Complete voting results by year
1999 A.L. Pedro Martinez, Boston Red Sox
28 of 28 first-place votes
Led league in: Wins (23), ERA (2.07), strikeouts (313), ERA+ (243), FIP (1.39), WHIP (0.923)
Noteworthy: It was the only season that Martinez led the league in wins. He led in ERA five times and WHIP six times. Martinez had the most first-place votes for A.L. MVP (8) but finished second behind Texas catcher Ivan Rodriguez in overall voting.
Background resources: See 2000
1999 N.L. Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks
20 of 32 first-place votes
Led league in: ERA (2.48), complete games (12), innings (271.2), strikeouts (364), ERA+ (184), FIP (2.76), WAR (9.1)
Noteworthy: Since Johnson’s 12 complete games in 1999, only one other pitcher has reached double digits; James Shields completed 11 and finished third in Cy voting in 2011. Mike Hampton made the voting interesting with 11 first-place votes after going 222-4 for Houston.
Background resources: See 2002
1998 A.L. Roger Clemens, Toronto Blue Jays
28 of 28 first-place votes
Led league in: Wins (20), ERA (2.65), strikeouts (271), ERA+ (174), FIP (2.65), WAR (8.1) Noteworthy: Clemens won the pitching triple crown in 1997 and 1998, one of only four pitchers with back-to-back triple crown seasons. Lefty Grove (1930-31), Grover Alexander (1915-16), Sandy Koufax (1865-66) were the others.
Background resources: See 2004
1998 N.L. Tom Glavine, Atlanta Braves
11 of 32 first-place votes
Led league in: Wins (20)
Noteworthy: Padres closer Trevor Hoffman, on his way toward the career saves record, received 13 first-place votes but finished second to Glavine. Third and fourth-place finishers Kevin Brown (8.6 WAR v. Glavine’s 6.1) and Greg Maddux in many ways had more impressive seasons than Glavine.
Background resources: Baseball-reference.com page, Hall of Fame bio
1997 A.L. Roger Clemens, Toronto Blue Jays
25 of 28 first-place votes
Led league in: Wins (21), ERA (2.05), complete games (9), shutouts (3), Innings (264), strikeouts (292), ERA+ (222), FIP (2.25), WHIP (1.03), WAR (11.9)
Noteworthy: From 1993-96, Clemens went 40-39. Then staring with this 1997 season, went 162-73 to finish his career.
Background resources: See 2004
1997 N.L. Pedro Martinez, Montreal Expos
25 of 28 first-place votes
Led league in: ERA (1.90), complete games (13), ERA+ (219), FIP (2.39), WHIP (0.932), WAR (9.0)
Noteworthy: Martinez was the only Expos pitcher to win the Cy Young Award. If they hadn’t needed to cut payroll and traded Martinez to the Red Sox where he won two more, he might have added to Montreal’s total and helped keep baseball in the city. The only other Expos to receive first-place votes where Steve Rogers (1982 and 1983) and Mike Marshall (1973).
Background resources: See 2000
1996 A.L. Pat Hentgen, Toronto Blue Jays
16 of 28 first-place votes
Led league in: Complete games (10), shutouts (3), innings (265.2), WAR (8.6)
Noteworthy: It was Hentgen’s only 20-win season. He was one of 13 pitchers to win the Cy in their only appearance among the top five vote-getters.
Background resources: Baseball-reference.com page
1996 N.L. John Smoltz, Atlanta Braves
26 of 28 first-place votes
Led league in: Wins (24), innings (253.2) strikeouts (276), FIP (2.64)
Noteworthy: It was the only season that the Hall of Famer won more than 17 games. He is the only pitcher to place in the top three of Cy voting as both a starter and reliever (55 saves in 2002). Dennis Eckersley was close, placing fourth as a starter in 1978 before winning as a reliever in 1992. Kevin Brown finished second with two first-place votes, he had better WAR (7.9) and ERA+ (215 vs. 149) but a 17-11 record with a lot fewer strikeouts.
