In the storied annals of Major League Baseball, the achievements of relievers often find themselves overshadowed by the grandeur of starting pitchers. Yet, a select few have risen above the conventional hierarchy, leaving an indelible mark on the game. One such luminary is Mike Marshall, whose extraordinary 1974 season remains unparalleled. Logging an eye-watering 200 innings in relief, Marshall’s herculean efforts earned him the prestigious National League Cy Young Award, redefining what relievers could accomplish in a field dominated by starters.
Marshall’s triumph was a harbinger of change, ushering in an era where relief pitchers began to etch their names alongside the game’s elite. This trend gathered momentum as Sparky Lyle clinched the 1977 American League Cy Young Award, followed by Bruce Sutter’s 1979 NL Cy Young victory. Sutter, with his devastating splitter, established himself as one of the premier closers of his generation, showcasing the critical role relievers could play in an era still heavily skewed towards starters.
The early '80s saw further validation for relievers in the form of Rollie Fingers, who in 1981, achieved a rare double by securing both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards while pitching 78 innings. This feat was mirrored by Willie Hernandez in 1984, who garnered both honors with an ERA of 1.92 over 140 1/3 innings, reinforcing the notion that relievers could dominate the highest echelons of the sport.
Steve Bedrosian and Mark Davis continued this trend in the latter part of the decade. Bedrosian’s 1987 NL Cy Young Award win was underpinned by 40 saves from 48 chances, and 89 innings pitched, a testament to his reliability and effectiveness under pressure. Two years later, Davis followed suit by capturing the 1989 NL Cy Young Award, converting 44 saves in 48 opportunities and recording 92 2/3 innings—numbers that underscored his pivotal role in games.
Perhaps one of the most iconic relievers of the early '90s, Dennis Eckersley, etched his name in history by not only winning the AL MVP but also securing the Cy Young Award in 1992. His incredible effectiveness across 80 innings of relief work set a new benchmark for future generations of relievers.
Fast forward to the early 2000s, and Eric Gagne’s 2003 NL Cy Young Award win stands as a solitary testament to a closer’s dominance in the post-Eckersley era. Gagne remains the last reliever to have captured the Cy Young Award, highlighting the extraordinary nature of his achievement.
In contemporary baseball, figures like Craig Kimbrel and Aroldis Chapman have epitomized the evolving role of the reliever. From the moment Kimbrel was drafted as a reliever, his trajectory was clear. Interestingly, he didn’t start a single game in the minors until a rehabilitation stint in 2016, exemplifying his specialization in relief roles. Meanwhile, Chapman’s transition to the bullpen in 2010 has been nothing short of meteoric, underscoring the bullpen's pivotal role in modern baseball strategies.
One of the rising stars in the reliever ranks today is Emmanuel Clase, who, with 38 saves in 41 chances, stands out for his sheer effectiveness. Clase’s staggering 0.59 ERA and 0.67 WHIP over 61 1/3 innings, complemented by 53 strikeouts and a mere seven unintentional walks, typifies the elite relief pitching that can tilt the scales in close contests.
Despite Clase’s remarkable numbers, it’s noteworthy that pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans currently rank higher in AL pitcher WAR. Fedde's transition to the National League signifies shifting dynamics, while Skubal is expected to adopt a cautious approach as the season winds down. Anderson and Ragans, though dealing with contrasting challenges, continue to deliver solid performances contributing significantly to their teams’ fortunes.
As the game evolves, the indispensable value of relievers like Mike Marshall and the subsequent generations of bullpen stalwarts remain a cornerstone of baseball. Their contributions have reshaped the fabric of the sport, proving that, regardless of inning or situation, dominance on the mound is an art that transcends traditional roles. In doing so, they've ensured that the legacy of relief pitching continues to shine brightly in the tapestry of baseball history.