American League Cy Young Award

November 13, 2008   ·   Paul Raymond   ·   Jump to comments

In no surprise to anyone Cleveland Indians starter Cliff Lee was named the American League Cy Young Award Winner. Lee was so dominate during the season that the voting for this award wasn’t even close. Lee received 24 of the 28 first place votes, for a total of 132 points. The most impressive thing about this year’s AL Cy Young winner is the story he brought to the table.

Cliff was banished from the Indians rotation in 2007, even being sent to the minor leagues at one point. His season was so bad, 5-8 with 6.29 era, that it was beginning to look like he was officially a bust. Granted he was a bust making good money $3.75 million a season. Even with the salary the Indians let Lee know that a spot in the 2008 rotation wasn’t guaranteed and he’d have to earn his way in. He came out firing in camp and showed the team he could perform, more importantly he showed the command that had been lacking in his career. With all being said he earned the fifth spot in the rotation.

Lee quickly rose from the fifth spot to ace, with an amazing start to the 2008 season. In his first six starts he went 6-0 with a 0.81 era. Even with that start I’m sure all of you were thinking that he was a fluke and he’d come back to reality pretty soon. I know I was one of those! I definitely didn’t think he’d be able to keep up that type of performance. But to my surprise and all of yours, he did.

Lee ended the season by winning 22 of his first 25 decisions. All baseball fans know that’s a pretty impressive feat now-a-days but do you realize how big of a deal that is? According to STATS, LLC that has only happened seven times in baseball since 1920. His official stat line for the season? 31 starts with a 22-3 record, 170 strikeouts in 223.1 innings pitched and a 2.54 era.

Now the rest of the voting. Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay finished second with 71 points and the other four first place votes. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim closer Francisco Rodriguez finished third in the voting with 32 points. Bringing up the the rear of the field was Boston Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka with 10.

Congratulations Cliff Lee you definitely deserved this award.

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