There were a number of remarkable performances this year, including the setting of a major record. The mighty Athletics won their third straight pennant, led by three pitchers who had outstanding years. Boston won the East division, led by one spectacular pitcher. When the dust settled, Bob Welch won the Cy Young Award.

         I really think this was a misguided vote. I know it's not every year that a pitcher wins 27 games... but I don't think that Welch was even the best pitcher on his own team. In fact, I think he was only the third best pitcher on his team; both Dave Stewart and Dennis Eckersley had better years.
         And then you have Roger Clemens. For the record, Clemens was the first AL starting pitcher to record an ERA below 2.00 since Ron Guidry in 1978; Clemens and Guidry are the only AL pitchers to perform this feat since the DH rule was created in 1973. Clemens also had a great won-loss record. Sure, Welch won 6 more games... but Welch was backed up by a great offense, and had his wins preserved by the best closer in the history of the game.
         That, by the way, was Dennis Eckersley. The Eck's numbers speak for themselves, I think, including 48 saves and a 0.61 ERA. Not to mention 73 strikeouts, and only 4 walks. Eckersley had quite possibly the best year ever by a closer... but it was Bobby Thigpen who set a new record for saves in a season! Remarkably, Thigpen's record still stands as of 2001, as save totals appear to have levelled off.
         There were a couple of other interesting years. Bobby Witt threw very hard, but had terrible control, walking as many as 143 men in a season. This year he started 3-8, but finished the year with a 14-2 run. Lots of people thought that he was on the verge of greatness, but it never materialized.
         Before the season, the Kansas City Royals broke the bank to sign a couple of free agents named Davis. Mark Davis won the Cy Young Award the previous year, signed a huge contract, and stunk the joint out. Storm Davis was equally bad. It was a tough year in Kansas City, where Steve Farr was an unsung hero. In addition to pitching brilliantly in relief, he started six games, and even threw a shutout.
         Clemens gets my vote for the Cy Young Award. Next, I'll take Eckersley, followed by Stewart, who had his best year. That leaves me a choice between the guy who won 27 games and the guy who saved 57. I think I'll take Welch.