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The Cy Young award is prestigious in MLB history, giving the best pitcher in the league hardware for their impressive seasons.
Over the years, hall-of-fame caliber pitchers have earned these awards with dominant campaigns to add to their already historic careers. Occasionally, though, solid pitchers have one-off great seasons, making their Cy Young victories the highlight of their careers.
Looking back on Cy Youngs over the years, there are many familiar names, and many surprising award winners as well. Here’s breakdown of the Cy Young award throughout MLB history.
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Every MLB Cy Young winner by year
Here’s a year-by-year look at every Cy Young award winner in MLB history.
| Year | AL Winner | NL Winner |
| 2024 | Tarik Skubal, Tigers | Chris Sale, Braves |
| 2023 | Gerrit Cole, Yankees | Blake Snell, Padres |
| 2022 | Justin Verlander, Astros | Sandy Alcantara, Marlins |
| 2021 | Robbie Ray, Blue Jays | Corbin Burnes, Brewers |
| 2020 | Shane Bieber, Indians | Trevor Bauer, Reds |
| 2019 | Justin Verlander, Astros | Jacob deGrom, Mets |
| 2018 | Blake Snell, Rays | Jacob deGrom, Mets |
| 2017 | Corey Kluber, Indians | Max Scherzer, Nationals |
| 2016 | Rick Porcello, Red Sox | Max Scherzer, Nationals |
| 2015 | Dallas Keuchel, Astros | Jake Arrieta, Cubs |
| 2014 | Corey Kluber, Indians | Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers |
| 2013 | Max Scherzer, Tigers | Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers |
| 2012 | David Price, Rays | R.A. Dickey, Mets |
| 2011 | Justin Verlander, Tigers | Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers |
| 2010 | Felix Hernandez, Mariners | Roy Halladay, Phillies |
| 2009 | Zack Greinke, Royals | Tim Lincecum, Giants |
| 2008 | Cliff Lee, Indians | Tim Lincecum, Giants |
| 2007 | CC Sabathia, Indians | Jake Peavy, Padres |
| 2006 | Johan Santana, Twins | Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks |
| 2005 | Bartolo Colon, Angels | Chris Carpenter, Cardinals |
| 2004 | Johan Santana, Twins | Roger Clemens, Astros |
| 2003 | Roy Halladay, Blue Jays | Eric Gagne, Dodgers |
| 2002 | Barry Zito, Athletics | Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks |
| 2001 | Roger Clemens, Yankees | Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks |
| 2000 | Pedro Martinez, Red Sox | Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks |
| 1999 | Pedro Martinez, Red Sox | Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks |
| 1998 | Roger Clemens, Blue Jays | Tom Glavine, Braves |
| 1997 | Roger Clemens, Blue Jays | Pedro Martinez, Expos |
| 1996 | Pat Hentgen, Blue Jays | John Smoltz, Braves |
| 1995 | Randy Johnson, Mariners | Greg Maddux, Braves |
| 1994 | David Cone, Royals | Greg Maddux, Braves |
| 1993 | Jack McDowell, White Sox | Greg Maddux, Braves |
| 1992 | Dennis Eckersley, Athletics | Greg Maddux, Cubs |
| 1991 | Roger Clemens, Red Sox | Tom Glavine, Braves |
| 1990 | Bob Welch, Athletics | Doug Drabek, Pirates |
| 1989 | Bret Saberhagen, Royals | Mark Davis, Padres |
| 1988 | Frank Viola, Twins | Orel Hersheiser, Dodgers |
| 1987 | Roger Clemens, Red Sox | Steve Bedrosian, Phillies |
| 1986 | Roger Clemens, Red Sox | Mike Scott, Astros |
| 1985 | Bret Saberhagen, Royals | Dwight Gooden, Mets |
| 1984 | Willie Hernandez, Tigers | Rick Sutcliffe, Cubs |
| 1983 | LaMarr Hoyt, White Sox | John Denny, Phillies |
| 1982 | Pete Vuckovich, Brewers | Steve Carlton, Phillies |
| 1981 | Rollie Fingers, Brewers | Fernando Valanzuela, Dodgers |
| 1980 | Steve Stone, Orioles | Steve Carlton, Phillies |
| 1979 | Mike Flanagan, Orioles | Bruce Sutter, Cubs |
| 1978 | Ron Guidry, Yankees | Gaylord Perry, Padres |
| 1977 | Sparky Lyle, Yankees | Steve Carlton, Phillies |
| 1976 | Jim Palmer, Orioles | Randy Jones, Padres |
| 1975 | Jim Palmer, Orioles | Tom Seaver, Mets |
| 1974 | Catfish Hunter, Athletics | Mike Marshall, Dodgers |
