# The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award

The Sporting News established the Pitcher of the Year Award in 1944 to recognize the most outstanding pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB). It was given annually (except in 1946 and 1947) to one pitcher each in the American League and National League. In 2013, the Pitcher of the Year Award was split into the Starting Pitcher of the Year Award and Relief Pitcher of the Year Award, which are given annually to a starting pitcher and relief pitchers in each league, as judged by The Sporting News baseball experts.

## History

By the Second World War, The Sporting News, had been giving Player of the Year and Manager of the Year awards since 1936, and an annual Most Valuable Player Award since 1929. In 1944, The Sporting News inaugurated its Pitcher of the Year Award, which has been given each year since to the most outstanding pitcher in each league, with a brief hiatus from 1946 to 1947. Beginning in 2013, Sporting News issues two awards per league—one to the most outstanding starting pitcher, and one to the most outstanding reliever.
This award was established before there was a Cy Young Award, MLB's official honor for the best pitcher in each league. The Cy Young Award is voted by baseball writers from each city, and critics claim that the writers who follow a particular team or player throughout a season are naturally inclined to vote for him.
Three knuckleball pitchers have won the award: Joe Niekro, Wilbur Wood and R. A. Dickey.

### Award firsts

| Accomplishment | American League | American League | American League | National League | National League | National League | Ref. |
| Accomplishment | Player | Age | Year | Player | Age | Year | Ref. |
| First winner | Hal Newhouser $^†$ | 23 | 1944 | Bill Voiselle | 25 | 1944 | |
| First two-time winner | Hal Newhouser $^†$ | 24 | 1945 | Robin Roberts | 29 | 1955 | |
| First three-time winner | Bob Lemon $^†$ | 34 | 1954 | Warren Spahn $^†$ | 37 | 1958 | |
| First four-time winner | Roger Clemens | 36 | 1998 | Warren Spahn $^†$ | 40 | 1961 | |
| First five-time winner | Roger Clemens | 39 | 2001 | | | | |
| First to win two consecutive | Hal Newhouser $^†$ | 24 | 1945 | Warren Spahn $^†$ | 37 | 1958 | |
| First to win three consecutive | | | | Sandy Koufax $^†$ | 29 | 1965 | |
| First to win four consecutive | | | | Sandy Koufax $^†$ | 30 | 1966 | |
| First to win in both leagues | Vida Blue | 22 | 1971 | Vida Blue | 29 | 1978 | |
| Youngest winner | Vida Blue | 22 | 1971 | Dwight Gooden | 20 | 1985 | |
In 1946, Hal Newhouser (W-L: 26–9, ERA: 1.94, Ks: 275) could have narrowly won the award or tied with Bob Feller (W-L: 26–15, ERA: 2.18, Ks: 348) based upon his statistics. It would have been Newhouser's third consecutive win, a feat not yet accomplished by an American League pitcher; however, Sporting News did not issue the award in 1946 or 1947.
In 1981, Fernando Valenzuela won three The Sporting News awards: Pitcher of the Year, Rookie Pitcher of the Year, and Player of the Year.

## Winners
### Key

| * | Also named SN Player of the Year |
| ** | Also named SN Rookie Pitcher of the year |
| $^†$ | Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum |
| $^§$ | Major League Pitching Triple Crown – Led Majors in Wins, Strikeouts and ERA. |
| ‡ | Indicates player won the Warren Spahn Award that season. |
| | Player is active |
| Italics | Indicates player led the National or American League in Wins, Strikeouts, ERA or Saves. |
| Italics | Indicates player led the Major League in Wins, Strikeouts, ERA or Saves. |

### American League

Listed below in reverse chronological order are the American League pitchers chosen by Sporting News as recipients of the Pitcher of the Year Award.

#### American League starting pitchers

| Year | Pitcher | Team | Record | ERA | K |
| 2024 | Tarik Skubal | Detroit Tigers | 18–4 | 2.39 | 228 |
| 2023 | Gerrit Cole (3) | New York Yankees | 15–4 | 2.63 | 222 |
| 2022 | Justin Verlander (3) | Houston Astros | 18-4 | 1.75 | 185 |
| 2021 | Gerrit Cole (2) | New York Yankees | 16–8 | 3.23 | 243 |
| 2020 | Shane Bieber | Cleveland Indians | 8–1 | 1.63 | 122 |
| 2019 | Gerrit Cole (1) | Houston Astros | 20–5 | 2.50 | 326 |
| 2018 | Chris Sale (2) | Boston Red Sox | 12–4 | 2.11 | 237 |
| 2017 | Chris Sale (1) | Boston Red Sox | 17–8 | 2.90 | 308 |
| 2016 | Corey Kluber | Cleveland Indians | 18–9 | 3.14 | 227 |
| 2015 | Dallas Keuchel ‡ | Houston Astros | 20–8 | 2.48 | 216 |
| 2014 | Félix Hernández (2) | Seattle Mariners | 15–6 | 2.14 | 248 |
| 2013 | Max Scherzer (1) | Detroit Tigers | 21–3 | 2.90 | 240 |

