1955 American League - Billy Pierce, Chicago White Sox
15-10, 1.97 ERA, 157 K
The American League in 1955 was not exactly a pitcher-friendly place to be. The league leader in wins had just 18, the league average ERA was 3.96, and only one pitcher finished in the top 13 for MVP voting, and it wasn't Billy Pierce. In fact, Pierce's 15-10 record doesn't exactly scream Cy Young Award winner, nor does his third place 157 strikeouts. However, what really stands out, and what makes him the best candidate for a retroactive Cy Young Award, was his 1.97 ERA. No pitcher in either league had finished a season with a lower ERA since Hal Newhouser in 1946, and nobody else would do it again until Sandy Koufax in 1963. It's unfortunate for Pierce that his two best seasons, 1953 and 1955, both happened just before the Cy Young Award started in 1956; otherwise, he could've easily won the award in both of those years.
1955 National League - Robin Roberts, Philadelphia Phillies
23-14, 3.28 ERA, 160 K
This was a close call between Robin Roberts and Don Newcombe, but I decided to give it to Roberts because he and Newcombe had very similar numbers in rate stats like ERA, and WHIP, but Roberts pitched 71.1 more innings. As I've said before, if there is a pitcher with a slightly higher ERA but far more innings pitched, I am more likely to choose him over the other pitcher. Roberts also led the league in wins, and finished fifth in ERA and second in WHIP (1.131). He also led the league in complete games with 26, 9 more than anyone else, although surprisingly only one of those was a shutout. It was the last truly great season for Roberts, who eventually won 286 games in a Hall of Fame career. Unfortunately for him, his last great season was also the last season before the Cy Young Award began, so he never had the opportunity to receive formal recognition for being the best pitcher in the league.
Showing posts with label White Sox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label White Sox. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
1953 Cy Young Awards
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.
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.
Friday, June 8, 2012
1941 Cy Young Awards
1941 American League - Thornton Lee, Chicago White Sox
22-11, 2.37 ERA, 130 K
After 23 consecutive seasons of future Hall of Famers winning the American League retroactive Cy Young Award, Thornton Lee becomes the first non-Hall of Fame AL pitcher since fellow White Sox Eddie Cicotte received it in 1917. He had a fairly nondescript career as a good but unspectacular starter, but in 1941 he was the best pitcher in the league, even better than the winner the previous two seasons, Bob Feller. Feller had a good season, and was actually ranked third in MVP voting ahead of Lee's fourth place finish, but in my opinion Lee was the better pitcher. He led the AL in ERA (by 0.6 runs), complete games (30), ERA+ (174), and WHIP (1.165), and although his White Sox went absolutely nowhere in 1941, he was still the most effective pitcher in the league. He never came close to having as successful as a season in any other year though; he never won more than 15 games in a season other than in 1941, and although he pitched seven more seasons, he only once again pitched more than 127 innings in a season, and retired with a 117-124 record.
1941 National League - Whit Wyatt, Brooklyn Dodgers
22-10, 2.34 ERA, 176 K
This was a close call between Wyatt and Cincinnati's Elmer Riddle, but in the end I chose Wyatt, and so did the MVP voters in 1941, who ranked him third overall and first among pitchers. Wyatt's career was interesting in that he pitched better in his 30s than in his 20s. He was a below average pitcher for the first nine seasons of his career, posting a 26-43 record with a 5.22 ERA and an 88 ERA+ mostly as a relief pitcher. However, after spending the entire 1938 season in the minors, he re-emerged as a top-notch starter for the Dodgers, going 80-52 in his last seven seasons with a 2.97 ERA and 124 ERA+, and being selected as an All Star in each of his first four seasons upon his return to the majors. This was by far his best season though, when he led the Dodgers to the NL pennant while leading the league in wins, shutouts (7) and WHIP (1.058) and finishing second in both ERA and strikeouts. After 1941, he went on to pitch two more full seasons and finished his career in 1945 with a 106-95 record.
