.42	143
1973		San Francisco Giants	24–12	3.53	143
1972		Philadelphia Phillies	27–10	1.97	310
1971		Chicago Cubs	24–13	2.77	263
1970		St. Louis Cardinals	23–7	3.12	274
1969		New York Mets	25–7	2.21	208
1968		St. Louis Cardinals	22–9	1.12	268
1967		San Francisco Giants	22–10	2.85	150
1966		Los Angeles Dodgers	27–9	1.73	317
1965	*	Los Angeles Dodgers	26–8	2.04	382
1964		Los Angeles Dodgers	19–5	1.74	223
1963	*	Los Angeles Dodgers	25–5	1.88	306
1962	*	Los Angeles Dodgers	25–9	2.83	232
1961		Milwaukee Braves	21–13	3.02	115
1960		Pittsburgh Pirates	20–9	3.08	120
1959		San Francisco Giants	21–15	2.83	209
1958		Milwaukee Braves	22–11	3.07	150
1957		Milwaukee Braves	21–11	2.69	111
1956		Brooklyn Dodgers	27–7	3.06	139
1955		Philadelphia Phillies	23–14	3.28	160
1954		New York Giants	21–7	2.30	152
1953		Milwaukee Braves	23–7	2.10	148
1952	*	Philadelphia Phillies	28–7	2.59	148
1951		Brooklyn Dodgers	22–3	2.93	146
1950		Philadelphia Phillies	16–7	2.66	56
1949		St. Louis Cardinals	20–9	2.77	108
1948		Boston Braves	24–15	2.60	137
1945		Chicago Cubs	11–2	2.12	47
1944		New York Giants	21–6	3.02	161

Players

Multiple Wins

Several players have won the Pitcher of the Year Award more than once.

Bob Lemon was the first player to win the award 3 times.
Warren Spahn was the first to win the award 4 times and won his last award at the age of 40 years.
Roger Clemens was the first to win the award 5 times.
Sandy Koufax and Greg Maddux have won the award 4 consecutive years.
Pedro Martínez, Roy Halladay, Vida Blue, Zack Greinke and Max Scherzer have won the award in the National League and American League.
Joe Niekro, Wilbur Wood and R.A. Dickey are knuckleball pitchers that have won the Pitcher of the Year Award.

first recipient and youngest player to win two awards.

Pitcher	# of Awards	Years
	5	1986, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001
	4	1972, 1977, 1980, 1982
	4	1963, 1964, 1965, 1966
	4	1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
	4	1953, 1957, 1958, 1961
	3	1955, 1961, 1963
	3	1948, 1950, 1954
	3	1997, 1999, 2000
	3	1973, 1975, 1976
	3	2011, 2013, 2014
	3	2013, 2014, 2017
	3	2013, 2016, 2017
	2	1968, 1970
	2	1991, 2000
	2	2003, 2010
	2	1944, 1945
	2	1952, 1953
	2	1969, 1975
	2	1971, 1978
	2	2005, 2006
	2	1987, 1994
	2	1968, 1969
	2	2008, 2009
	2	1956, 1957
	2	1985, 1989
	2	2004, 2006
	2	2001, 2002
	2	1984, 1987
	2	2014, 2015
	2	2018, 2019
	2	2009, 2015
	2	2010, 2014
	2	2016, 2017
	2	2011, 2012

MLB Triple Crown

Only four Pitcher of the Year Award winners have led the major leagues in wins, ERA and strikeouts which is commonly called Major League Pitching Triple Crown. Below is a complete list including individuals before the award was created.

Sandy Koufax is the only player to achieve it more than once. Koufax achieved it three times in a four-year period.
Hal Newhouser, age 24 and Dwight Gooden, age 20 were the youngest individuals.
Johan Santana, age 27, is the fourth individual.
Walter Johnson and Lefty Grove achieved it twice before the award began.