#### American League relief pitchers

| Year | Pitchers | Team | Record | ERA | Saves |
| 2024 | Emmanuel Clase | Cleveland Guardians | 4–2 | 0.61 | 47 |
| 2023 | Félix Bautista | Baltimore Orioles | 8–2 | 1.48 | 33 |
| 2022 | Emmanuel Clase | Cleveland Guardians | 3–4 | 1.36 | 42 |
| 2021 | Liam Hendriks (3) | Chicago White Sox | 8–1 | 2.54 | 38 |
| 2020 | Liam Hendriks (2) | Oakland Athletics | 3–1 | 1.78 | 14 |
| 2019 | Liam Hendriks (1) | Oakland Athletics | 4–4 | 1.80 | 25 |
| 2018 | Edwin Díaz (1) | Seattle Mariners | 0–4 | 1.96 | 57 |
| 2017 | Craig Kimbrel (3) | Boston Red Sox | 5–0 | 1.43 | 35 |
| 2016 | Zach Britton | Baltimore Orioles | 2–1 | 0.54 | 47 |
| 2015 | Dellin Betances (2) | New York Yankees | 6–4 | 1.50 | 9 |
| 2014 | Dellin Betances (1) | New York Yankees | 5–0 | 1.40 | 1 |
| 2013 | Greg Holland | Kansas City Royals | 2–1 | 1.21 | 47 |

#### American League pitchers

| Year | Pitcher | Team | Record | ERA | K |
| 2012 | Justin Verlander (2) | Detroit Tigers | 17–8 | 2.64 | 239 |
| 2012 | David Price | Tampa Bay Rays | 20–5 | 2.56 | 205 |
| 2011 | Justin Verlander* (1) | Detroit Tigers | 24–5 | 2.40 | 250 |
| 2010 | Félix Hernández (1) | Seattle Mariners | 13–12 | 2.27 | 232 |
| 2009 | Zack Greinke (1) | Kansas City Royals | 16–8 | 2.16 | 242 |
| 2008 | Cliff Lee | Cleveland Indians | 22–3 | 2.54 | 170 |
| 2007 | CC Sabathia ‡ | Cleveland Indians | 19–7 | 3.21 | 209 |
| 2006 | Johan Santana $^§$‡(2) | Minnesota Twins | 19–6 | 2.77 | 245 |
| 2005 | Bartolo Colón | Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | 21–8 | 3.48 | 157 |
| 2004 | Johan Santana ‡(1) | Minnesota Twins | 20–6 | 2.61 | 265 |
| 2003 | Roy Halladay $^†$ (1) | Toronto Blue Jays | 22–7 | 3.25 | 204 |
| 2002 | Barry Zito | Oakland Athletics | 23–5 | 2.75 | 182 |
| 2001 | Roger Clemens (5) | New York Yankees | 20–3 | 3.51 | 213 |
| 2000 | Pedro Martínez $^†$ (3) | Boston Red Sox | 18–6 | 1.74 | 284 |
| 1999 | Pedro Martínez $^†$ (2) | Boston Red Sox | 23–4 | 2.07 | 313 |
| 1998 | Roger Clemens (4) | Toronto Blue Jays | 20–6 | 2.65 | 271 |
| 1997 | Roger Clemens (3) | Toronto Blue Jays | 21–7 | 2.05 | 292 |
| 1996 | Pat Hentgen | Toronto Blue Jays | 20–10 | 3.22 | 177 |
| 1995 | Randy Johnson $^†$ | Seattle Mariners | 18–2 | 2.48 | 294 |
| 1994 | Jimmy Key (2) | New York Yankees | 17–4 | 2.48 | 177 |
| 1993 | Jack McDowell | Chicago White Sox | 22–10 | 3.37 | 158 |
| 1992 | Dennis Eckersley $^†$ | Oakland Athletics | 7–1 | 1.91 | 93 |
| 1991 | Roger Clemens (2) | Boston Red Sox | 18–10 | 2.62 | 241 |
| 1990 | Bob Welch | Oakland Athletics | 27–6 | 2.95 | 127 |
| 1989 | Bret Saberhagen (2) | Kansas City Royals | 23–6 | 2.16 | 193 |
| 1988 | Frank Viola | Minnesota Twins | 24–7 | 2.64 | 193 |
| 1987 | Jimmy Key (1) | Toronto Blue Jays | 17–8 | 2.76 | 161 |
| 1986 | Roger Clemens* (1) | Boston Red Sox | 24–4 | 2.48 | 238 |
| 1985 | Bret Saberhagen (1) | Kansas City Royals | 20–6 | 2.87 | 143 |
| 1984 | Willie Hernández | Detroit Tigers | 9–3 | 1.92 | 112 |
| 1983 | LaMarr Hoyt | Chicago White Sox | 24–10 | 3.66 | 148 |
| 1982 | Dave Stieb | Toronto Blue Jays | 17–14 | 3.25 | 138 |
| 1981 | Jack Morris $^†$ | Detroit Tigers | 14–7 | 3.05 | 97 |
| 1980 | Steve Stone | Baltimore Orioles | 25–7 | 3.23 | 149 |
| 1979 | Mike Flanagan | Baltimore Orioles | 23–9 | 3.08 | 190 |
| 1978 | Ron Guidry* | New York Yankees | 25–3 | 1.74 | 248 |
| 1977 | Nolan Ryan $^†$ | California Angels | 19–16 | 2.77 | 341 |
| 1976 | Jim Palmer $^†$(3) | Baltimore Orioles | 22–13 | 2.51 | 159 |
| 1975 | Jim Palmer $^†$ (2) | Baltimore Orioles | 23–11 | 2.09 | 193 |
| 1974 | Catfish Hunter $^†$ | Oakland Athletics | 25–12 | 2.49 | 143 |
| 1973 | Jim Palmer $^†$(1) | Baltimore Orioles | 22–9 | 2.40 | 158 |
| 1972 | Wilbur Wood | Chicago White Sox | 24–17 | 2.51 | 193 |
| 1971 | Vida Blue (1) | Oakland Athletics | 24–8 | 1.82 | 301 |
| 1970 | Sam McDowell | Cleveland Indians | 20–12 | 2.92 | 304 |
| 1969 | Denny McLain (2) | Detroit Tigers | 24–9 | 2.80 | 181 |
| 1968 | Denny McLain* (1) | Detroit Tigers | 31–6 | 1.96 | 280 |
| 1967 | Jim Lonborg | Boston Red Sox | 22–9 | 3.16 | 246 |
| 1966 | Jim Kaat | Minnesota Twins | 25–13 | 2.75 | 205 |
| 1965 | Mudcat Grant | Minnesota Twins | 21–7 | 3.30 | 142 |
| 1964 | Dean Chance | Los Angeles Angels | 20–9 | 1.65 | 207 |
| 1963 | Whitey Ford $^†$(3) | New York Yankees | 24–7 | 2.74 | 189 |
| 1962 | Dick Donovan | Cleveland Indians | 20–10 | 3.59 | 94 |
| 1961 | Whitey Ford $^†$(2) | New York Yankees | 25–4 | 3.21 | 209 |
| 1960 | Chuck Estrada | Baltimore Orioles | 18–11 | 3.58 | 144 |
| 1959 | Early Wynn* $^†$ | Chicago White Sox | 22–10 | 3.17 | 179 |
| 1958 | Bob Turley* | New York Yankees | 21–7 | 2.97 | 168 |
| 1957 | Billy Pierce (2) | Chicago White Sox | 20–12 | 3.26 | 171 |
| 1956 | Billy Pierce (1) | Chicago White Sox | 20–9 | 3.32 | 192 |
| 1955 | Whitey Ford $^†$(1) | New York Yankees | 18–7 | 2.63 | 137 |
| 1954 | Bob Lemon $^†$(3) | Cleveland Indians | 23–7 | 2.72 | 110 |
| 1953 | Bob Porterfield | Washington Senators | 22–10 | 3.35 | 77 |
| 1952 | Bobby Shantz | Philadelphia Athletics | 24–7 | 2.48 | 152 |
| 1951 | Bob Feller $^†$ | Cleveland Indians | 22–8 | 3.50 | 111 |
| 1950 | Bob Lemon $^†$(2) | Cleveland Indians | 23–11 | 3.84 | 170 |
| 1949 | Ellis Kinder | Boston Red Sox | 23–6 | 3.36 | 138 |
| 1948 | Bob Lemon $^†$(1) | Cleveland Indians | 20–14 | 2.82 | 147 |
| 1945 | Hal Newhouser* $^†$$^§$(2) | Detroit Tigers | 25–9 | 1.81 | 212 |
| 1944 | Hal Newhouser $^†$(1) | Detroit Tigers | 29–9 | 2.22 | 187 |

