page_title: Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award
section_title: National League Pitchers
hierarchical_section_title: Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award / Winners / National League Awardees / National League Pitchers
caption_attribution_description: English: Publicity still photograph of Sandy Koufax
context_page_description: Sporting News established the Pitcher of the Year Award in 1944 to recognize the most outstanding pitchers in Major League Baseball. Until the award was replaced by two separate ones in 2013, it was given annually to one pitcher each in the American League and National League. No awards were given in 1946 or 1947. 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. 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 Sporting News baseball experts.
caption: Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, 4-time consecutive NL winner.
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