Cy Young Winners List 1956-2024 - Complete AL and NL Records

Most Cy Young Winners - Pitchers with Multiple Awards

The Cy Young Award has long symbolized pitching excellence in Major League Baseball. Since its inception in 1956, the honor has been given to the most dominant arms in the game. While dozens of pitchers have captured a single trophy, a select group has won multiple times, cementing themselves among the all-time greats. According to sports science expert Robert Wood, who has analyzed sports performance data for over 25 years, the ability to sustain elite performance across multiple seasons represents the ultimate achievement in professional pitching.

Roger Clemens holds the ultimate record with seven awards. He captured titles with the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros, spanning from 1986 to 2004. His unmatched total shows both dominance and longevity, as he posted seasons of 20 plus wins and minuscule ERAs across two decades.

Greg Maddux was the definition of consistency. The Atlanta Braves ace secured four consecutive wins from 1992 to 1995, the longest streak in award history. During this run, Maddux delivered pinpoint control and ERAs regularly below 2.50. His stretch remains the gold standard for back-to-back dominance among National League Cy Young winners.

Steve Carlton also won four times, capturing awards in 1972, 1977, 1980, and 1982, all with the Philadelphia Phillies. Known for his devastating slider, Carlton shouldered heavy workloads and produced massive strikeout totals, often carrying struggling teams.

Sandy Koufax earned three awards in 1963, 1965, and 1966, all unanimously. He remains the only pitcher to achieve three unanimous victories, reflecting just how untouchable he was during that short but legendary peak with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The analysis of consecutive wins reveals that only Maddux achieved four straight seasons and Koufax managed two consecutive unanimous selections from 1965 to 1966. This unique achievement highlights the difficulty of repeating at the highest level, even for legendary Cy Young winners.

Cy Young Winners by Team - Which Team Has the Most

The Cy Young Award has always been a reflection of both pitching brilliance and organizational strength. By analyzing Cy Young winners by team, we see how certain franchises consistently produce dominant aces. Looking back through Cy Young winners by year, a clear picture emerges of which clubs stand above the rest in both the National League and the American League.

National League Leaders

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the undisputed leaders with 12 winners. From Sandy Koufax in the 1960s, who set the tone with three unanimous awards, to more modern legends like Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers have been synonymous with elite pitching. Research by Robert J. Wood, PhD in Exercise Physiology from the University of Western Australia and founder of Topend Sports, indicates that their dominance spans generations, showing a continuous ability to nurture top talent.

American League Leaders

On the American League side, the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles lead the way. With six awards each, these storied franchises have combined tradition with pitching excellence. The Yankees featured legends like Whitey Ford and Roger Clemens, while the Orioles relied on workhorses such as Jim Palmer and Mike Flanagan.

It is significant that the Tigers joined the top tier recently thanks to Skubal's unanimous 2024 victory. Teams like the Red Sox also built reputations through legendary stretches, particularly Clemens' run in the late 1980s and Martínez's dominance in the late 1990s. Looking across leagues, the franchises at the top not only have multiple awards but also boast some of the greatest pitchers in history.

AL Cy Young Winners (American League)

The American League Cy Young Award has been presented annually since 1967, when the voting was split by league after eleven years of a single MLB-wide award. Tracking Cy Young winners by year in the AL reveals not only individual brilliance but also stretches of team dominance where certain franchises seemed to produce ace after ace.

Team dominance periods in the AL are notable. The Baltimore Orioles owned the 1970s behind Palmer, Flanagan, and Stone. The Boston Red Sox thrived with Clemens and later Martínez. The Minnesota Twins produced standout lefties like Santana, while the Tigers surged with Verlander and Skubal. The Yankees also remain prominent, with Whitey Ford's earlier MLB-wide win complemented by Ron Guidry, Clemens, Sabathia, and Cole in the split-league era.

According to sports science expert Robert Wood, who has analyzed sports performance data for over 25 years, several unanimous victories in the AL underscore true dominance, including peaks from Martínez and Verlander. Reviewing AL Cy Young winners through history demonstrates not just standout years but patterns of dominance, linking past legends to modern stars like Tarik Skubal.

