Mike Marshall’s 1974 Season: A Game-Changing Milestone in MLB History
Mike Marshall’s 1974 season remains one of the most remarkable chapters in Major League Baseball history. The innovative reliever logged an extraordinary 200 innings in relief, earning him the National League Cy Young Award and setting a new standard for bullpen contributions.
Historically, the Cy Young Award has predominantly been the realm of starting pitchers. However, Marshall’s stellar performance demonstrated that relievers could also dominate in this category. His achievement laid the groundwork for future relievers to be recognized for their critical roles, challenging the conventional wisdom of a starter-centric award.
Building on Marshall's legacy, several relievers have since risen to the occasion, capturing the prestigious Cy Young Award. In 1977, Sparky Lyle took home the American League Cy Young Award, furthering the narrative that elite relief pitching merits significant recognition. Bruce Sutter added to this legacy in 1979, winning the National League Cy Young and establishing himself as one of the most formidable closers of his era.
The 1980s saw exceptional performances from relievers that reshaped the Cy Young landscape. Rollie Fingers grabbed both the American League MVP and Cy Young Award in 1981 with only 78 innings pitched—a testament to his overwhelming dominance. Following in Fingers’ footsteps, Willie Hernandez achieved the same dual accolades in 1984 with a 1.92 ERA and 140 1/3 innings pitched.
In 1987, Steve Bedrosian clinched the National League Cy Young Award with 40 saves in 48 chances and 89 innings pitched. Two years later, Mark Davis took home the 1989 NL Cy Young Award after converting 44 saves in 48 opportunities and pitching 92 2/3 innings.
One of the most iconic relievers of the modern era, Dennis Eckersley, claimed both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards in 1992. Eckersley’s achievement came after delivering a remarkable season of relief work, culminating in 80 innings pitched.
Transitioning to the 21st century, Eric Gagne’s 2003 National League Cy Young Award win stands out. Gagne remains the only reliever to secure a Cy Young Award post-Eckersley, underscoring the rarity and difficulty of such a feat in today’s game.
Among current bullpen stalwarts, Craig Kimbrel has been a consistent force since being drafted as a reliever. Notably, Kimbrel did not start a single game in the minors until a rehabilitation stint in 2016—an unusual career path for a pitcher of his calibre.
Aroldis Chapman, another potent name in modern relief pitching, transitioned to the bullpen in 2010 and has been a formidable force ever since.
The 2023 season has introduced fans to Emmanuel Clase, a standout reliever who notched 38 saves in 41 chances. Clase’s performance includes an astonishing 0.59 ERA and 0.67 WHIP, complemented by 53 strikeouts and only seven unintentional walks over 61 1/3 innings. Despite his dominance, pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans currently rank higher than Clase in American League pitcher Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
Skubal, notable for his exceptional season, is expected to take a cautious approach through September. Erick Fedde, who transitioned to the National League, continues to make strides. Tyler Anderson, with a 4.46 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) and a 1.23 WHIP, also showcases the depth of pitching talent in the league. Meanwhile, Ragans is projected to sustain his strong performances despite recent injuries.
The evolution of relievers capturing Cy Young Awards highlights an important shift in MLB’s perspective on the value of bullpen arms. From Mike Marshall’s groundbreaking season in 1974 to today's emerging stars like Emmanuel Clase, the importance of relief pitchers in crafting championship teams cannot be overstated. As the role of relievers continues to evolve, their contributions to the game will undoubtedly be a defining factor in seasons to come.