The top prize for major league pitchers is the Cy Young Award, which was established in 1956 after the legendary hurler passed away the year before.
Since 1967, the annual honor 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.
Don Newcombe of the Brooklyn Dodgers won the first award in 1956. Who would have won the AL Cy Young in 1956?
Sandy Koufax was the first multiple winner for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1963, 1965 and 1966.
Would there have been another pitcher to win more than one, if there had been two honored each season by the baseball writers?
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)