From Bullpen to Fame: The Legacy of Elite MLB Relievers
Mike Marshall’s 1974 season stands as a unique milestone in Major League Baseball history. Winning the National League Cy Young Award by pitching an astounding 200 innings in relief, Marshall shattered conventional wisdom about the role of relievers. This unprecedented achievement demonstrated that relievers could not only contribute significantly to their teams but also dominate in an award category traditionally reserved for starting pitchers.
The landscape for relievers continued to evolve, with Sparky Lyle capturing the 1977 American League Cy Young Award and Bruce Sutter establishing himself as one of the most formidable closers of his era with his 1979 NL Cy Young win. These achievements signified a shift in how baseball valued the contributions of its bullpen artisans.
In the early '80s, Rollie Fingers and Willie Hernandez further solidified the prominence of relievers with their exceptional performances. Fingers secured both the AL MVP and Cy Young in 1981 with 78 innings pitched, showcasing dominance in every role he was given. Meanwhile, Hernandez captured the AL MVP and Cy Young in 1984, boasting an impressive 1.92 ERA over 140 1/3 innings, blending longevity with efficiency.
The remarkable trend of relievers stepping into the spotlight continued with Steve Bedrosian in 1987. Bedrosian clinched the NL Cy Young Award, converting 40 saves in 48 chances while pitching 89 innings. Just two years later, Mark Davis echoed this success by winning the 1989 NL Cy Young Award after converting 44 saves over 92 2/3 innings.
Dennis Eckersley’s 1992 season remains a defining moment in the history of MLB's bullpen. Claiming both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards with a mere 80 innings of work, Eckersley exemplified the role of a specialized reliever who could exert outsized influence on the game’s outcome.
Post-Eckersley, the role of relievers remained critical, but only Eric Gagne has etched his name into Cy Young history since then. Gagne’s 2003 NL Cy Young Award win was a significant accolade, marking him as the only reliever post-Eckersley to secure this prestigious award.
Modern-day bullpen icons continue to make their mark. Craig Kimbrel has been a stalwart in the bullpen ever since he was drafted exclusively as a reliever, with minimal deviation even in the minors. Aroldis Chapman’s transition to the bullpen in 2010 further exemplified how these specialists become vital cogs in their teams' machinery.
Emmanuel Clase’s recent performances have also drawn significant attention. Saving 38 games in 41 chances, Clase has an eye-popping 0.59 ERA and a 0.67 WHIP. His command is evident through his control, recording 53 strikeouts and only seven unintentional walks over 61 1/3 innings. Despite Clase’s dominance, pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Erick Fedde, Tyler Anderson, and Cole Ragans surpass him in AL pitcher WAR. This speaks volumes about the complexity and multitude of factors that contribute to the overall evaluation of a pitcher's worth.
Meanwhile, Fedde’s transition to the National League and Skubal's cautious approach through September highlight ongoing adjustments and strategic deployments within MLB pitching staffs. Anderson’s performance, characterized by a 4.46 FIP and 1.23 WHIP, and Ragans’ determination to continue strong showings despite recent injuries, further illustrate the dynamic and evolving nature of pitching roles in the league.
As we look back on these remarkable accomplishments, it’s evident that the bullpen has evolved from its traditional, overshadowed role to a critical component that can shape the destiny of a season. The lasting impact of figures like Mike Marshall, Rollie Fingers, and Dennis Eckersley sets a high bar for future generations.