Tiger Denny McLain and Oriole Mike Cuellar end in a tie for the 1969 Cy Young Award
On November 6, 1969 — Tiger Denny McLain 24-9, 2.80 and Oriole Mike Cuellar (23-11, 2.38) each receive ten votes from the BBWAA for being the best pitcher in the American League. It is the first time the results for the Cy Young Award have ended in a tie.
Denny McLain of the Detroit Tigers and Mike Cuellar of the Baltimore Orioles finish dead even in American League Cy Young Award voting. This is the first time the BBWAA voting for Cy Young ended in a tie as each pitcher received 10 votes. McLain’s WAR 8.1 was almost twice Cuellar’s, 4.4.
McLain won the 1968 Cy Young-winning 31 games and pitching the Tigers to the 1968 World Series. âYOU ARE definitely better if you win more ball games, but I think I was just as good a pitcher this year,â McLain said when notified of his award. âI knew the hitters better this year and I pitched almost as many innings. My earned run average was a little higher but everybodyâs was this year due to the lowÂering of the mound. Winning the award this year is definitely more satisÂfying than it was last year due to the fact that I didnât win as many games.” McLain added. âI didnât think I could win it due to the fact another club won the pennant. I thought Cuellar had it all sewed up.â
McLain posted a record 24-9 record with 181 strikeouts and a 2.80 ERA, while Cuellar was 23-11, 182, 2.38. Jim Perry who had an excellent year finishing 20-6 with a 6.2 WAR received 3 votes.
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