Mike Marshall’s 1974 season stands as a hallmark in Major League Baseball history, a testament to the oft-overlooked dominance relievers can have on the mound. Marshall not only etched his name into the record books but also shattered the conventional norms of pitching roles by winning the National League Cy Young Award, an honor almost exclusively reserved for starters. His staggering 200 innings of relief work that season remains a feat unmatched and unlikely to be equaled. It served as a groundbreaking moment, proving that relievers could transcend their traditional limitations and make a significant mark in baseball's most prestigious awards.
Indeed, Marshall's precedent paved the way for several other relievers who followed suit. Just three years later, in 1977, Sparky Lyle captured the American League Cy Young Award, further solidifying the notion that a reliever's impact could be as profound as that of a starter. The trend continued with Bruce Sutter, who claimed the NL Cy Young in 1979 and emerged as one of the era's most formidable closers.
Resilience and Dominance: The Dual Award Winners
Rollie Fingers and Willie Hernandez redefined dominance in the bullpen during the early 80s, each earning both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards. In 1981, Fingers' remarkable season saw him achieve this dual accolade with 78 innings pitched. Hernandez followed suit in 1984 with a 1.92 ERA over 140 1/3 innings, showcasing the dual-threat capabilities of elite relievers. These accomplishments highlighted that effective relief pitching could be pivotal enough to merit the highest individual honors in the sport.
The Continuing Legacy
The lineage of impactful relievers carried on into the late 80s with Steve Bedrosian and Mark Davis dominating the mound. Bedrosian clinched the NL Cy Young Award in 1987, converting 40 saves out of 48 chances and pitching 89 innings. Davis continued this tradition in 1989 with 44 saves in 48 opportunities over 92 2/3 innings, asserting the critical role relievers played in the success of their teams.
The early 90s saw Dennis Eckersley further cement the legacy of relievers with a remarkable 1992 season, earning both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards through 80 innings of stellar relief work. This period marked the crescendo of the reliever's influence in the Cy Young race, a trend that saw its last significant highlight with Eric Gagne's 2003 Cy Young win. Gagne remains the only reliever post-Eckersley to have secured this prestigious award, showcasing the gradual shift back towards a starter-dominated Cy Young landscape.
The Modern Game
In today's era, the bullpen continues to be bolstered by standout performers like Craig Kimbrel, who has been a stalwart since being drafted as a reliever. Notably, Kimbrel’s transition into a relief role has been a consistent element of his career, with him not starting any games in the minors until a rehab stint in 2016. This level of specialization underscores the evolving strategies within the sport.
Aroldis Chapman, another modern-day relief specialist, made his transition to the bullpen in 2010. Emmanuel Clase, following these footsteps, delivered an astounding 2021 season, saving 38 games in 41 chances while sporting a minuscule 0.59 ERA and 0.67 WHIP. Clase's 53 strikeouts compared to only seven unintentional walks over 61 1/3 innings speak volumes about his precision and dominance on the mound.
The Statistical Hierarchy
Despite Clase's incredible metrics, the statistical hierarchy in AL pitcher WAR still places several starters ahead of him. Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans all rank higher, reflecting the broader metrics by which pitcher value is often assessed. Fedde’s transition to the National League and Skubal’s cautious approach through September are notable narratives within this context. Additionally, Anderson's 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP, along with Ragans' continued strong performances despite recent injuries, further illustrate the nuanced assessment of pitching performance across roles.
These historical and contemporary accounts highlight the enduring and evolving impact of relievers in Major League Baseball. From the trailblazing achievements of Mike Marshall to the precision of modern bullpen aces like Emmanuel Clase, the significance of relief pitching remains an integral and dynamic aspect of the game.