22-11, 2.37 ERA, 130 K
After 23 consecutive seasons of future Hall of Famers winning the American League retroactive Cy Young Award, Thornton Lee becomes the first non-Hall of Fame AL pitcher since fellow White Sox Eddie Cicotte received it in 1917. He had a fairly nondescript career as a good but unspectacular starter, but in 1941 he was the best pitcher in the league, even better than the winner the previous two seasons, Bob Feller. Feller had a good season, and was actually ranked third in MVP voting ahead of Lee's fourth place finish, but in my opinion Lee was the better pitcher. He led the AL in ERA (by 0.6 runs), complete games (30), ERA+ (174), and WHIP (1.165), and although his White Sox went absolutely nowhere in 1941, he was still the most effective pitcher in the league. He never came close to having as successful as a season in any other year though; he never won more than 15 games in a season other than in 1941, and although he pitched seven more seasons, he only once again pitched more than 127 innings in a season, and retired with a 117-124 record.
1941 National League - Whit Wyatt, Brooklyn Dodgers
22-10, 2.34 ERA, 176 K
This was a close call between Wyatt and Cincinnati's Elmer Riddle, but in the end I chose Wyatt, and so did the MVP voters in 1941, who ranked him third overall and first among pitchers. Wyatt's career was interesting in that he pitched better in his 30s than in his 20s. He was a below average pitcher for the first nine seasons of his career, posting a 26-43 record with a 5.22 ERA and an 88 ERA+ mostly as a relief pitcher. However, after spending the entire 1938 season in the minors, he re-emerged as a top-notch starter for the Dodgers, going 80-52 in his last seven seasons with a 2.97 ERA and 124 ERA+, and being selected as an All Star in each of his first four seasons upon his return to the majors. This was by far his best season though, when he led the Dodgers to the NL pennant while leading the league in wins, shutouts (7) and WHIP (1.058) and finishing second in both ERA and strikeouts. After 1941, he went on to pitch two more full seasons and finished his career in 1945 with a 106-95 record.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
1922 Cy Young Awards
1922 American League - Red Faber, Chicago White Sox
21-17, 2.81 ERA, 148 K
Who would've imagined a time when the two best pitchers in the league would both be named Urban? Faber (whose real first name was Urban) and St. Louis's amusingly-named Urban Shocker were the top two, with Faber getting a slight edge over the other Urban (to think he was only the second best pitcher in the league named Urban) because of his lower ERA. In any case, it was the second year in a row that Faber led the league in ERA, although like I mentioned before, part of that had to do with the fact that he was allowed to throw the spitball. One might argue that because of that, the other Urban should win the award instead, but he was grandfathered in as well, making it a moot point. It's possible that it was an Urban thing to be allowed to throw the spitball, but Cleveland had an infielder later in the decade named Urban Hodapp, and by all accounts he was not permitted to throw the spitball, not that he would've tried. And who knows, maybe if he had tried, they would've given him a pass because of his name. But anyway, moving on from the topic of unusual first names, Faber finished first in WHIP (1.185), complete games (31), innings (352), and WAR(7.9), and second in strikeouts (one behind league-leading Urban Shocker), and shutouts (4). He only finished fifth in wins, and had a mediocre 21-17 record, but much of that had to do with the fact that, following the Black Sox scandal, the White Sox quickly collapsed, and in 1922 finished fifth with a 77-77 record, and had the third lowest OPS in the league, as opposed to Urban Shocker's second place Browns, who led the league in OPS.
1922 National League - Wilbur Cooper, Pittsburgh Pirates
23-14, 3.18 ERA, 129 K
It was a pretty mediocre year in the NL for pitching - there was nobody who was particularly dominating, and the pitcher I chose as the best didn't lead the league in any category except WAR (6.0) complete games (27). However, he was overall ranked higher in more statistics than anyone else; he finished second in wins, fourth in ERA, and second in strikeouts, and he was the only person to finish in the top 4 in all of those categories. He also had the second most innings pitched (294.2) and the third most shutouts (4), although he finished a distant tenth in WHIP (1.327). However, although he gave up more walks and hits than other pitchers, he was better at not letting them score than most of the rest; he had the fourth highest ERA+ at 129. Such an ERA+ certainly doesn't indicate a particularly dominating season, but none of the three pitchers ahead of him came close to pitching as many innings; none of them even topped 200.
