R.A. Dickey: Could the Mets Knuckleballer Really Win the 2012 Cy Young Award?

Moments ago, R.A. Dickey completed a complete game one-hitter, with the only hit being a first inning infield single by B.J. Upton. Dickey put forth an amazing effort, appearing to be extremely focused and in complete control for the entire game. 

His knuckleball was accurate the entire game, evidenced by Dickey giving up no walks over nine innings (an extreme rarity for a knuckleballer, as they're usually relatively wild). It's almost scary how much control Dickey is having over his masterful knuckleball, as he is able to change speed at will and is hitting his spots consistently. 

If Dickey can keep this up, he'll be this year's NL Cy Young winner. If the season ended today, I don't think it could be argued that he wouldn't win the award. But for proof, let's take a look at his numbers after tonight's game. 

At the moment, Dickey is 10-1 with a 2.20 ERA and 90 strikeouts, surrendering only 19 walks. Dickey is on pace to end up with an incredible record of 26-3. While conventional wisdom would say that he's bound to slow down, I don't see any end in sight to his remarkable season.

Dickey has been incredibly sharp all season long, and has only given up more than three runs in a start one time this season.

In his last five starts, he has one earned run. That's about as close to perfect as you can possibly get in the span of a month. He's averaging almost nine strikeouts per start—not per nine innings, per start.

Just amazing. 

Also helping R.A. Dickey in his quest to win a Cy Young is his remarkable story. He released an autobiography in the off-season, detailing the struggles that he dealt with as a kid and as a young adult. It's a truly heartfelt story and only enhances his current achievements due to what he had to go through as a youth.

If it's a toss up for the vote at the end of the season, Dickey's likeability and story will likely win over voters who are on the fence.

As a lifelong Met fan, I can't ever remember being as proud of a pitcher over the course of the first half of the season as I have been with Dickey. He's a good guy, and I'm really happy that he's been able to fight through a lot of adversity and is having success, and is arguably the best pitcher in the majors at the moment.

It's been a fun season, and I can't wait for what's to come. Hopefully, Dickey can keep it up and bring the Cy Young award back to the Mets.

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