| 1973 | Jim Palmer, Orioles | Tom Seaver, Mets |
| 1972 | Gaylord Perry, Indiands | Steve Carlton, Phillies |
| 1971 | Vida Blue, Athletics | Fergie Jenkins, Cubs |
| 1970 | Jim Perry, Twins | Bob Gibson, Cardinals |
| 1969 | Denny McLain, Tigers/Mike Cuellar, Orioles | Tom Seaver, Mets |
| 1968 | Denny McClain, Tigers | Bob Gibson, Cardinals |
| 1967 | Jim Lonborg, Red Sox | Mike McCormick, Giants |
| 1966 | N/A | Sandy Koufax, Dodgers |
| 1965 | N/A | Sandy Koufax, Dodgers |
| 1964 | N/A | Don Drysdale, Dodgers |
| 1961 | Whitey Ford, Yankees | N/A |
| 1960 | N/A | Vern Law, Pirates |
| 1959 | Early Wynn, White Sox | N/A |
| 1958 | Bob Turley, Yankees | N/A |
| 1957 | N/A | Warren Spahn, Braves |
| 1956 | N/A | Don Newcombe, Dodgers |
Note: From 1956 to 1966, the Cy Young Award was one award before separating to AL and NL awards
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Who has won the most Cy Young awards?
Roger Clemens holds the record for the most Cy Young awards, as he has won the award seven times. Clemens did so with four different teams, winning three with the Boston Red Sox, two with the Toronto Blue Jays and one apiece with the New York Yankees and Houston Astros.
Only one other pitcher in MLB history has even won five Cy Young awards, as Randy Johnson won the award five times. Greg Maddux and Steve Carlton both had four Cy Young wins, rounding out the top four.
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MLB Cy Young awards by player
Here’s a look at every multiple-time Cy Young winner, sorted by number of awards won.
| Player | Cy Youngs | Team(s) | Year(s) |
| Roger Clemens | 7 | Red Sox, Blue Jays, Yankees, Astros | 1986, 1987, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2004 |
| Randy Johnson | 5 | Mariners, Diamondbacks | 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 |
| Greg Maddux | 4 | Cubs, Braves | 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 |
| Steve Carlton | 4 | Phillies | 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982 |
| Clayton Kershaw | 3 | Dodgers | 2011, 2013, 2014 |
| Max Scherzer | 3 | Tigers, Nationals | 2013, 2016, 2017 |
| Justin Verlander | 3 | Tigers, Astros | 2011, 2019, 2022 |
| Pedro Martinez | 3 | Expos, Red Sox | 1997, 1999, 2000 |
| Tom Seaver | 3 | Mets | 1969, 1973, 1975 |
| Jim Palmer | 3 | Orioles | 1973, 1975, 1976 |
| Blake Snell | 2 | Rays, Padres | 2018, 2023 |
| Jacob deGrom | 2 | Mets | 2018, 2019 |
| Corey Kluber | 2 | Indians | 2014, 2017 |
| Tim Lincecum | 2 | Gians | 2009, 2010 |
| Johan Santana | 2 | Twins | 2004, 2006 |
| Roy Halladay | 2 | Blue Jays, Phillies | 2003, 2010 |
| Tom Glavine | 2 | Braves | 1991, 1998 |
| Bret Saberhagen | 2 | Royals | 1985, 1989 |
| Gaylord Perry | 2 | Indians, Padres | 1972, 1978 |
| Denny McClain | 2 | Tigers | 1968, 1969 |
| Bob Gibson | 2 | Cardinals | 1968, 1970 |
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MLB Cy Young awards by team
| Team | Cy Youngs | Years |
| Los Angeles/Brooklyn Dodgers | 12 | 1956,1962,1963,1965,1974,1981, 1988, 2003, 2011, 2013, 2014 |
| Atlanta/Milwaukee Braves | 8 | 1957, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2024 |
| New York Mets | 7 | 1969, 1973, 1975, 1985, 2012, 2018, 2019 |
| Boston Red Sox | 7 | 1967, 1989, 1987, 1991, 1999, 2000, 2016 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 7 | 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1987, 2010 |
| Detroit Tigers | 6 | 1968, 1969, 1984, 2011, 2013, 2024 |
| New York Yankees | 6 | 1958, 1961, 1977, 1978, 2001, 2023 |
| Cleveland Guardians | 6 | 1972, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2017, 2020 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 6 | 1969, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1079, 2980 |
| San Diego Padres | 5 | 1976, 1978, 1989, 2007, 2023 |
| Houston Astros | 5 | 1986, 2004, 2015, 2019, 2022 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 5 | 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2021 |