21-17, 2.81 ERA, 148 K
Who would've imagined a time when the two best pitchers in the league would both be named Urban? Faber (whose real first name was Urban) and St. Louis's amusingly-named Urban Shocker were the top two, with Faber getting a slight edge over the other Urban (to think he was only the second best pitcher in the league named Urban) because of his lower ERA. In any case, it was the second year in a row that Faber led the league in ERA, although like I mentioned before, part of that had to do with the fact that he was allowed to throw the spitball. One might argue that because of that, the other Urban should win the award instead, but he was grandfathered in as well, making it a moot point. It's possible that it was an Urban thing to be allowed to throw the spitball, but Cleveland had an infielder later in the decade named Urban Hodapp, and by all accounts he was not permitted to throw the spitball, not that he would've tried. And who knows, maybe if he had tried, they would've given him a pass because of his name. But anyway, moving on from the topic of unusual first names, Faber finished first in WHIP (1.185), complete games (31), innings (352), and WAR(7.9), and second in strikeouts (one behind league-leading Urban Shocker), and shutouts (4). He only finished fifth in wins, and had a mediocre 21-17 record, but much of that had to do with the fact that, following the Black Sox scandal, the White Sox quickly collapsed, and in 1922 finished fifth with a 77-77 record, and had the third lowest OPS in the league, as opposed to Urban Shocker's second place Browns, who led the league in OPS.
1922 National League - Wilbur Cooper, Pittsburgh Pirates
23-14, 3.18 ERA, 129 K
It was a pretty mediocre year in the NL for pitching - there was nobody who was particularly dominating, and the pitcher I chose as the best didn't lead the league in any category except WAR (6.0) complete games (27). However, he was overall ranked higher in more statistics than anyone else; he finished second in wins, fourth in ERA, and second in strikeouts, and he was the only person to finish in the top 4 in all of those categories. He also had the second most innings pitched (294.2) and the third most shutouts (4), although he finished a distant tenth in WHIP (1.327). However, although he gave up more walks and hits than other pitchers, he was better at not letting them score than most of the rest; he had the fourth highest ERA+ at 129. Such an ERA+ certainly doesn't indicate a particularly dominating season, but none of the three pitchers ahead of him came close to pitching as many innings; none of them even topped 200.
1921 Cy Young Awards
1921 American League - Red Faber, Chicago White Sox
25-15, 2.48 ERA, 124 K
Pitchers' ERA's increased dramatically in 1920 because of the end of the Dead ball era, and they continued to rise in 1921. The league average ERA was 4.28, up from 2.77 just three years earlier. By way of comparison, the 2011 AL ERA was 4.08. Even with today's emphasis on power hitters and the use of the designated hitter, it's still not as bad for pitchers as it was back then. That make's Red Faber's 2.48 ERA (and 170 ERA+) even that much more significant; not only was it 1.80 runs lower than the league average, it was 0.52 runs lower than anyone else. No other AL pitcher finished the season with an ERA under 3.00. He was also third in wins, fourth in strikeouts, and led the league with a 1.149 WHIP, 7.975 hits per 9 innings, and a 9.9 WAR. Interestingly, one of the reasons for the sudden jump in offense was the banning of the spitball after the 1920 season. However, 17 pitchers, including Faber, were allowed to continue throwing it if it was considered to be their primary pitch, which helped him have such an advantage over other pitchers in the league. He was a member of the 1919 White Sox, but he did not participate in the fix to throw it, and played until 1933. He was elected to the hall of Fame in 1964.
1921 National League - Burleigh Grimes, Brooklyn Robins
22-13, 2.83 ERA, 136 K
There were no pitchers who had particular standout seasons in the National League in 1921, but Burleigh Grimes was the best overall; he won two thirds of the Triple Crown (finishing fifth in ERA) and leading the league in complete games (30) and WAR (6.1). Like Red Faber in the American League, Grimes owes some of his success to the fact that he was among those allowed to continue throwing the spitball. Also a Hall of Famer, Grimes was, of the 17 spitball pitchers grandfathered in, the last one to retire, in 1934. And nobody has thrown the spitball since. Just ask Gaylord Perry.
