“you do realize that Cy Young pitched at a time when catching a ball on one hop was an out, right? ”

That was no longer the rule when Cy Young was playing major league ball.

A lot of people didn’t think A-Rod should get the MVP, because his team wasn’t going anywhere. The argument was- sure he’s a great player, but so what? Take him off the team, and not much changes in the standings. The MVP should go to the guy who has the biggest impact on his team.

This whole argument is basically the same. Those who look at wins as the ultimate decider for the CY think it demonstrates that the pitcher has given his team the most consistent chance at winning. If another guy gives up fewer runs, but his team doesn’t win, then so what? Ultimately it’s standings that matter.

It’s an interesting argument. We certainly have enough stat-heads these days to make wins relatively obsolete in determining the CY winner, because we could look at number that relate exclusively to the pitchers performance. But I think a lot of people wouldn’t be satisfied with that, because ultimately, if the team doesn’t win with that pitcher on the mound, then what’s the point?

Anyway, all this is just hot air. Wang will obviously be considered for the CY. If he has the most wins in the league, he’ll have a decent shot at it. If he doesn’t, then he won’t get it.

Hughes5.50- Wow. Nice.

i.e., if bullpen was burn and ballclub need a SP to go deep. if he got Run support with big lead, yes, maybe coach will cost his personal stat for teammates’ rest even he is tired or the pitch count above standard. if he didn’t have run support, the difference is depends on what coach’s decision. maybe Win, maybe lose. maybe no decision.

One writer’s take on the AL CY. Acknowledges that Wang is pretty good, just not sexy enough. If he’s going to list Putz & Papelbon I think he should give Joba an honorable mention!

Forget about Cy Young Award, forget about him being the ACE, just recognize and respect his effort as a Yankee who wants to help his team win!

You’re an idiot. You think that because a pitcher receives more run support, he is somehow a better pitcher? Does Wakefield will his teammates to hit better than Santana does?

How does it make sense to use a stat that is HIGHLY dependent on one’s teammates in order to determine who should win an INDIVIDUAL award. The fact is a pitcher has no control over his teammates, and therefore punishing a pitcher for having fewer wins is ludicrous and ignorant.

Using CY Young winners’ stats from the past is a waste of time, we now have more advanced methods that help us to better determine which pitcher is actually “the best”. We have support neutral statistics now that didn’t exist in the 60′s. In addition, just because BBWAA looks at wins, doesn’t mean that was the original intention of the award. It goes to the best pitcher, and wins are not a good determination of who is actually the best pitcher. It is an ok indication, a starting point, but anyone who thinks it is the be all and end all stat is stupid.