### National League

Listed below in reverse chronological order are the National League pitchers chosen by Sporting News as recipients of the Pitcher of the Year Award.

#### National League starting pitchers

| Year | Pitchers | Team | Record | ERA | K |
| 2024 | Chris Sale (3) | Atlanta Braves | 18–3 | 2.38 | 225 |
| 2023 | Blake Snell ‡ | San Diego Padres | 14–9 | 2.25 | 234 |
| 2022 | Sandy Alcántara | Miami Marlins | 14–9 | 2.28 | 207 |
| 2021 | Max Scherzer (4) | Washington Nationals/Los Angeles Dodgers | 15–4 | 2.46 | 236 |
| 2020 | Jacob deGrom (3) | New York Mets | 4–2 | 2.38 | 104 |
| 2019 | Jacob deGrom (2) | New York Mets | 11–8 | 2.43 | 255 |
| 2018 | Jacob deGrom (1) | New York Mets | 10–9 | 1.70 | 269 |
| 2017 | Max Scherzer (3) | Washington Nationals | 16–6 | 2.51 | 268 |
| 2016 | Max Scherzer (2) | Washington Nationals | 20–7 | 2.96 | 284 |
| 2015 | Zack Greinke (2) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 19–3 | 1.66 | 200 |
| 2014 | Clayton Kershaw* ‡ (3) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 21–3 | 1.77 | 239 |
| 2013 | Clayton Kershaw ‡ (2) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 16–9 | 1.83 | 232 |

#### National League relief pitchers

| Year | Pitchers | Team | Record | ERA | Saves | References |
| 2024 | Ryan Helsley | St. Louis Cardinals | 7–4 | 2.04 | 49 | [185] [186][43] |
| 2024 | Raisel Iglesias | Atlanta Braves | 6–2 | 1.95 | 34 | [187] [188][43] |
| 2023 | Devin Williams (2) | Milwaukee Brewers | 8–3 | 1.56 | 36 | |
| 2022 | Edwin Díaz (2) | New York Mets | 3–1 | 1.31 | 32 | |
| 2021 | Josh Hader (2) | Milwaukee Brewers | 4–2 | 1.23 | 34 | |
| 2020 | Devin Williams (1) | Milwaukee Brewers | 4–1 | 0.33 | 0 | |
| 2019 | Kirby Yates | San Diego Padres | 0–5 | 1.19 | 41 | |
| 2018 | Josh Hader (1) | Milwaukee Brewers | 6–1 | 2.43 | 12 | |
| 2017 | Kenley Jansen (2) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 5–0 | 1.32 | 41 | |
| 2016 | Kenley Jansen (1) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 3–2 | 2.20 | 47 | |
| 2015 | Mark Melancon | Pittsburgh Pirates | 3–2 | 2.23 | 51 | |
| 2014 | Craig Kimbrel (2) | Atlanta Braves | 0–3 | 1.61 | 47 | |
| 2013 | Craig Kimbrel (1) | Atlanta Braves | 4–3 | 1.21 | 50 | |