25-15, 2.48 ERA, 124 K
Pitchers' ERA's increased dramatically in 1920 because of the end of the Dead ball era, and they continued to rise in 1921. The league average ERA was 4.28, up from 2.77 just three years earlier. By way of comparison, the 2011 AL ERA was 4.08. Even with today's emphasis on power hitters and the use of the designated hitter, it's still not as bad for pitchers as it was back then. That make's Red Faber's 2.48 ERA (and 170 ERA+) even that much more significant; not only was it 1.80 runs lower than the league average, it was 0.52 runs lower than anyone else. No other AL pitcher finished the season with an ERA under 3.00. He was also third in wins, fourth in strikeouts, and led the league with a 1.149 WHIP, 7.975 hits per 9 innings, and a 9.9 WAR. Interestingly, one of the reasons for the sudden jump in offense was the banning of the spitball after the 1920 season. However, 17 pitchers, including Faber, were allowed to continue throwing it if it was considered to be their primary pitch, which helped him have such an advantage over other pitchers in the league. He was a member of the 1919 White Sox, but he did not participate in the fix to throw it, and played until 1933. He was elected to the hall of Fame in 1964.
1921 National League - Burleigh Grimes, Brooklyn Robins
22-13, 2.83 ERA, 136 K
There were no pitchers who had particular standout seasons in the National League in 1921, but Burleigh Grimes was the best overall; he won two thirds of the Triple Crown (finishing fifth in ERA) and leading the league in complete games (30) and WAR (6.1). Like Red Faber in the American League, Grimes owes some of his success to the fact that he was among those allowed to continue throwing the spitball. Also a Hall of Famer, Grimes was, of the 17 spitball pitchers grandfathered in, the last one to retire, in 1934. And nobody has thrown the spitball since. Just ask Gaylord Perry.
Monday, March 12, 2012
1917 Cy Young Awards
1917 American League - Eddie Cicotte, Chicago White Sox
28-12, 1.53 ERA, 150 K
Cicotte very nearly won the Triple Crown in 1917 (he finished first in wins and ERA but second in strikeouts), led the White Sox to their last World Series win until 2005, and is generally credited with inventing the knuckleball, but he will always be best known as one of the eight conspirators banned from baseball for throwing the 1919 World Series. However, that is still two years in the future, and in 1917 he was definitely the best pitcher in the American League. Along with wins and ERA, he also led the league in ERA+ (174), WHIP (0.912), WAR (10), and innings pitched (346.2). His ERA was .21 runs lower than anyone else, and he won 4 more games than Babe Ruth, ho had the second most. At 33 years old, he was at an age when most pitchers started to decline, but, like most knuckleball pitchers, he was just hitting his prime. We'll never know how his career might have turned out if he hadn't been banned after the 1920 season, but it's not a stretch to say he could've ended up in the Hall of Fame; after Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson, he probably has the best Hall of Fame credentials of any banned players.
1917 National League - Grover Cleveland Alexander, Philadelphia Phillies
30-13, 1.83 ERA, 200 K
It's another easy win for Alexander, who was the best pitcher in the league for the third year in a row and nearly won the Triple Crown for the third year in a row, finishing second in ERA to Fred Anderson, who barely pitched enough innings to qualify for the title. Once again, he led the league in shutouts, although he "only" had 8 - half as many as the previous year. He was also the leader in complete games (34) and innings pitched (388). This year was the third in a row (at least) that he led in wins, strikeouts, shutouts, complete games, and innings pitched, making it one of the best three year runs that any pitcher has ever had.