| Chicago Cubs | 5 | 1971, 1979, 1984, 1992, 2015 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | 5 | 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006 |
| Oakland Athletics | 5 | 1971, 1974, 1990, 1992, 2002 |
| Kansas City Royals | 4 | 1985, 1989, 1994, 2009 |
| Minnesota Twins | 4 | 1970, 1988, 2004, 2006 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 3 | 1981, 1982, 2021 |
| Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals | 3 | 1997, 2016, 2017 |
| San Francisco Giants | 3 | 1967, 2008, 2009 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 3 | 1968, 1970, 2005 |
| Chicago White Sox | 3 | 1959, 1983, 1993 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | 2 | 2012, 2018 |
| Seattle Mariners | 2 | 1995, 2010 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 2 | 1964, 2005 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 2 | 1960, 1990 |
| Miami Marlins | 1 | 2022 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 1 | 2020 |
| Colorado Rockies | 0 | |
| Texas Rangers | 0 |
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Who votes on MLB Cy Young?
A rotating set of baseball writers vote for the Cy Young awards as part of MLB’s award season. Thirty AL writers vote for the AL Cy Young, and 30 NL writers vote for the NL Cy Young, but each writer votes for a different award each season.
Therefore, those who vote for the Cy Young one year may vote for MVP or Manager of the Year the following year.
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Controversial MLB Cy Young winners
Over time, the priorities for Cy Young voting has changed as voters now have access to more information, which means that hindsight would lead to many changes in Cy Young voting. However, there are some controversial Cy Youngs that stand out above the rest.
Rick Porcello, 2016
While Cy Young voters don’t use wins as much of a factor as they used to, they did in the 2016 Cy Young voting. Red Sox starter Rick Porcello won a league-leading 22 games, which ended up being more of a deciding factor than Justin Verlander’s 7.4 bWAR.
Additionally, Orioles closer Zack Britton had one of the best seasons for a reliever in recent memory, producing 47 saves and an impressive 0.54 ERA. However, he only finished fourth in voting.
Bartolo Colon, 2005
Johan Santana could have won three-straight Cy Youngs had it not been for Angels starter Bartolo Colon. In 2005, Colon’s league-leading 21 wins beat out Santana, who went 16-7 but had a much better ERA at 2.87 and bWAR at 7.2. In fact, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, whose stellar season included 43 saves and a 1.38 ERA, was also in contention.
Eric Gagne, 2003
Eric Gagne was the last reliever to win a Cy Young as he produced 55 saves with the Dodgers, but he wasn’t the best pitcher in the NL that season. Both Cubs starter Mark Prior and Giants starter Jason Schmidt had strong seasons, as Prior went 18-6 with a 2.43 ERA and Schmidt went 17-5 with a 2.34 ERA.
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Roger Clemens, 2001 and 2004
Roger Clemens’ reputation may have helped him add two more Cy Youngs near the end of his career. In 2021, Clemens won his sixth Cy Young, and his only with the Yankees, producing a 20-3 season with a 3.51 ERA. However, teammate Mike Mussina had the best year in the AL by bWAR, Athletics’ ace Mark Mulder led the league with 21 wins, and Mariners’ starter Freddy Garcia had an AL-leading 3.05 ERA.
Then, in 2004, Clemens prevented another Randy Johnson Cy Young despite producing a year with a worse ERA and worse bWAR. However, Clemens had more wins for an Astros team that made the NLCS, which likely gave him the nod.
Bob Welch, 1990
While Clemens has won a few controversial awards, he also came out on the other end a few times. In 1990, Clemens went 21-6 with a league-leading 1.93 ERA and 10.4 bWAR with the Red Sox, but the Athletics’ Bob Welch beat him out for the AL Cy Young.