#### National League pitchers

| Year | National League Pitchers | Team | Record | ERA | K |
| 2012 | R. A. Dickey | New York Mets | 20–6 | 2.73 | 230 |
| 2011 | Clayton Kershaw ‡(1) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 21–5 | 2.28 | 248 |
| 2010 | Roy Halladay $^†$ (2) | Philadelphia Phillies | 21–10 | 2.44 | 219 |
| 2009 | Tim Lincecum (2) | San Francisco Giants | 15–7 | 2.48 | 261 |
| 2008 | Tim Lincecum (1) | San Francisco Giants | 18–5 | 2.62 | 265 |
| 2007 | Jake Peavy | San Diego Padres | 19–6 | 2.54 | 240 |
| 2006 | Chris Carpenter (2) | St. Louis Cardinals | 15–8 | 3.09 | 184 |
| 2005 | Chris Carpenter (1) | St. Louis Cardinals | 21–5 | 2.83 | 213 |
| 2004 | Jason Schmidt | San Francisco Giants | 18–7 | 3.49 | 206 |
| 2003 | Éric Gagné | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2–3 | 1.20 | 137 |
| 2002 | Curt Schilling (2) | Arizona Diamondbacks | 23–7 | 3.23 | 316 |
| 2001 | Curt Schilling (1) | Arizona Diamondbacks | 22–6 | 2.98 | 293 |
| 2000 | Tom Glavine $^†$(2) | Atlanta Braves | 21–9 | 3.40 | 152 |
| 1999 | Mike Hampton | Houston Astros | 22–4 | 2.90 | 177 |
| 1998 | Kevin Brown | San Diego Padres | 18–7 | 2.38 | 257 |
| 1997 | Pedro Martínez $^†$ (1) | Montreal Expos | 17–8 | 1.90 | 305 |
| 1996 | John Smoltz $^†$ | Atlanta Braves | 24–8 | 2.94 | 276 |
| 1995 | Greg Maddux $^†$(4) | Atlanta Braves | 19–2 | 1.63 | 181 |
| 1994 | Greg Maddux $^†$(3) | Atlanta Braves | 16–6 | 1.56 | 156 |
| 1993 | Greg Maddux $^†$(2) | Atlanta Braves | 20–10 | 2.36 | 197 |
| 1992 | Greg Maddux $^†$(1) | Chicago Cubs | 20–11 | 2.18 | 199 |
| 1991 | Tom Glavine $^†$(1) | Atlanta Braves | 20–11 | 2.55 | 192 |
| 1990 | Doug Drabek | Pittsburgh Pirates | 22–6 | 2.76 | 131 |
| 1989 | Mark Davis | San Diego Padres | 4–3 | 1.85 | 92 |
| 1988 | Orel Hershiser* | Los Angeles Dodgers | 23–8 | 2.26 | 213 |
| 1987 | Rick Sutcliffe (2) | Chicago Cubs | 18–10 | 3.68 | 174 |
| 1986 | Mike Scott | Houston Astros | 18–10 | 2.22 | 306 |
| 1985 | Dwight Gooden $^§$ | New York Mets | 24–4 | 1.53 | 268 |
| 1984 | Rick Sutcliffe (1) | Chicago Cubs | 16–1 | 2.69 | 155 |
| 1983 | John Denny | Philadelphia Phillies | 19–6 | 2.37 | 139 |
| 1982 | Steve Carlton $^†$(4) | Philadelphia Phillies | 23–11 | 3.10 | 286 |
| 1981 | Fernando Valenzuela* ** | Los Angeles Dodgers | 13–7 | 2.48 | 180 |
| 1980 | Steve Carlton $^†$(3) | Philadelphia Phillies | 24–9 | 2.34 | 286 |
| 1979 | Joe Niekro | Houston Astros | 21–11 | 3.00 | 119 |
| 1978 | Vida Blue (2) | San Francisco Giants | 18–10 | 2.79 | 171 |
| 1977 | Steve Carlton $^†$(2) | Philadelphia Phillies | 23–10 | 2.64 | 198 |
| 1976 | Randy Jones | San Diego Padres | 22–14 | 2.74 | 93 |
| 1975 | Tom Seaver $^†$ (2) | New York Mets | 22–9 | 2.38 | 243 |
| 1974 | Mike Marshall | Los Angeles Dodgers | 15–12 | 2.42 | 143 |
| 1973 | Ron Bryant | San Francisco Giants | 24–12 | 3.53 | 143 |
| 1972 | Steve Carlton $^†$(1) | Philadelphia Phillies | 27–10 | 1.97 | 310 |
| 1971 | Ferguson Jenkins $^†$ | Chicago Cubs | 24–13 | 2.77 | 263 |
| 1970 | Bob Gibson $^†$(2) | St. Louis Cardinals | 23–7 | 3.12 | 274 |
| 1969 | Tom Seaver $^†$(1) | New York Mets | 25–7 | 2.21 | 208 |
| 1968 | Bob Gibson $^†$(1) | St. Louis Cardinals | 22–9 | 1.12 | 268 |
| 1967 | Mike McCormick | San Francisco Giants | 22–10 | 2.85 | 150 |
| 1966 | Sandy Koufax $^†$$^§$(4) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 27–9 | 1.73 | 317 |
| 1965 | Sandy Koufax* $^†$$^§$ (3) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 26–8 | 2.04 | 382 |
| 1964 | Sandy Koufax $^†$(2) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 19–5 | 1.74 | 223 |
| 1963 | Sandy Koufax* $^†$$^§$(1) | Los Angeles Dodgers | 25–5 | 1.88 | 306 |
| 1962 | Don Drysdale* $^†$ | Los Angeles Dodgers | 25–9 | 2.83 | 232 |
| 1961 | Warren Spahn $^†$(4) | Milwaukee Braves | 21–13 | 3.02 | 115 |
| 1960 | Vern Law | Pittsburgh Pirates | 20–9 | 3.08 | 120 |
| 1959 | Sam Jones | San Francisco Giants | 21–15 | 2.83 | 209 |
| 1958 | Warren Spahn $^†$(3) | Milwaukee Braves | 22–11 | 3.07 | 150 |
| 1957 | Warren Spahn $^†$(2) | Milwaukee Braves | 21–11 | 2.69 | 111 |
| 1956 | Don Newcombe | Brooklyn Dodgers | 27–7 | 3.06 | 139 |
| 1955 | Robin Roberts $^†$(2) | Philadelphia Phillies | 23–14 | 3.28 | 160 |
| 1954 | Johnny Antonelli | New York Giants | 21–7 | 2.30 | 152 |
| 1953 | Warren Spahn $^†$(1) | Milwaukee Braves | 23–7 | 2.10 | 148 |
| 1952 | Robin Roberts* $^†$(1) | Philadelphia Phillies | 28–7 | 2.59 | 148 |
| 1951 | Preacher Roe | Brooklyn Dodgers | 22–3 | 2.93 | 146 |
| 1950 | Jim Konstanty | Philadelphia Phillies | 16–7 | 2.66 | 56 |
| 1949 | Howie Pollet | St. Louis Cardinals | 20–9 | 2.77 | 108 |
| 1948 | Johnny Sain | Boston Braves | 24–15 | 2.60 | 137 |
| 1945 | Hank Borowy | Chicago Cubs | 11–2 | 2.12 | 47 |
| 1944 | Bill Voiselle | New York Giants | 21–16 | 3.02 | 161 |