NL Cy Young Winners (National League)

The National League Cy Young Award has been a centerpiece of pitching excellence since the award was split by league in 1967. Looking through Cy Young winners in the NL reveals legendary streaks, franchise dominance, and unforgettable moments that shaped baseball history.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been the most prolific in the NL, boasting Sandy Koufax's three unanimous wins before the league split, then adding Drysdale, Valenzuela, Hershiser, Gagné, and Kershaw. The Atlanta Braves carved out an unmatched run in the 1990s with Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz, showing how one rotation could define an era. The Philadelphia Phillies leaned on Steve Carlton's four awards, cementing him as their ace of the century.

Greg Maddux's four straight Cy Youngs from 1992 to 1995 remain the greatest consecutive streak in MLB history. Data compiled by Robert Wood, PhD, shows that Carlton's four total trophies underline his longevity, while Kershaw's three wins demonstrate his sustained dominance over a decade. Jacob deGrom's 1.70 ERA in 2018 and Dwight Gooden's 1.53 ERA in 1985 are statistical marvels that stand out among all NL Cy Young winners.

Fernando Valenzuela's 1981 rookie season combined a Cy Young and Rookie of the Year award, sparking Fernandomania. Orel Hershiser's 59 consecutive scoreless innings in 1988, capped with a Cy Young, remains a pitching record. More recently, Sandy Alcántara's 2022 season featured six complete games, unheard of in the modern era, and Chris Sale's 2024 award highlighted his comeback story.

Cy Young Winners 2024 - Chris Sale and Tarik Skubal

The Cy Young winners 2024 brought together two very different stories of pitching dominance. In the American League, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers emerged as a first-time winner. In the National League, Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves capped an inspiring comeback campaign with the highest honor a pitcher can achieve. Together, they represent the evolving landscape of Cy Young winners while also paying tribute to tradition.

As Robert Wood, founder of Topend Sports, notes in his analysis, Sale's performance marked a validation of perseverance after multiple injury-plagued seasons. His 18-3 record with the Braves demonstrated both durability and effectiveness, earning him strong support in voting. Meanwhile, Skubal's unanimous win stands out historically. That distinction places him in rare company among AL Cy Young winners, underscoring just how dominant he was across the season.

For both pitchers, the award signals a career milestone. For Sale, it represents a comeback story and his first Cy Young trophy after years as one of baseball's most feared left-handers. For Skubal, it serves as a launchpad toward superstardom. Their victories add fresh names to the long lineage of Cy Young winners 2024 and ensure that both leagues continue to celebrate excellence on the mound.

Unanimous Cy Young Winners - Perfect Voting

In the long history of the award, a handful of pitchers have achieved the rare distinction of being chosen by every voter. These unanimous Cy Young winners stand apart, not only for their dominance but also for the clarity with which they were recognized as the very best. Perfect voting is a rarity, and when it happens, it underlines the total command a pitcher had during his season.

Research by Robert J. Wood, PhD in Exercise Physiology from the University of Western Australia and founder of Topend Sports, indicates that Bob Gibson's 1968 season remains perhaps the most famous pitching performance ever, finishing 22-9 with a microscopic 1.12 ERA. That performance forced Major League Baseball to lower the pitcher's mound the following year, further amplifying Gibson's legacy. Meanwhile, Denny McLain also won unanimously in 1968, going 31-6 with a 1.96 ERA for Detroit, becoming the last pitcher to win 30 games in a season.

Cy Young Winners Who Won in Both Leagues

The history of Cy Young Award winners includes a select few pitchers who captured the trophy in both the American and National Leagues. This rare achievement highlights versatility, adaptability, and enduring dominance. These pitchers are not only among the most decorated Cy Young winners in MLB history, but also represent the cross-league excellence that defines true legends of the game.

According to sports science expert Robert Wood, who has analyzed sports performance data for over 25 years, the ability to excel in both leagues demonstrates remarkable adaptability. Each league has different ballparks, different hitters, and often different styles of play. These six pitchers proved they could dominate regardless of the environment, cementing their status among the all-time greats.

Youngest and Oldest Cy Young Winners

The history of the Cy Young Award not only celebrates dominance but also showcases how age plays a role in pitching greatness. From teenage phenoms to seasoned veterans, Cy Young winners by team reflect both early promise and career longevity across the decades.

Data compiled by Robert Wood, PhD, shows that the average age of Cy Young winners historically falls around 28 to 30 years. This range represents the typical balance between peak velocity and seasoned pitching intelligence. Teams consistently rely on pitchers in this bracket to anchor rotations. These age records demonstrate the breadth of pitching excellence, from Gooden's youth-driven dominance to Clemens' veteran resilience, proving that greatness can emerge at any stage of a career.