28-12, 1.53 ERA, 150 K
Cicotte very nearly won the Triple Crown in 1917 (he finished first in wins and ERA but second in strikeouts), led the White Sox to their last World Series win until 2005, and is generally credited with inventing the knuckleball, but he will always be best known as one of the eight conspirators banned from baseball for throwing the 1919 World Series. However, that is still two years in the future, and in 1917 he was definitely the best pitcher in the American League. Along with wins and ERA, he also led the league in ERA+ (174), WHIP (0.912), WAR (10), and innings pitched (346.2). His ERA was .21 runs lower than anyone else, and he won 4 more games than Babe Ruth, ho had the second most. At 33 years old, he was at an age when most pitchers started to decline, but, like most knuckleball pitchers, he was just hitting his prime. We'll never know how his career might have turned out if he hadn't been banned after the 1920 season, but it's not a stretch to say he could've ended up in the Hall of Fame; after Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson, he probably has the best Hall of Fame credentials of any banned players.
1917 National League - Grover Cleveland Alexander, Philadelphia Phillies
30-13, 1.83 ERA, 200 K
It's another easy win for Alexander, who was the best pitcher in the league for the third year in a row and nearly won the Triple Crown for the third year in a row, finishing second in ERA to Fred Anderson, who barely pitched enough innings to qualify for the title. Once again, he led the league in shutouts, although he "only" had 8 - half as many as the previous year. He was also the leader in complete games (34) and innings pitched (388). This year was the third in a row (at least) that he led in wins, strikeouts, shutouts, complete games, and innings pitched, making it one of the best three year runs that any pitcher has ever had.
Monday, March 5, 2012
1908 Cy Young Awards
1908 American League - Ed Walsh, Chicago White Sox
40-15, 1.42 ERA, 269 K
This one was a tough call, not because there weren't any pitchers who stood out, but because there were too many who did. Addie Joss, who led the league with a miniscule 1.16 ERA, and Cy Young, who at 41 years of age went 21-11 with a career-low 1.26 ERA, were both worthy candidates, but in the end I had to give it to Ed Walsh, who won 16 more games than anyone else, and in the process became the last 40-game winner ever. Aside from leading the league in wins, he also led in strikeouts, games pitched (66), starts (49), complete games (42), shutouts (11), innings pitched (464 - a post-1900 record), and even saves (6). Although Joss and Young both had lower ERAs, Walsh finished third with a respectable 1.42 ERA and 164 ERA+, something that certainly can be overlooked considering everything else that he did in 1908. It was the second year in a row that Walsh was the best pitcher in the AL, and the Future Hall of Famer would finish with the best career ERA in MLB history (1.82), a record that is unlikely to ever be broken.
1908 National League - Christy Mathewson, New York Giants
37-11, 1.43 ERA, 259 K
For the second time in his career, Mathewson won the NL Triple Crown, and for the third time he was the best pitcher in the league. In addition to the triple crown categories, Mathewson also led in WHIP (0.827), games played (56), starts (44), complete games (34), shutouts (11), innings pitched (390.2), walks per 9 innings (0.968), saves (5), and WAR (10.1). He was no doubt the NL's best pitcher in 1908, and was also one of the best pitchers ever. In recognition of his many accomplishments, he was one of the original five players elected to the Hall of Fame in its first year in 1936.
40-15, 1.42 ERA, 269 K
This one was a tough call, not because there weren't any pitchers who stood out, but because there were too many who did. Addie Joss, who led the league with a miniscule 1.16 ERA, and Cy Young, who at 41 years of age went 21-11 with a career-low 1.26 ERA, were both worthy candidates, but in the end I had to give it to Ed Walsh, who won 16 more games than anyone else, and in the process became the last 40-game winner ever. Aside from leading the league in wins, he also led in strikeouts, games pitched (66), starts (49), complete games (42), shutouts (11), innings pitched (464 - a post-1900 record), and even saves (6). Although Joss and Young both had lower ERAs, Walsh finished third with a respectable 1.42 ERA and 164 ERA+, something that certainly can be overlooked considering everything else that he did in 1908. It was the second year in a row that Walsh was the best pitcher in the AL, and the Future Hall of Famer would finish with the best career ERA in MLB history (1.82), a record that is unlikely to ever be broken.
