A dominating season by Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers left everyone behind in the Cy Young Award balloting in 1963 as he was the first unanimous section for the honor, but the lefty didn’t leave much doubt as to who was the top overall player in the majors as he named also the National League’s Most Valuable Player.
One would think that would leave several possiblities if there had been an American League Cy Young winner.
AL Rookie of the Year Gary Peters of the Chicago White Sox (19-8) and ace releiver Dick Radatz of the Boston Red Sox (15-6, 23 Saves) had seasons worth of consideration, but the pitcher known as the Chairman of the Board might have had his best year.
Whitey Ford of the New York Yankees was the top pitcher in the majors in 1961 and he would have likely claimed a second Cy Young Award in 1963.
Ford led the AL with a 24-7 record as the Yankees reached the World Series where they were stymied by Koufax and the Dodgers. He also topped the league in winning percentage (.774), starts (37) and innings pitched (269.1). Ironically, he was not a participant the in the mid-summer classic.
In his 16-year career, Ford was 236-106. After the 1950 season, he spent two years in the service during the Korean War before returning in 1953.
The list of accomplishments on Ford’s resume is extensive, including six world championships, 10 all-star appearances and 10 wins in World Series competition.
Retiring after the 1967 season, Ford was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974 with teammate and fellow Yankee legend Mickey Mantle.
1963 VOTING FOR CY YOUNG AWARD
Sandy Koufax (Los Angeles Dodgers) 20, unanimous
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)
1961 – Joey Jay Cincinnati Reds (21–10)
1962 – Dick Donovan Cleveland Indians (20–10)
1963 – Whitey Ford New York Yankees (24-7)
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.