Chuck Estrada played seven years in the major leagues, but it was his first season that was the most special.
As a rookie with the Baltimore Orioles in 1960, Estrada led the American League in victories as he posted an 18-11 record.
Named to both all-star games that summer, Estrada pitched an inning in the first contest.
One of his best games of the season was a two-hitter in Kansas City in June as the Orioles won 9-2. In July, he allowed five hits as he tossed 11 innings in Baltimore as the Orioles defeated Detroit 2-1. One month later, he again held the Tigers to five hits in Detroit with 12 strikeouts in a 9-3 win.
Two things make Estrada the top candidate for the AL Cy Young Award. First, he was second in the rookie of the year balloting to teammate Ron Hansen, who hit 22 homers with 86 RBI. He was also the top pitcher in the voting for the AL Most Valuable Player as he finished 12th overall. Next on the list of pitchers was another one of Estrada’a teammates as Steve Barber was 20th.
In 1961, Estrada was 15-9, but he led the AL in walks. The following year, he had the most losses in the league with a 9-17 mark.
Estrada finished his career with 50-44 record. He pitched with the Orioles until 1964 before ending his time in the big leagues with the Chicago Cubs in 1966 and the New York Mets in 1967.
1960 VOTING FOR CY YOUNG AWARD
Vern Law (Pittsburgh Pirates) 8
Warren Spahn (Milwaukee Braves) 4
Ernie Broglio (St. Louis Cardinals) 1
Lindy McDaniel (St. Louis Cardinals) 1
PRESS ROOM PASS CY YOUNG AWARD WINNERS (1956-1966)
1956 – Billy Pierce Chicago White Sox (20-9)
1957 – Jim Bunning Detroit Tigers (20–8)
1958 – Warren Spahn Milwaukee Braves (22–11)
1959 – Sam Jones San Francisco Giants (21–15)
1960 – Chuck Estrada Baltimore Orioles (18-11)
CY YOUNG AWARD WINNERS (1956-1966)
1956 – Don Newcombe Brooklyn Dodgers (27–7)
1957 – Warren Spahn Milwaukee Braves (21–11)
1958 – Bob Turley New York Yankees (21–7)
1959 – Early Wynn Chicago White Sox (22–10)
1960 – Vern Law Pittsburgh Pirates (20–9)
1961 – Whitey Ford New York Yankees (25–4)
1962 – Don Drysdale Los Angeles Dodgers (25–9)
1963 – Sandy Koufax Los Angeles Dodgers (25–5)
1964 – Dean Chance Los Angeles Angels (20–9)
1965 – Sandy Koufax Los Angeles Dodgers (26–8)
1966 – Sandy Koufax Los Angeles Dodgers (27–9)
Since 1967, the Cy Young Award has been handed out to the best pitcher in the American and National leagues. However, during the first 11 years of the award there was only one winner.
This series will take a look at who might have won the award, if there had been winners in both leagues in the early years.