1908 National League - Christy Mathewson, New York Giants
37-11, 1.43 ERA, 259 K
For the second time in his career, Mathewson won the NL Triple Crown, and for the third time he was the best pitcher in the league. In addition to the triple crown categories, Mathewson also led in WHIP (0.827), games played (56), starts (44), complete games (34), shutouts (11), innings pitched (390.2), walks per 9 innings (0.968), saves (5), and WAR (10.1). He was no doubt the NL's best pitcher in 1908, and was also one of the best pitchers ever. In recognition of his many accomplishments, he was one of the original five players elected to the Hall of Fame in its first year in 1936.
1907 Cy Young Awards
1907 American League - Ed Walsh, Chicago White Sox
24-18, 1.60 ERA, 206 K
Often, the ERA leader of the league is a pitcher who pitched a fairly low number of innings,meaning they did well but in a smaller sample size. However, not only did Walsh lead the league in ERA, but he also led in innings pitched (422.1), games pitched (56), starts (46), complete games (37), and even saves (4), meaning that not only was he very effective, he was effective in more innings than anyone else. His win-loss record leaves something to be desired, but it needs to be taken into account that he pitched for the team with the second worst offense in the league (.238 team batting average and a dismal OPS+ of 89), so when everything else is taken into consideration, he was clearly the best pitcher in the league. Honorable mention does go to Cleveland's Addie Joss though, for posting a 27-11 win-loss record and a third place 1.83 ERA.
1907 National League -Carl Lundgren, Chicago Cubs
18-7, 1.17 ERA, 84 K
A year after losing to the "Hitless Wonders" in the World Series, the Cubs returned in 1907, bringing with them by far the best pitching staff in the league. The top three ERA leaders, along with 5 of the top 6, all pitched for the Cubs, and the team led the NL with an unbelievable 1.73 ERA, which translated to a 144 ERA+. As a result, there was little doubt that a Cubs pitcher would win the retroactive Cy Young Award; the only question was who. I ended up choosing Carl Lundgren, who finished second in ERA by 0.02 runs, but had a much better record than the ERA leader (Jack Pfiester, 14-9) and more innings pitched (207 to 195). Although Lundgren himself didn't have very high win totals, his ERA was so far above anyone else who pitched more innings that it was hard not to give it to him.Lundgren did have a tendency to give up walks (on average 4 every 9 innings) but he also led the league in fewest hits per 9 innings (5.652 - about one hit lower than anyone else).
24-18, 1.60 ERA, 206 K
Often, the ERA leader of the league is a pitcher who pitched a fairly low number of innings,meaning they did well but in a smaller sample size. However, not only did Walsh lead the league in ERA, but he also led in innings pitched (422.1), games pitched (56), starts (46), complete games (37), and even saves (4), meaning that not only was he very effective, he was effective in more innings than anyone else. His win-loss record leaves something to be desired, but it needs to be taken into account that he pitched for the team with the second worst offense in the league (.238 team batting average and a dismal OPS+ of 89), so when everything else is taken into consideration, he was clearly the best pitcher in the league. Honorable mention does go to Cleveland's Addie Joss though, for posting a 27-11 win-loss record and a third place 1.83 ERA.
1907 National League -Carl Lundgren, Chicago Cubs
18-7, 1.17 ERA, 84 K
A year after losing to the "Hitless Wonders" in the World Series, the Cubs returned in 1907, bringing with them by far the best pitching staff in the league. The top three ERA leaders, along with 5 of the top 6, all pitched for the Cubs, and the team led the NL with an unbelievable 1.73 ERA, which translated to a 144 ERA+. As a result, there was little doubt that a Cubs pitcher would win the retroactive Cy Young Award; the only question was who. I ended up choosing Carl Lundgren, who finished second in ERA by 0.02 runs, but had a much better record than the ERA leader (Jack Pfiester, 14-9) and more innings pitched (207 to 195). Although Lundgren himself didn't have very high win totals, his ERA was so far above anyone else who pitched more innings that it was hard not to give it to him.Lundgren did have a tendency to give up walks (on average 4 every 9 innings) but he also led the league in fewest hits per 9 innings (5.652 - about one hit lower than anyone else).