Year	Player	Team	League	ERA	W	K	Rating	Ref
		Washington Senators	AL	1.14*	36*	243*	12.71
		Philadelphia Phillies	NL	1.22*	31*	241*	12.62
		Washington Senators	AL	1.27*	23*	162*	10.00
		Brooklyn Robins	NL	2.16*	28*	262*	9.80
		Philadelphia Athletics	AL	2.54*	28*	209*	8.47
		Philadelphia Athletics	AL	2.06*	31*	175*	9.09
		Detroit Tigers	AL	1.81*	25*	212*	9.62
		Los Angeles Dodgers	NL	1.88*	25*	306*	10.41
		Los Angeles Dodgers	NL	2.04*	26*	382*	11.39
		Los Angeles Dodgers	NL	1.73*	27*	317*	11.15
		New York Mets	NL	1.53*	24*	268*	9.88
		Minnesota Twins	AL	2.77*	19*	245*	6.96

MLB Hall of Fame predictor

Winning three or more Starting Pitcher of the Year Awards has been seen as a guaranteed admission to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. All of the eligible pitchers with three or more awards have been elected to the Hall of Fame with one exception. Active players are not eligible for the Hall of Fame.
Roger Clemens has the most Pitcher of the Year Awards, is in the top ten for all-time wins and strikeouts, and is considered to be one of the best pitchers of all time. Clemens alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs is the major stumbling block to be elected to the Hall of Fame.
Starting Pitchers that have won three or more Pitcher of the Year Awards and the year they were inducted into Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Kershaw's and Scherzer statistics are through the 2019 season.

Pitcher	# of Awards	Years	HOF Year	Wins	ERA	Ks	References
	4	1972, 1977, 1980, 1982	1994	329	3.22	4,136
	4	1963, 1964, 1965, 1966	1972	165	2.76	2,396
	4	1993, 1994, 1995, 1996	2014	355	3.16	3,371
	4	1953, 1957, 1958, 1961	1973	363	3.09	2,583
	3	1955, 1961, 1963	1974	236	2.75	1,956
	3	1948, 1950, 1954	1976	207	3.23	1,277
	3	1997, 1999, 2000	2015	219	2.93	3,154
	3	1973, 1975, 1976	1990	268	2.86	2,212
	3	2011, 2013, 2014	Active-Not Eligible	169	2.44	2,464
	3	2013, 2016, 2017	Active-Not Eligible	170	3.20	2,692
	5	1986, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001	–	354	3.12	4,672

300 and 3000 club members

Ten pitchers have recorded 300 Wins and 3000 strikeouts. A list of these elite pitchers with the years they won the SN Pitcher of the Year Award is below. Only two pitchers, Walter Johnson and Tom Seaver have a career ERA below 3.00. Four pitchers have more than 4,000 career strikeouts. Walter Johnson has the most wins and lowest ERA. Nolan Ryan has the most strikeouts.

Pitcher	SN Pitcher of the Years	Wins	ERA	Ks	T	Ref
	1972, 1977, 1980, 1982	329	3.22	4,136	L
	1986, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001	354	3.12	4,672	R
	1995	303	3.29	4,875	L
	-	417	2.17	3,508	R
	1993, 1994, 1995, 1996	355	3.16	3,371	R
	-	318	3.35	3,342	R
	-	314	3.11	3,534	R
	1977	324	3.19	5,714	R
	1969, 1975	311	2.86	3,640	R
	-	324	3.26	3,574	R

Battle of Pitchers of the Year

It is a rare occurrence when reigning Pitcher of the Year winners face off against each other.

A pitching duel occurred on August 28, 1989, when Frank Viola of New York Mets pitched a complete game shutout defeating Orel Hershiser of the Dodgers 1–0.
On May 9, 2013 Toronto's R. A. Dickey pitched against David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays won in 10 innings 5–4, neither starting pitcher got a decision.
Arizona's Zach Greinke bested Houston's Dallas Keuchel on June 2, 2016.
The Lost Years

The award was suspended for 1946-1947. A list of the lost year's top two pitchers in each league based on a pitcher rating composed of wins, ERA and strikeouts is below. A pitcher rating of 6.0 is considered very good. A rating of 9.00 is rare. Bob Feller and Hal Newhouser in 1946 AL had a rating above 9.

