1953 American League - Billy Pierce, Chicago White Sox
18-12, 2.72 ERA, 186 K
Billy Pierce didn't lead the league in any major statistical category in 1953 other than strikeouts, but he finished close to the top in most of the others, including fifth in wins and second in ERA. He was also second in ERA+, at 159, second in shutouts (7), and third in innings pitched (271.1). It was one of the better years in Pierce's career, and he made his first of seven All Star appearances. Overall, he had a decent career, winning over 200 games, but usually he was the kind of pitcher who was consistently one of the best in the league, but rarely the best. However, 1953 was an exception to that.
1953 National League - Warren Spahn, Milwaukee Braves
23-7, 2.10 ERA, 148 K
The previous year's winner, Robin Roberts, had another great season in 1953, tying with Spahn for the league lead in wins, leading the league in strikeouts, and finishing second to Spahn in ERA. Along the way, Roberts pitched 346.2 innings, 81 more than runner-up Spahn. Normally in cases like this I would defer to the player with more innings pitched, but Spahn's ERA of 2.10 was so much lower than Roberts's 2.75 second place finish, so I had to give it to Spahn. The MVP voters of the day agreed with me too, and Spahn finished fifth overall and first among pitchers, barely beating out Roberts, who finished sixth. For Spahn and the rest of the Braves, it was their first season in Milwaukee after leaving Boston, and the team responded by improving from a 7th place 64-89 record in 1952 to a second place 92-62 record the next season.
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