The Legacy of Relievers: From Marshall to Clase
Mike Marshall's 1974 season stands out as one of the most extraordinary achievements in Major League Baseball history. Winning the National League Cy Young Award while pitching 200 innings in relief, Marshall set a benchmark, demonstrating that relievers could significantly contribute and dominate in an award category traditionally dominated by starters.
Marshall's era-defining season wasn't an isolated incident but rather a precursor to a series of exceptional performances by relievers in subsequent decades. Sparky Lyle captured the 1977 American League Cy Young Award, further validating the impact that relievers could have on the game. Two years later, Bruce Sutter clinched the NL Cy Young in 1979, solidifying his reputation as one of the most formidable closers of his time.
In 1981, Rollie Fingers broke new ground by winning both the American League MVP and the Cy Young Award while pitching just 78 innings. His remarkable performance demonstrated that excellence in relief could be recognized at the highest levels. This trend continued with Willie Hernandez, who also secured both the AL MVP and Cy Young in 1984. Hernandez's 1.92 ERA over 140⅓ innings was a testament to his dominance and endurance.
The late 1980s saw more recognition for relievers with Steve Bedrosian taking home the NL Cy Young in 1987. Bedrosian's stellar season included 40 saves in 48 chances and 89 innings pitched. Mark Davis followed suit in 1989 by converting 44 saves in 48 opportunities and pitching 92⅔ innings to claim the NL Cy Young Award. With such consistent excellence from relievers, it became clear that they were indispensable to a team's success.
The early 1990s witnessed another spectacular season from a reliever when Dennis Eckersley claimed both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards in 1992. Eckersley's dominance was evident in his 80 innings of relief work, proving once again that relievers could be frontrunners for baseball's most prestigious honors.
After a relative lull in the recognition of relievers, Eric Gagne broke the mold in 2003 by winning the NL Cy Young Award. Gagne remains the only reliever to have secured a Cy Young post-Eckersley, highlighting the rarity of such accolades for relievers in the modern era.
The Modern Guardians of the Bullpen
In the contemporary landscape, Craig Kimbrel has become a pillar in the bullpen. Drafted as a reliever and having not started a single game in the minors until a rehabilitation stint in 2016, Kimbrel's career is a testament to his unwavering dedication to relief pitching. Similarly, Aroldis Chapman, who transitioned to the bullpen in 2010, has left his mark with his explosive pitching style.
Emmanuel Clase, a rising star in the bullpen, saved 38 games in 41 chances, boasting a 0.59 ERA and a 0.67 WHIP. Clase's precision is evident with his 53 strikeouts and only seven unintentional walks over 61⅓ innings. Despite his stellar performance, pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans rank higher than Clase in AL pitcher WAR, illustrating the competitive nature of modern baseball metrics. Fedde has transitioned to the National League, Skubal is expected to take a cautious approach through September, Anderson pitches with a 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP, and Ragans is expected to maintain his strong performances despite a recent injury.
The contributions and recognition of relief pitchers have evolved significantly since Mike Marshall's groundbreaking season in 1974. From award-winning performances by the likes of Rollie Fingers and Dennis Eckersley to the current excellence of Craig Kimbrel and Emmanuel Clase, relievers have etched their presence firmly in baseball history. They remain pivotal to a team's success, despite the game’s evolution and the ever-changing metrics that define player value.