Mike Marshall's 1974 season remains etched in the annals of Major League Baseball, standing as a testament to what a reliever can achieve. Marshall, who logged an astounding 200 innings in relief, won the National League Cy Young Award that year, forever altering the perception of a reliever's role in what has traditionally been a starter-centric accolade.
The influence of Marshall's groundbreaking season is evident in the careers of numerous relievers who followed. For instance, Sparky Lyle secured the 1977 American League Cy Young Award, demonstrating that Marshall's feat was no anomaly. Then came Bruce Sutter, who in 1979 established himself as one of his era's most formidable closers by winning the NL Cy Young.
Relievers continued to assert their dominance in the '80s, with Rollie Fingers taking home both the AL MVP and Cy Young in 1981. He achieved this double accolade with 78 innings pitched, underscoring the value an elite closer could bring. Willie Hernandez echoed this success in 1984, also winning both the AL MVP and Cy Young with a stellar 1.92 ERA across 140 1/3 innings pitched.
A Legacy of Excellence
The late '80s saw Steve Bedrosian clinch the NL Cy Young Award in 1987 with an impressive 40 saves out of 48 chances and 89 innings pitched. Just two years later, Mark Davis would similarly impress, converting 44 saves in 48 opportunities and pitching 92 2/3 innings to win the 1989 NL Cy Young Award.
But it was Dennis Eckersley's 1992 season that left an indelible mark, as he claimed both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards, achieving this with 80 innings of superb relief work. Eckersley's victory signified a peak in the recognition of relievers, not to be matched until Eric Gagne in 2003. Gagne, the last reliever to win a Cy Young post-Eckersley, further cemented the importance of the bullpen in baseball's modern era.
Modern Day Bullpen Aces
Today, the legacy of these legendary relievers continues with pitchers like Craig Kimbrel and Aroldis Chapman. Kimbrel, ever since being drafted as a reliever, has been a stalwart in the bullpen. Remarkably consistent, he only started a game during a rehabilitation stint in 2016. Chapman, who transitioned to the bullpen in 2010, has also become a crucial component of his teams' pitching strategies.
One of the most recent examples of bullpen excellence comes from Emmanuel Clase, who saved 38 games in 41 chances. With a remarkable 0.59 ERA and 0.67 WHIP, Clase proves the bullpen remains as vital as ever. He recorded 53 strikeouts with just seven unintentional walks over 61 1/3 innings, showcasing incredible command and dominance on the mound.
Measuring Value in the Modern Era
Despite these stellar performances, the landscape of measuring a pitcher's value continues to evolve. WAR (Wins Above Replacement) is often cited, and in this metric, pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans have received notable attention in the American League. Skubal and Ragans are expected to continue performing strongly, albeit cautiously due to recent injuries, while Anderson maintains respectable stats with a 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP.
Erick Fedde, who has transitioned to the National League, also demonstrates the fluidity and competitiveness among pitchers striving for excellence and recognition across both leagues. Such transitions and performances illustrate the ongoing evolution and dynamism within Major League Baseball’s pitching paradigms.
Ultimately, the contributions of these relievers underscore a broader narrative: that dominance on the mound can manifest in various roles, whether starting games or closing them out. The echoes of Mike Marshall's historic 1974 season reverberate through the careers of these contemporary pitchers, continually reshaping how success and value are defined in the sport. The bullpen, far from being a refuge for faltering starters, remains a crucible where some of baseball's finest talents emerge and excel.