Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers was the only multiple winner of the Cy Young Award in the first 11 years.
If there had been one in each league handed out, Warren Spahn would have been first.
In 1957, Spahn’s helped the Milwaukee Braves to a World Series victory as he won the award with a 21-11 record and a 2.69 ERA.
The following season, Spahn led the NL with a 22-11 mark as the Braves won the pennant. He also led the way with 23 complete games and did finish second in the Cy Young balloting. He would also be the runner-up for the award in 1960 and 1961.
Bob Turley of the New York Yankees won the award in 1958 with five votes, while Spahn had four. Lew Burdette, who was Spahn’s teammate, and Bob Friend of the Pittsburgh Pirates each had three votes.
Spahn was 363-245 during his 21-year career in the majors from 1942 to 1965. He led the National League in wins eight times, strikeouts four times and ERA on three occasions, while throwing a pair of no-hitters in 1960 and 1961.
He also missed three seasons early in his career by enlisting in the military from 1943 to 1945. His service has been well documented as he received a Purple Heart and was in the Battle of the Bulge.
A 17-time all-star, he pitched for the Braves in Boston and Milwaukee in 1942 and from 1946 to 1964. The 1965 season was his last as he split time with the New York Mets and the Giants.
After winning over 20-games in a season 13 times, Spahn was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973.
1958 VOTING FOR CY YOUNG AWARD
Bob Turley (New York Yankees) 5
Warren Spahn (Milwaukee Braves) 4
Lew Burdette (Milwaukee Braves) 3
Bob Friend (Pittsburgh Pirates) 3
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)
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.