1899 Cy Young Award

1899 National League - Vic Willis, Boston Beaneaters

27-8, 2.50 ERA, 120 K

This wasn't too hard to decide; although there were other pitchers who pitched nearly as well as Willis in 1899, he stands out as the best.  Cy Young in particular had an impressive season, but he seemed to fall right behind Willis in just about every major statistic.  Willis led the league in ERA and ERA+ (167, to Young's 2nd place 154), shutouts (5), hits per 9 innings (7.275), and WAR (8.9).  He also finished third in wins, third in WHIP (with Young finishing first), third in winning percentage (.771), and tied for fourth in strikeouts.  In addition, he pitched a no-hitter on August 7 against the Washington Senators, the last no-hitter of the 19th century.  Willis played alongside fellow Hall of Famer and 3-time retroactive Cy Young Award winner Kid Nichols, but Nichols was only somewhat effective, with a 21-19 record, and the Beaneaters finished 8 games behind Brooklyn in the pennant race.