## Players
### Multiple wins

Several players have won the Pitcher of the Year Award more than once:
* Bob Lemon was the first player to win the award 3 times.
* Warren Spahn was the first to win the award 4 times and won his last award at the age of 40.
* Roger Clemens was the first to win the award 5 times.
* Sandy Koufax (1963–1966) and Greg Maddux (1992–1995) won the award 4 consecutive years.
* Pedro Martínez, Roy Halladay, Vida Blue, Zack Greinke, and Edwin Díaz won the award in the National League and American League.
* Max Scherzer won the award 4 times, once in AL and three times in NL.
| Rank | Pitcher | # of Awards | Years |
| 1 | Roger Clemens | 5 | 1986, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001 |
| 2 | Steve Carlton $^†$ | 4 | 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982 |
| 2 | Sandy Koufax $^†$ | 4 | 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966 |
| 2 | Greg Maddux $^†$ | 4 | 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 |
| 2 | Warren Spahn $^†$ | 4 | 1953, 1957, 1958, 1961 |
| 2 | Max Scherzer | 4 | 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021 |
| 7 | Whitey Ford $^†$ | 3 | 1955, 1961, 1963 |
| 7 | Bob Lemon $^†$ | 3 | 1948, 1950, 1954 |
| 7 | Pedro Martínez $^†$ | 3 | 1997, 1999, 2000 |
| 7 | Jim Palmer $^†$ | 3 | 1973, 1975, 1976 |
| 7 | Gerrit Cole | 3 | 2019, 2021, 2023 |
| 7 | Jacob deGrom | 3 | 2018, 2019, 2020 |
| 7 | Liam Hendriks | 3 | 2019, 2020, 2021 |
| 7 | Clayton Kershaw | 3 | 2011, 2013, 2014 |
| 7 | Craig Kimbrel | 3 | 2013, 2014, 2017 |
| 7 | Chris Sale | 3 | 2017, 2018, 2024 |
| 7 | Justin Verlander | 3 | 2011, 2012, 2022 |
| 17 | Bob Gibson $^†$ | 2 | 1968, 1970 |
| 17 | Tom Glavine $^†$ | 2 | 1991, 2000 |
| 17 | Roy Halladay $^†$ | 2 | 2003, 2010 |
| 17 | Hal Newhouser $^†$ | 2 | 1944, 1945 |
| 17 | Robin Roberts $^†$ | 2 | 1952, 1953 |
| 17 | Tom Seaver $^†$ | 2 | 1969, 1975 |
| 17 | Vida Blue | 2 | 1971, 1978 |
| 17 | Chris Carpenter | 2 | 2005, 2006 |
| 17 | Zack Greinke | 2 | 2009, 2015 |
| 17 | Jimmy Key | 2 | 1987, 1994 |
| 17 | Denny McLain | 2 | 1968, 1969 |
| 17 | Billy Pierce | 2 | 1956, 1957 |
| 17 | Bret Saberhagen | 2 | 1985, 1989 |
| 17 | Johan Santana | 2 | 2004, 2006 |
| 17 | Curt Schilling | 2 | 2001, 2002 |
| 17 | Rick Sutcliffe | 2 | 1984, 1987 |
| 17 | Tim Lincecum | 2 | 2008, 2009 |
| 17 | Dellin Betances | 2 | 2014, 2015 |
| 17 | Edwin Díaz | 2 | 2019, 2022 |
| 17 | Josh Hader | 2 | 2018, 2021 |
| 17 | Félix Hernández | 2 | 2010, 2014 |
| 17 | Kenley Jansen | 2 | 2016, 2017 |
| 17 | Devin Williams | 2 | 2019, 2023 |

