The Worst Cy Young Snubs In MLB History
There have been some great QBs and some horrible QBs in NFL History. These are the worst Quarterbacks to ever start an NFL game.
25. Johan Santana (2006, AL)
It was the second year in the row Santana put up strong numbers and yet did not win the Cy Young. Santana went 13-9 with a 2.77 ERA which was much better than the winner C.C. Sabathia but Sabathia won 19 games.
24. Clayton Kershaw (2016, NL)
Kershaw had one of this best seasons and one of the best in recent memory. He went 21-4 with a 1.69 ERA and a 10.4 WAR. But the winner was Max Scherzer.
23.Wilbur Wood (1972, AL)
Wood was a pitcher for the White Sox. He went 22-15 with a 2.51 ERA and a modern day AL record of 376 and 2/3 innings. But Vida Blue (Athletics) ended up winning the award.
22. Nolan Ryan (1977, AL)
We all know how amazing Nolan Ryan was. He struck out 270 batters in 1977 with a 2.63 ERA and 9.5 WAR. However, Yankees relief pitcher Sparkly Lyle won the Cy Young award.
21. Mark Fidrych (1976, AL)
Mark "The Bird" Fidrych (Tigers) won the rookie of the year and had an amazing 19-9 record with a 2.34 ERA which led MLB. However, Jim Palmer of the Orioles 22-10 record won the award.
20. Tommy John (1979, AL)
Tommy John only got 51 points in the Cy Young despite going 21-13 with a 2.83 ERA. he lost to Mike Flanagan.
19. Mike Norris (1980, AL)
Mike Norris went 22-9 with a 2.53 ERA in 1980. He pitched for the Athletics and led AL pitchers in WAR. However, Steve Stone somehow won the vote despite Norris having better stats.
18. Zack Wheeler (2021, NL)
Zach Wheeler (Phillies) went 14-10 with a 2.78 ERA in 2021. He had a 7.6 WAR which was better than Corbin Burnes who won the award.
17. Aaron Nola (2018, NL)
Nola for the Phillies had an excellent season. He had a 2.37 ERA and led NL pitchers in WAR (7.5) But he lost to Jacob deGrom despite a 1.5 better WAR.
16. Justin Verlander (2012, AL)
Justin Verlander (Tigers) finished just 4 points behind the winner of the award David Price. Advanced metrics favored Verlander in every category.
15. Zack Greinke (2015, NL)
Greine (Dodgers) went 19-3 with a 1.66 ERA. Which is an absolute amazing stat line. He lost to Jake Arrieta who went 22-6.
14. Kevin Brown (1998, NL)
Kevin Brown (Dodgers) posted a 2.38 ERA and had 300+ innings and 8.7 WAR. It wasn't enough to voters over Tom Glavine who won the award.
13. Jose Rijo (1993, NL)
Rijo led NL pitchers with a 2.93 ERA and 9.2 WAR in 1993. He was better than Greg Maddux in both those categories. Yet Maddux won the award by a landslide.
12. Bob Welch (1987, NL)
Bob Welch (Dodgers) had an amazing 1987 NL leading WAR of 7.1 and a 17-8 record. However he lost to Steve Bedrosian (Braves, 30 saves) by 2 points in Cy Young boting.
11. Dennis Eckersley (1988, AL)
Dennis Eckersley (A's) was the best relief pitcher in the AL. He had a 2.35 ERA and 45 saves. But Frank Viola ended up winning the Cy Young in a landslide vote.
10. Dave Stieb (1984, AL)
Dave Stieb (Blue Jays) posted a 2.48 ERA with a 198 strikeouts over 267 innings. His WAR was also the best among AL starters. Yet Willie Hernandez (Tigers) won with a 1.92 ERA and 32 saves.
9. Dan Quisenberry (1983, AL)
Dan Quisenberry (Royals) had a 1.94 ERA and 45 saves and the highest WAR of any the Cy Young vote getters (despite being a closer). But LaMarr Hoyt won because he had 24 wins.
8. Mike Mussina (2001, AL)
Mike Mussina (Orioles) led AL starters in WHIP and strikeouts and WAR. But he finished 5th in Cy Young voting. Roger Clemens won it.
7. Roger Clemens (1990, AL)
In 1990 Clemens (Blue Jays) went 21-2 with a 1.93 ERA and 10.4 WAR (maybe one of the best seasons ever). But Bob Welch (Angels) won the award by 2 points because of his 27 wins.
6. Kevin Appier (1993, AL)
Appier (Royals went 18-8 with a 2.56 ERA and a 9.3 WAR in 1993. He outpaces the Cy Young winner that year Jack McDowell.
5. Justin Verlander (2016, AL)
Verlander had a historically great season. He went 16-9 with a 3.60 FIP and 7.2 WAR. But Rick Porcello ended up getting the award over him.
4. Randy Johnson (2004, NL)
Randy Johnson (Diamondbacks) went 16-7 with a 2.84 ERA and 8.4 WAR in 2004. But Roger Clemens won despite a higher ERA and WAR.
3. Roger Clemens (2005, NL)
In 2005 Clemens (Astros) finished third in NL despite posting a 21-4 record and a 2.98 ERA and 7.8 WAR. Chris Carpenter won the award.
2. Johan Santana (2005, AL)
Santana with another snub here. He went 17-6 with a 2.87 ERA and a 7.2 WAR which was superior numbers to Bartolo Colon who won the award.
1. Felix Hernandez (2014, AL)
Felix Hernandez 2014 season was amazing. He went 15-7 with a 2.14 ERA and 236 IP for the Mariners. He led the AL in ERA and WHIP and had the highest WAR among starting pitchers. However, Corey Kluber won the award. Felix had even a higher strikeout number.