Year	League	Pitcher	Team	Record	ERA	K	WHIP	Rating	Ref
1947	AL		Cleveland Indians	20-11	2.68	196	1.194	7.43
1947	AL		Philadelphia Athletics	19-9	3.22	128	1.334	5.65
1946	AL		Cleveland Indians	26-15	2.18	348	1.158	11.32
1946	AL		Detroit Tigers	26-9	1.94	275	1.069	9.83
1947	NL		Cincinnati Reds	22-8	2.47	193	1.179	7.59
1947	NL		Milwaukee Braves	21-10	2.33	123	1.136	7.20
1946	NL		St. Louis Cardinals	21-10	2.10	107	1.180	7.03
1946	NL		Milwaukee Braves	20-14	2.21	129	1.177	6.99

Organizations

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the only organization whose pitchers have won the Pitcher of the Year Award in 5 consecutive years: 1962–1966 and 2013-2017. Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers have won the award 17 times; Atlanta Braves pitchers have won the award 13 times. The following organizations have never had a pitcher win the award: Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Florida Marlins and Texas Rangers.
The Detroit Tigers have three pitchers who have won consecutive awards — Hal Newhouser, Denny McLain and Justin Verlander. Each was also Player of the Year and AL MVP at least once while being Pitcher of the Year.
The Atlanta Braves also have three pitchers who have won consecutive awards — Warren Spahn, Greg Maddux and Craig Kimbrel.

Team	# of Awards	Years
Los Angeles/Brooklyn Dodgers	17	1951, 1956, 1962–1966, 1974, 1981, 1988, 2003, 2011, 2013–2017
Atlanta/Milwaukee/Boston Braves	13	1948, 1953, 1957–1958, 1961, 1991, 1993–1996, 2000, 2013–2014
Boston Red Sox	9	1949, 1967, 1986, 1991, 1999, 2000, 2017, 2018
Cleveland Indians	9	1948, 1950–1951, 1954, 1962, 1970, 2007–2008, 2016
Detroit Tigers	9	1944–1945, 1968–1969, 1981, 1984, 2011–2013
New York Yankees	9	1955, 1958, 1961, 1963, 1978, 1994, 2001, 2014–2015
Philadelphia Phillies	9	1950, 1952, 1955, 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982–1983, 2010
San Francisco/New York Giants	9	1944, 1954, 1959, 1967, 1973, 1978, 2004, 2008–2009
Baltimore Orioles	7	1960, 1973, 1975–1976, 1979–1980, 2016
Oakland/Philadelphia Athletics	7	1952, 1971, 1974, 1990, 1992, 2002, 2019
Chicago White Sox	6	1956–1957, 1959, 1972, 1983, 1993
Minnesota Twins/Washington Senators	6	1953, 1965–1966, 1988, 2004, 2006
New York Mets	6	1969, 1975, 1985, 2012, 2018, 2019
Toronto Blue Jays	6	1982, 1987, 1996–1998, 2003
Chicago Cubs	5	1945, 1971, 1984, 1987, 1992
Houston Astros	5	1979, 1986, 1999, 2015, 2019
San Diego Padres	5	1976, 1989, 1998, 2007, 2019
St. Louis Cardinals	5	1949, 1968, 1970, 2005–2006
Kansas City Royals	4	1985, 1989, 2009, 2013
Seattle Mariners	4	1995, 2010, 2014, 2018
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	3	1964, 1977, 2005
Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos	3	1997, 2016, 2017
Pittsburgh Pirates	3	1960, 1990, 2015
Arizona Diamondbacks	2	2001–2002
Milwaukee Brewers	1	2018
Tampa Bay Rays	1	2012
Cincinnati Reds	0	none
Colorado Rockies	0	none
Miami/Florida Marlins	0	none
Texas Rangers	0	none

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