King Felix Won’t Be Alone: Five Should Be Cy Young Winners Since 1980

Even casual baseball fans will agree: Felix Hernandez has been the best pitcher in the American League this year. But because of long held biases emphasizing the importance of a pitcher’s record, he’s unlikely to take home any awards this year. Here are five other pitchers that have pitched well but missed out on the Cy Young.

2002: Pedro Martinez Loses out to Barry Zito’s 23-5 Campaign

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: Fans of the New York Yankees hold up a sign which reads 'Who's Your Daddy' in reference to Pedro Martinez #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx

In the late '90s and early 2000s, Pedro Martinez was absolutely dominant. In 2000, he pitched perhaps the greatest season in baseball history—allowing less than one batter to reach base per inning (less than three-quarters of a batter, in fact!). In 2002, after an injury plagued 2001 season, Martinez was spectacular, leading the league in strikeouts and ERA despite pitching under 200 innings. He again allowed less than one base runner per inning and even managed a stellar 20-4 record, but he lost to Barry Zito.

1999: Kevin Brown Dominates; Loses to Tom Glavine

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ANAHEIM, CA - JULY 23: Kevin Brown #27 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on July 23, 2005 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Alleged wall-puncher Kevin Brown bested Tom Glavine by 100 strikeouts, allowed fewer walks, and even had a lower ERA. than 1999’s National League Cy Young winner. He even pitched an impressive 257 innings that season. But he managed two less wins than Glavine’s 20 and missed out on the Cy Young.

1990: Roger Clemens Goes 21-6, 1.93 ERA, but Is Beaten by Bob Welsh

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HOUSTON - JANUARY 31: Roger Clemens pitches during batting practice at the Nolan Ryan and Jeff Bagwell Elite Camp on January 31, 2008 at the Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

In what may have been his best Boston (read: pre steroid) years, the "Rocket" led the league in strikeout-to-walk ratio and had an ERA under two—a feat he would only repeat once. Unlike some of the other candidates on this list, Clemens managed a very respectable 21-6 record on a decent Boston team. Welch, on the other hand, had an ERA more than a run higher, fewer strikeouts, and more walks than Clemens, with only ten more innings pitched (Clemens only managed 30 starts that year). But Welch garnered an impressive 27-6 record and took home the award.

1987: Nolan Ryan Leads League in ERA and K's, but Comes in Fifth

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1992: Pitcher Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers winds up for the pitch during spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

Over his 27-year career, Ryan threw seven no hitters—easily the most in history. He holds the record (and it’s not even close) for most strikeouts in a career with 5,714. Somehow, despite being a dominant pitcher, Ryan managed to never take home pitching’s ultimate honor: the Cy Young. In 1987, Ryan was again sawing through bats (at age 40 no less!), leading the league with 270 strikeouts. He commanded the strike zone well, dishing out 3.10 K’s before issuing a walk. He even lead the league with a 2.76 ERA. Yet, playing on a poor Houston Astros team, Ryan only managed an 8-16 record, coming in fifth in the voting and losing to a reliever with a higher ERA.

1984: Doc Gooden Loses to Rick Sutcliffe

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30 Sep 1998: Pitcher Dwight Gooden #16 of the Cleveland Indians in action during the American League Division Playoff Series Game 2 against the Boston Red Sox at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Red Sox 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Mat

Dwight Gooden’s rookie campaign was spectacular and a harbinger of greatness to come in his 1985 Cy Young campaign.  In his 1984 season, Gooden was dominant: he lead the league in strikeouts, base runners per inning, and hits per nine innings.  But what makes his 1984 snubbing egregious? He bested winner Rick Sutcliffe in wins, ERA, innings, strikeouts, and base runners per inning but still took second place in the voting.