### MLB Triple Crown

Only five Pitcher of the Year Award winners have led the major leagues in wins, ERA and strikeouts which is commonly called the Pitching Triple Crown. Below is a complete list including individuals before the award was created.
* Sandy Koufax is the only player to achieve it more than once. Koufax achieved it three times in a four-year period.
* Hal Newhouser, age 24 and Dwight Gooden, age 20 were the youngest individuals.
* Shane Bieber, age 26 was the last player to achieve this feat.
* Johan Santana, age 27, is the fifth individual.
* Walter Johnson and Lefty Grove achieved it twice before the award began.
| Year | Player | Team | League | ERA | W | K | Rating |
| 1913 | Walter Johnson$^†$(1) | Washington Senators | AL | 1.14* | 36* | 243* | 12.71 |
| 1915 | Grover Cleveland Alexander$^†$ | Philadelphia Phillies | NL | 1.22* | 31* | 241* | 12.62 |
| 1918 | Walter Johnson$^†$ (2) | Washington Senators | AL | 1.27* | 23* | 162* | 10.00 |
| 1924 | Dazzy Vance$^†$ | Brooklyn Robins | NL | 2.16* | 28* | 262* | 9.80 |
| 1930 | Lefty Grove$^†$ (1) | Philadelphia Athletics | AL | 2.54* | 28* | 209* | 8.47 |
| 1931 | Lefty Grove$^†$ (2) | Philadelphia Athletics | AL | 2.06* | 31* | 175* | 9.09 |
| 1945 | Hal Newhouser$^†$ | Detroit Tigers | AL | 1.81* | 25* | 212* | 9.62 |
| 1963 | Sandy Koufax$^†$ (1) | Los Angeles Dodgers | NL | 1.88* | 25* | 306* | 10.41 |
| 1965 | Sandy Koufax$^†$ (2) | Los Angeles Dodgers | NL | 2.04* | 26* | 382* | 11.39 |
| 1966 | Sandy Koufax$^†$ (3) | Los Angeles Dodgers | NL | 1.73* | 27* | 317* | 11.15 |
| 1985 | Dwight Gooden | New York Mets | NL | 1.53* | 24* | 268* | 9.88 |
| 2006 | Johan Santana | Minnesota Twins | AL | 2.77* | 19* | 245* | 6.96 |
| 2020 | Shane Bieber | Cleveland Indians | AL | 1.63* | 8* | 122* | 3.32 |

### MLB Hall of Fame predictor

Winning three or more Pitcher or Starting Pitcher of the Year Awards has been seen as a strong indicator of future admission to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame (as active players are not eligible for the Hall of Fame). All of the eligible pitchers with three or more awards have been elected to the Hall of Fame, with one exception: Roger Clemens has the most (five) Pitcher of the Year Awards, is in the top ten for all-time wins and strikeouts, and is considered to be one of the best pitchers of all time. Clemens' alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs is the major stumbling block to be elected to the Hall of Fame.
Starting pitchers that have won three or more Pitcher of the Year Awards and the year they were inducted into Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Active player statistics are through the 2023 season.
| Pitcher | # of Awards | Years | HOF Year | Wins | ERA | Ks |
| Steve Carlton $^†$ | 4 | 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982 | 1994 | 329 | 3.22 | 4,136 |
| Sandy Koufax $^†$ | 4 | 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966 | 1972 | 165 | 2.76 | 2,396 |
| Greg Maddux $^†$ | 4 | 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 | 2014 | 355 | 3.16 | 3,371 |
| Warren Spahn $^†$ | 4 | 1953, 1957, 1958, 1961 | 1973 | 363 | 3.09 | 2,583 |
| Max Scherzer | 4 | 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021 | Active-Not Eligible | 216 | 3.16 | 3,407 |
| Whitey Ford $^†$ | 3 | 1955, 1961, 1963 | 1974 | 236 | 2.75 | 1,956 |
| Bob Lemon $^†$ | 3 | 1948, 1950, 1954 | 1976 | 207 | 3.23 | 1,277 |
| Pedro Martínez $^†$ | 3 | 1997, 1999, 2000 | 2015 | 219 | 2.93 | 3,154 |
| Jim Palmer $^†$ | 3 | 1973, 1975, 1976 | 1990 | 268 | 2.86 | 2,212 |
| Gerrit Cole | 3 | 2019, 2021, 2023 | Active-Not Eligible | 153 | 3.18 | 2,252 |
| Jacob deGrom | 3 | 2018, 2019, 2020 | Active-Not Eligible | 84 | 2.52 | 1,666 |
| Chris Sale | 3 | 2017, 2018, 2024 | Active-Not Eligible | 138 | 3.04 | 2,414 |
| Clayton Kershaw | 3 | 2011, 2013, 2014 | Active-Not Eligible | 212 | 2.50 | 2,968 |
| Justin Verlander | 3 | 2011, 2012, 2022 | Active-Not Eligible | 262 | 3.30 | 3,416 |
| Roger Clemens | 5 | 1986, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001 | – | 354 | 3.12 | 4,672 |