1906 Cy Young Awards
1906 American League - Doc White, Chicago White Sox
18-6, 1.52 ERA, 95 K
This particular race was wide open - there was no single pitcher that even came close to standing out as exceptional. In the end though, I went with White. Pitching for the World Series winning White Sox, White led the league in ERA, ERA+ (169), and WHIP (0.903), although he did so in "only" 219.1 innings, and had "only" 18 wins. However, there were no other pitchers who both pitched substantially more than White and had an ERA that wasn't substantially higher than White's. Although I will often give preference to the pitcher with a slightly higher ERA and substantially more innings pitched, there was nobody who fit that description this year. Interestingly though, despite the fairly low innings pitched figure, White had the second highest WAR in the league (5.6). Interestingly, the White Sox had the lowest batting average in the league, yet they still won the World Series, which says something about the quality of their pitchers, including White.
1906 National League - Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown, Chicago Cubs
26-6, 1.04 ERA, 144 K
The title of the best pitcher in the AL in 1906 might have been wide open, but there was no such problem in the NL, where future Hall of Famer Mordecai Brown put up one of the best pitching seasons ever. Brown, who acquired his nickname from a farm machinery accident when he was young (and has a given name even more interesting than his nickname - Mordecai Peter Centennial Brown), had been a successful pitcher in his previous three seasons, but 1906 was when his career really took off. Pitching three times as many shutouts as he had fingers on his pitching hand, Three Finger Brown actually worked his disability to his advantage; his missing fingers allowed him to give extra spin that a pitcher with a full set of fingers would not be able to do. His 1906 season was the first of four consecutive seasons with an ERA under 1.50, and his ERA of 1.04 in 1906 was by far the best in the league (by nearly half a run), and it remains the second-lowest in post-1893 baseball, and the lowest among any pitcher with over 250 innings pitched, in any time period. In addition, he led the league in ERA+ with an absurd figure of 253, meaning his ERA was more than 2.5 times the league average, and he also led in WHIP (.934), shutouts, and finished second in wins. With Brown's help, the Cubs reached the World Series in 1906, losing to the "Hitless Wonders" White Sox.
18-6, 1.52 ERA, 95 K
This particular race was wide open - there was no single pitcher that even came close to standing out as exceptional. In the end though, I went with White. Pitching for the World Series winning White Sox, White led the league in ERA, ERA+ (169), and WHIP (0.903), although he did so in "only" 219.1 innings, and had "only" 18 wins. However, there were no other pitchers who both pitched substantially more than White and had an ERA that wasn't substantially higher than White's. Although I will often give preference to the pitcher with a slightly higher ERA and substantially more innings pitched, there was nobody who fit that description this year. Interestingly though, despite the fairly low innings pitched figure, White had the second highest WAR in the league (5.6). Interestingly, the White Sox had the lowest batting average in the league, yet they still won the World Series, which says something about the quality of their pitchers, including White.
1906 National League - Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown, Chicago Cubs
26-6, 1.04 ERA, 144 K
The title of the best pitcher in the AL in 1906 might have been wide open, but there was no such problem in the NL, where future Hall of Famer Mordecai Brown put up one of the best pitching seasons ever. Brown, who acquired his nickname from a farm machinery accident when he was young (and has a given name even more interesting than his nickname - Mordecai Peter Centennial Brown), had been a successful pitcher in his previous three seasons, but 1906 was when his career really took off. Pitching three times as many shutouts as he had fingers on his pitching hand, Three Finger Brown actually worked his disability to his advantage; his missing fingers allowed him to give extra spin that a pitcher with a full set of fingers would not be able to do. His 1906 season was the first of four consecutive seasons with an ERA under 1.50, and his ERA of 1.04 in 1906 was by far the best in the league (by nearly half a run), and it remains the second-lowest in post-1893 baseball, and the lowest among any pitcher with over 250 innings pitched, in any time period. In addition, he led the league in ERA+ with an absurd figure of 253, meaning his ERA was more than 2.5 times the league average, and he also led in WHIP (.934), shutouts, and finished second in wins. With Brown's help, the Cubs reached the World Series in 1906, losing to the "Hitless Wonders" White Sox.
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