1920 Cy Young Awards

1920 American League - Stan Coveleski, Cleveland Indians

24-14, 2.49 ERA, 133 K

This year marked the end of the Dead-ball era in baseball, and for the first time in the history of the American League, the league leader had an ERA over 2.00.  Coveleski finished second in both ERA and wins, first in strikeouts, and first in WHIP (1.108) and hits per 9 innings (8.1).  It was a mediocre season by pre-1920 standards, but in 1920 it was the best; his ERA of 2.49 gave him an ERA+ of 154; a few years earlier the same ERA would've barely been better than the league average.  along the way, Coveleski led the Indians to the World Series, winning the pennant over a White Sox team that imploded after the players suspected of throwing the 1919 World Series were suspended.  Coveleski's Indians had to overcome problems of their own though, with star shortstop Ray Chapman getting killed by a pitch on August 17.  However, Chapman's replacement, Joe Sewell, would go on to have a successful career of his own, and both Sewell and Coveleski would end up in the Hall of Fame.

1920 National League - Grover Cleveland Alexander, Chicago Cubs

27-14, 1.91 ERA, 173 K

The end of the Dead-ball era didn't seem to affect Grover Cleveland Alexander, who was returning to form after spending most of his 1918 season in the army fighting World War I.  Along with winning the Triple Crown for the third time,  he also led the league in innings (363.1), starts (40), complete games (33), ERA+ (168), and WAR (10).  It was the fourth time that he would be the best pitcher in the league, but it was also his last great season.  He would pitch until 1930, winning 373 games to put himself in a tie with Christy Mathewson for third all-time.  However, he was never again able to duplicate his prewar success; despite nine more seasons with an ERA above the league average, he never again led the league in any major categories.