1897 Cy Young Award

1897 National League - Kid Nichols, Boston Beaneaters

31-11, 2.64 ERA, 127 K

The future Hall of Fame pitcher Kid Nichols had already won two retroactive Cy Young Awards and was in strong contention for a third, but 1897 was probably his finest season so far.  Both he and Amos Rusie put up great numbers in 1897, but Nichols was somewhat better.  He led the league in wins and finished second in ERA to Rusie, although when adjusted for ERA+ he actually comes out on top, 170 to 163.  He also led the league in innings pitched (368), WHIP(1.168), WAR (10.0), and, for what it's worth, his 3 saves were enough to lead the league as well.  For Nichols, it was his 6th 30+ win season in the past 7 years, and he would go on to win another 31 games in 1898.  He reached his 300th career win at the age of 30, the youngest pitcher ever to do so, and he retired in 1906 with 361 wins, good for 7th all-time.