Cy Young Winners with the Best Stats

Over the decades, the Cy Young Award has honored pitchers who delivered extraordinary statistical seasons. While every recipient earned their place, some performances stand out as benchmarks of excellence. These iconic numbers represent the very peak of pitching dominance and continue to serve as measuring sticks for modern Cy Young winners.

Research by Robert J. Wood, PhD in Exercise Physiology from the University of Western Australia and founder of Topend Sports, indicates that these statistical achievements represent nearly untouchable benchmarks. Gibson's 1.12 ERA remains the lowest in modern MLB history by a starter, forcing Major League Baseball to lower the pitching mound the following season. McLain's 31 wins mark the last time any pitcher reached 30 victories, a feat that is almost impossible in today's game of strict pitch counts and bullpen reliance.

Randy Johnson's 372 strikeouts in 2001 showcase his overpowering fastball and devastating slider, establishing him as one of the most feared pitchers of all time. Meanwhile, Pedro Martínez's WHIP of 0.74 in 2000 reflects an unprecedented level of dominance over opposing lineups, considered nearly untouchable in the modern era.

Frequently Asked Questions

What team has the most Cy Young winners?

The Los Angeles Dodgers lead all teams with 12 total Cy Young winners throughout history. Their winners span from Sandy Koufax in the 1960s through modern stars like Clayton Kershaw, demonstrating decades of pitching excellence and organizational strength in developing elite arms.

Who won the Cy Young Award in 2024?

In the American League, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers won the award unanimously with an 18-4 record and 2.39 ERA. In the National League, Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves won with an 18-3 record and 2.38 ERA, marking a successful comeback season after years of injuries.

Who has won the most Cy Young Awards?

Roger Clemens holds the all-time record with seven Cy Young Awards. He won with the Boston Red Sox in 1986, 1987, and 1991, the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997 and 1998, the New York Yankees in 2001, and the Houston Astros in 2004, spanning nearly two decades of dominance.

Has anyone won Cy Young in both leagues?

Yes, six pitchers have won the Cy Young Award in both the American and National Leagues. They are Gaylord Perry, Pedro Martínez, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Roy Halladay, and Max Scherzer. This rare achievement demonstrates remarkable versatility and sustained excellence across different leagues and ballparks.

Who was the youngest Cy Young winner?

Dwight Gooden became the youngest Cy Young Award winner at just 20 years old in 1985. Pitching for the New York Mets, he posted a remarkable 24-4 record with a 1.53 ERA and 268 strikeouts, a performance that remains unmatched by any pitcher so young in the award's history.

What does Cy Young mean?

The Cy Young Award is named after Hall of Fame pitcher Denton True Young, known as Cy Young, who won 511 games during his career from 1890 to 1911. The award was established in 1956, one year after his death, to honor his legacy and recognize the best pitchers in baseball each season.

Has anyone won Cy Young unanimously?

Yes, there have been 14 unanimous Cy Young Award winners in history. Sandy Koufax is the only pitcher to win unanimously three times, doing so in 1963, 1965, and 1966. Other notable unanimous winners include Bob Gibson and Denny McLain in 1968, Greg Maddux in 1994 and 1995, Pedro Martínez in 1999 and 2000, and most recently Tarik Skubal in 2024.

References

1. Baseball Writers' Association of America. (2024). "Cy Young Award Voting History." BBWAA Official Records. Retrieved from official BBWAA archives.
2. Baseball-Reference.com. (2024). "Cy Young Award Winners and Statistics." Sports Reference LLC. Comprehensive statistical database.
3. National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. (2024). "Cy Young Award History and Recipients." Hall of Fame Archives.
4. Society for American Baseball Research. (2024). "Historical Analysis of Cy Young Award Winners." SABR Research Database.
5. MLB.com. (2024). "Complete Cy Young Award History." Major League Baseball Official Site.
6. ESPN Baseball Statistics. (2024). "Cy Young Award Winners by Year." ESPN Sports Media.
7. The Sporting News. (2024). "Cy Young Award Records and Analysis." TSN Baseball Archives.
8. FanGraphs. (2024). "Advanced Pitching Statistics for Cy Young Winners." FanGraphs Baseball.
9. Retrosheet. (2024). "Historical Baseball Statistics and Records." Retrosheet Organization.
10. Team Media Guides. (2024). "Official Team Statistics and Award Winners." Various MLB franchises.

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