Welch’s league-leading 27 wins were enough for voters to give him the Cy Young, even though his 2.95 ERA was a full run worse than Clemens’.
Pete Vuckovich, 1982
Perhaps the most controversial Cy Young award belongs to Pete Vuckovich, who won the 1982 award with the Milwaukee Brewers. Vuckovich had an 18-6 record that year, but his 3.34 ERA wasn’t even in the top 20 of qualified pitchers that season.
Pitchers who could have instead won the award were Rick Sutcliffe, who led the AL in ERA, Dave Stieb, who led the league in bWAR and Jim Palmer, who finished second to Vuckovich in the voting.
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MLB Cy Young award FAQs
What is the MLB Cy Young award?
The MLB Cy Young is the award for the best pitcher in each league. Every year, one AL pitcher and one NL pitcher are each named a Cy Young winner for their dominance during the season.
Who was the first MLB Cy Young award winner?
Dodgers pitcher Don Newcombe won the very first MLB Cy Young award, back when the league gave out just one award each year.
When was the Cy Young award introduced?
The award was created for the 1956 season, but it has been awarded to one AL pitcher and one NL pitcher per season since 1967.
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Has anyone won the Cy Young in both leagues?
Several pitchers have won the Cy Young award in both leagues, including:
- Blake Snell
- Max Scherzer
- Roy Halladay
- Roger Clemens
- Randy Johnson
- Pedro Martinez
- Gaylord Perry
Which players have been unanimous Cy Young winners?
Since the Cy Young award was created, there have been 28 unanimous victors spread around 21 different players. Those pitchers are:
- Tarik Skubal (2024)
- Gerrit Cole (2023)
- Justin Verlander (2011, 2022)
- Sandy Alcantara (2022)
- Shane Bieber (2020)
- Clayton Kershaw (2014)
- Roy Halladay (2010)
- Jake Peavy (2007)
- Johan Santana (2004, 2006)
- Randy Johnson (2002)
- Pedro Martinez (1999, 2000)
- Roger Clemens (1986, 1998)
- Greg Maddux (1994, 1995)
- Orel Hershiser (1988)
- Dwight Gooden (1985)
- Rick Sutcliffe (1984)
- Rob Guidry (1978)
- Steve Carlton (1972)
- Denny McClain (1968)
- Bob Gibson (1968)
- Sandy Koufax (1963, 1965, 1966)
Has a reliever ever won the Cy Young award?
While it is rare for a reliever to win the Cy Young, occasionally there is a reliever who has such a dominant season that is worth a Cy Young victory. The relievers to win the Cy Young are:
- Eric Gagne
- Dennis Eckersley
- Mark Davis
- Willie Hernandez
- Rollie Fingers
- Bruce Sutter
- Sparky Lyle
- Mike Marshall
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Who is the youngest Cy Young winner in history?
Dwight Gooden and Fernando Valenzuela both won the NL Cy Young award at the age of 20, but Gooden has the slight edge for youngest Cy Young winner ever by a few weeks. However, Valenzuela remains the only pitcher in MLB history to win rookie of the year and Cy Young in the same season.
Who is the oldest Cy Young winner in history?
Roger Clemens has many Cy Young records, including oldest Cy Young winner of all time. Clemens earned the award with the Astros in 2004, when he won the award at the age of 42.
In his career, Clemens won four Cy Youngs after turning 35 and is one of two pitchers to win the award after turning 40, along with Gaylord Perry,
Has anyone won Cy Young and MVP awards in the same year?
One of the highest honors for a pitcher is winning a Cy Young and MVP in the same season, which has happened a few times. Here’s the list of pitchers to win Cy Young and MVP in the same season:
- Clayton Kershaw (2014)
- Justin Verlander (2011)
- Dennis Eckersley (1992)
- Roger Clemens (1986)
- Rollie Fingers (1981)
- Vida Blue (1971)
- Sandy Koufax (1963)
- Don Newcombe (1956)
Why is it called the Cy Young award?
The Cy Young award is named after Cy Young, the hall-of-fame pitcher who played baseball from 1890 to 1911. In that span, Young won 511 games while pitching to a 2.63 ERA and collected a bWAR of 165.5.
Young passed away in 1955, and MLB created the Cy Young winner a year later in 1956.
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