### MLB Hall of Famers

MLB Hall of Famers that won the SN Pitchers of the Year award.
| Pitcher | # of Awards | Years |
| Steve Carlton $^†$ | 4 | 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982 |
| Sandy Koufax $^†$ | 4 | 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966 |
| Greg Maddux $^†$ | 4 | 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 |
| Warren Spahn $^†$ | 4 | 1953, 1957, 1958, 1961 |
| Whitey Ford $^†$ | 3 | 1955, 1961, 1963 |
| Bob Lemon $^†$ | 3 | 1948, 1950, 1954 |
| Pedro Martínez $^†$ | 3 | 1997, 1999, 2000 |
| Jim Palmer $^†$ | 3 | 1973, 1975, 1976 |
| Bob Gibson $^†$ | 2 | 1968, 1970 |
| Tom Glavine $^†$ | 2 | 1991, 2000 |
| Roy Halladay $^†$ | 2 | 2003, 2010 |
| Hal Newhouser $^†$ | 2 | 1944, 1945 |
| Robin Roberts $^†$ | 2 | 1952, 1953 |
| Tom Seaver $^†$ | 2 | 1969, 1975 |
| Don Drysdale $^†$ | 1 | 1992 |
| Dennis Eckersley $^†$ | 1 | 1962 |
| Bob Feller $^†$ | 1 | 1951 |
| Catfish Hunter $^†$ | 1 | 1974 |
| Ferguson Jenkins $^†$ | 1 | 1971 |
| Randy Johnson $^†$ | 1 | 1995 |
| Jack Morris $^†$ | 1 | 1981 |
| Nolan Ryan $^†$ | 1 | 1977 |
| John Smoltz $^†$ | 1 | 1996 |
| Early Wynn $^†$ | 1 | 1959 |

### 300 and 3,000 club members

Ten pitchers have recorded 300 wins and 3,000 strikeouts. A list of these elite pitchers with the years they won the Pitcher of the Year Award is below. Only two pitchers, Walter Johnson and Tom Seaver, have a career ERA below 3.00. Four pitchers have more than 4,000 career strikeouts. Walter Johnson is the best in wins, complete games, shutouts, ERA and WHIP. Nolan Ryan has the most strikeouts.
| Pitcher | SN Pitcher of the Years | Wins | ERA | Ks | WHIP | CG | SHO | War for Pitchers | War per Year | Career Rating | Rating per Year | T |
| Steve Carlton $^†$ | 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982 | 329 | 3.22 | 4,136 | 1.247 | 254 | 55 | 84.13 | 3.501 | 120.70 | 5.029 | L |
| Roger Clemens | 1986, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001 | 354 | 3.12 | 4,672 | 1.173 | 100 | 38 | 138.7 | 5.78 | 128.34 | 5.35 | R |
| Randy Johnson $^†$ | 1995 | 303 | 3.29 | 4,875 | 1.171 | 100 | 37 | 103.53 | 4.71 | 114.41 | 5.20 | L |
| Walter Johnson $^†$ | - | 417 | 2.17 | 3,508 | 1.061 | 531 | 110 | 152.36 | 7.26 | 160.48 | 7.64 | R |
| Greg Maddux $^†$ | 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 | 355 | 3.16 | 3,371 | 1.143 | 109 | 35 | 104.78 | 4.56 | 115.29 | 5.01 | R |
| Phil Niekro $^†$ | - | 318 | 3.35 | 3,342 | 1.268 | 245 | 45 | 96.97 | 4.04 | 109.81 | 4.58 | R |
| Gaylord Perry $^†$ | - | 314 | 3.11 | 3,534 | 1.181 | 303 | 53 | 93.03 | 4.29 | 117.30 | 5.33 | R |
| Nolan Ryan $^†$ | 1977 | 324 | 3.19 | 5,714 | 1.247 | 222 | 61 | 83.6 | 3.10 | 138.29 | 5.12 | R |
| Tom Seaver $^†$ | 1969, 1975 | 311 | 2.86 | 3,640 | 1.121 | 231 | 61 | 106.07 | 5.31 | 118.68 | 5.93 | R |
| Don Sutton $^†$ | - | 324 | 3.26 | 3,574 | 1.142 | 178 | 58 | 68.28 | 2.97 | 114.10 | 4.96 | R |

### Battle of Pitchers of the Year

It is a rare occurrence when reigning Pitcher of the Year winners face off against each other.
* A pitching duel occurred on August 28, 1989, when Frank Viola (WP: 10–15, 9IP, 5K, 3H, 0BB, 0R) of New York Mets pitched a complete-game shutout defeating Orel Hershiser (LP:14-10, 8IP, 4K, 8H, 1BB, 1ER) of the Dodgers 1–0.
* On May 9, 2013, Toronto's R. A. Dickey (6IP, 5K, 5H, 5BB, 2ER) pitched against David Price (8IP, 8K, 7H, 1BB, 2ER) of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays won in 10 innings, 5–4, and neither starting pitcher got a decision.
* Arizona's Zach Greinke (WP:7-3, 11K, 7IP, 4H, 0BB, 0R) bested (3–0) Houston's Dallas Keuchel (LP:3-7, 6IP, 6K, 6H, 1BB, 3 ER) on June 2, 2016.

