Mike Marshall’s 1974 season remains one of the most remarkable in Major League Baseball history. Winning the National League Cy Young Award by working an astounding 200 innings in relief, Marshall's achievement set a powerful precedent in a traditionally starter-centric category. It was a clear indication that relievers could dominate and contribute significantly to their teams' success.
Following in Marshall's footsteps, Sparky Lyle captured the 1977 American League Cy Young Award. Lyle’s success continued to demonstrate the value of relievers, who could now be seen as serious contenders for baseball's most prestigious awards. In 1979, Bruce Sutter further solidified his place among the era's formidable closers by winning the NL Cy Young.
The 1980s saw more relievers being recognized for their exceptional contributions. Rollie Fingers secured both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards in 1981, thanks to his stellar 78 innings pitched. Willie Hernandez mirrored this dual success in 1984, clinching both awards with a 1.92 ERA and 140 1/3 innings pitched, showcasing the immense impact a reliever can have over a season.
Steve Bedrosian's 1987 NL Cy Young Award win was fueled by his 40 saves in 48 chances and 89 innings pitched. The end of the decade saw Mark Davis earning the 1989 NL Cy Young Award after converting 44 saves in 48 opportunities and pitching 92 2/3 innings.
Perhaps one of the most notable achievements came in 1992 when Dennis Eckersley claimed both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards, having completed 80 innings of remarkable relief work. This kind of performance was increasingly seen as invaluable, further redefining the role of the reliever in the game.
The post-Eckersley era saw another standout performance in 2003, when Eric Gagne won the NL Cy Young Award. Gagne remains the only reliever to secure a Cy Young Award post-1992, underscoring the rarity of such accomplishments in the modern age of baseball. Since then, relievers like Craig Kimbrel, who has been a stalwart in the bullpen since being drafted, have continued to make their mark. Kimbrel, notably, did not start a single game in the minors until a rehabilitation stint in 2016.
Aroldis Chapman adds to the list of impressive relievers, transitioning to the bullpen in 2010 and establishing himself as a dominant force. In more recent times, Emmanuel Clase has emerged as a premier closer, saving 38 games in 41 chances while maintaining a stellar 0.59 ERA and 0.67 WHIP. Clase’s performance includes 53 strikeouts with only seven unintentional walks over 61 1/3 innings.
However, it's noteworthy that despite Clase's impressive stats, pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans rank higher in AL pitcher WAR. Fedde, having transitioned to the National League, and Skubal, who is expected to take a cautious approach through September, represent a new wave of multi-faceted pitchers.
Anderson, pitching with a 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP, exemplifies the evolving expectations and metrics by which pitchers are now evaluated. Similarly, Ragans is expected to continue his strong performances despite recent injury, reflecting the resilience and adaptability required in the sport.
The evolution of the reliever’s role over the decades showcases the dynamic nature of baseball, where adaptability and excellence can redefine traditional boundaries. As the nuances of the game continue to evolve, the contributions of exceptional relievers will remain a testament to their enduring impact on the sport.