### The lost years

The award was suspended for 1946–1947. A list of the lost year's top two pitchers in each league based on a pitcher rating composed of wins, ERA and strikeouts is below. A pitcher rating of 6.0 is considered very good. A rating of 9.00 (1.5*6) is rare. Bob Feller and Hal Newhouser in 1946 AL had a rating above 9.
| Year | League | Pitcher | Team | Record | ERA | K | WHIP | Rating |
| 1947 | AL | Bob Feller $^†$ | Cleveland Indians | 20–11 | 2.68 | 196 | 1.194 | 7.43 |
| 1947 | AL | Phil Marchildon | Philadelphia Athletics | 19–9 | 3.22 | 128 | 1.334 | 5.65 |
| 1946 | AL | Bob Feller $^†$ | Cleveland Indians | 26–15 | 2.18 | 348 | 1.158 | 11.32 |
| 1946 | AL | Hal Newhouser $^†$ | Detroit Tigers | 26–9 | 1.94 | 275 | 1.069 | 9.83 |
| 1947 | NL | Ewell Blackwell | Cincinnati Reds | 22–8 | 2.47 | 193 | 1.179 | 7.59 |
| 1947 | NL | Warren Spahn $^†$ | Boston Braves | 21–10 | 2.33 | 123 | 1.136 | 7.20 |
| 1946 | NL | Howie Pollet | St. Louis Cardinals | 21–10 | 2.10 | 107 | 1.180 | 7.03 |
| 1946 | NL | Johnny Sain | Boston Braves | 20–14 | 2.21 | 129 | 1.177 | 6.99 |

## Organizations

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the only organization whose pitchers have won the Pitcher of the Year Award in 5 consecutive years: 1962–1966 (Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax) and 2013–2017 (Kershaw, Greinke and Jansen). Los Angeles (Brooklyn) Dodgers pitchers have won the award 18 times ; Atlanta (Boston and Milwaukee) Braves pitchers have won the award 13 times. The following three (3) organizations have never had a pitcher win the award: Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, and Texas Rangers.
The Detroit Tigers have three pitchers who have won consecutive awards — Hal Newhouser (1944–1945), Denny McLain (1968–1969) and Justin Verlander (2011–2012). Each was also Player of the Year and AL MVP at least once while being Pitcher of the Year.
The Atlanta (Boston and Milwaukee) Braves also have three pitchers who have won consecutive awards — Warren Spahn (1957–1958), Greg Maddux (1992–1995) and Craig Kimbrel (2013–2014).
| Rank | Team | # of Awards | Years |
| 1 | Los Angeles/Brooklyn Dodgers | 18 | 1951, 1956, 1962–1966, 1974, 1981, 1988, 2003, 2011, 2013–2017, 2021 |
| 2 | Atlanta/Milwaukee/Boston Braves | 15 | 1948, 1953, 1957–1958, 1961, 1991, 1993–1996, 2000, 2013–2014, 2024(2) |
| 3 | Cleveland Indians/Guardians | 12 | 1948, 1950–1951, 1954, 1962, 1970, 2007–2008, 2016, 2020, 2022, 2024 |
| 3 | New York Yankees | 12 | 1955, 1958, 1961, 1963, 1978, 1994, 2001, 2014–2015, 2021, 2023 |
| 5 | Detroit Tigers | 10 | 1944–1945, 1968–1969, 1981, 1984, 2011–2013, 2024 |
| 6 | Boston Red Sox | 9 | 1949, 1967, 1986, 1991, 1999, 2000, 2017(2), 2018 |
| 6 | Philadelphia Phillies | 9 | 1950, 1952, 1955, 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982–1983, 2010 |
| 6 | San Francisco/New York Giants | 9 | 1944, 1954, 1959, 1967, 1973, 1978, 2004, 2008–2009 |
| 9 | Baltimore Orioles | 8 | 1960, 1973, 1975–1976, 1979–1980, 2016, 2023 |
| 9 | New York Mets | 8 | 1969, 1975, 1985, 2012, 2018–2020, 2022 |
| 9 | Oakland/Philadelphia Athletics | 8 | 1952, 1971, 1974, 1990, 1992, 2002, 2019–2020 |
| 12 | Chicago White Sox | 7 | 1956–1957, 1959, 1972, 1983, 1993, 2021 |
| 13 | Houston Astros | 6 | 1979, 1986, 1999, 2015, 2019, 2022 |
| 13 | Minnesota Twins/Washington Senators | 6 | 1953, 1965–1966, 1988, 2004, 2006 |
| 13 | San Diego Padres | 6 | 1976, 1989, 1998, 2007, 2019, 2023 |
| 13 | St. Louis Cardinals | 6 | 1949, 1968, 1970, 2005–2006, 2024 |
| 13 | Toronto Blue Jays | 6 | 1982, 1987, 1996–1998, 2003 |
| 17 | Chicago Cubs | 5 | 1945, 1971, 1984, 1987, 1992 |
| 19 | Kansas City Royals | 4 | 1985, 1989, 2009, 2013 |
| 19 | Milwaukee Brewers | 4 | 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023 |
| 19 | Washington Nationals/Montreal Expos | 4 | 1997, 2016, 2017, 2021 |
| 19 | Seattle Mariners | 4 | 1995, 2010, 2014, 2018 |
| 23 | Los Angeles (California) Angels (of Anaheim) | 3 | 1964, 1977, 2005 |
| 23 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 3 | 1960, 1990, 2015 |
| 25 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 2 | 2001–2002 |
| 26 | Miami Marlins | 1 | 2022 |
| 26 | Tampa Bay Rays | 1 | 2012 |
| 28 | Cincinnati Reds | 0 | none |
| 28 | Colorado Rockies | 0 | none |
| 28 | Texas Rangers | 0 | none |