Background resources: Baseball-reference.com page, Hall of Fame bio, SABR bio
1995 A.L. Randy Johnson, Seattle Mariners
26 of 28 first-place votes
Led league in: ERA (2.48), strikeouts (294), ERA+ (193), FIP (2.08), WHIP (1.045), WAR (8.6)
Noteworthy: Johnson went 18-2 and played a critical role in the first playoff season for the Seattle Mariners. Only three pitchers have stared at least 28 games with only two losses. Greg Maddux (19-2 in 28 starts in the strike-shortened 1995 season), Johnson in 1995 and Toronto’s Aaron Sanchez who went 15-2 over 30 starts in 2016.
Background resources: See 2002
1995 N.L. Greg Maddux, Atlanta Braves
28 of 28 first-place votes
Led league in: Wins (19), ERA (1.63), complete games (10), shutouts (3), innings (209.2), ERA+ (260), FIP (2.26), WHIP (0.811), WAR (9.7)
Noteworthy: The 260 ERA+ is the second-highest in the Cy Young Award era behind Pedro Martinez’s 291 in 2000. Maddux pitched 946 innings from 1992-95, his four consecutive Cy-winning seasons, and allowed just 33 home runs total. That’s three fewer than Justin Verlander allowed in his 2019 Cy-winning season. Different game but still impressive. Maddux helped himself by fielding his position perhaps better than any pitcher ever. He won 18 Gold Glove awards.
Background resources: Baseball-reference.com page, Hall of Fame bio, SABR bio
1994 A.L. David Cone, Kansas City Royals
15 of 28 first-place votes
Led league in: WAR (6.9)
Noteworthy: Cone went 16-5 in the strike-shortened season. He won 20 in 1988 and 1998, placing third and fourth in Cy voting. He had a 171 ERA+ in 1994, the second highest of his career. His 2.94 ERA was the best among the Cy contenders but third in the American League. Only five pitchers received votes for the Cy Young Award, including Lee Smith who pitched only 38.1 innings.
Background resources: Baseball-reference.com page, SABR bio
1994 N.L. Greg Maddux, Atlanta Braves
28 of 28 first-place votes
Led league in: Wins (16 – strike-shortened season), complete games (10), shutouts (3), innings (202), ERA+ (271), FIP (2.39), WHIP (0.896), WAR (8.4)
Noteworthy: In 1994, Maddux became the first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award three consecutive seasons. His 1.56 ERA was 2½ runs below the league average, the largest differential in major league history. Maddux allowed just four home runs in 202 innings. His ERA+ of 271 is the second-best in the Cy Young Award era behind Pedro Martinez’s 291 in 2000.
Background resources: See 1995
1993 A.L. Jack McDowell, Chicago White Sox
21 of 28 first-place votes
Led league in: Wins (22), shutouts (4)
Noteworthy: McDowell did not finish in the top 10 in WAR, ERA or ERA+. Royals righty Kevin Appier led all three, went 18-8 and finished third. McDowell allowed 10 runs over nine innings (2 starts) in the ALCS against eventual World Series champion Toronto and never received a vote for the Cy Young Award again.
Background resources: Baseball-reference.com page
1993 N.L. Greg Maddux, Atlanta Braves
22 of 28 first-place votes
Led league in: (ERA (2.36), complete games (8), innings (267), ERA+ (170), FIP (2.85), WHIP (1.049)
Noteworthy: Maddux had a 5.8 WAR in 1993, the lowest of his four Cy-winning seasons. He had four other non-Cy-winning seasons with higher WAR. His teammate, Tom Glavine, received four first-place votes.
Background resources: See 1995
1992 A.L. Dennis Eckersley, Oakland Athletics
19 of 28 first-place votes
Led league in: Saves (51)
Noteworthy: Eckersley went 7-1 with a 1.91 ERA, 0.913 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in 80 innings. He won the American League Most Valuable Player award easily over Twins outfielder Kirby Puckett. He finished in the top six of A.L. MVP voting in four out of five seasons from 1988-92. Eckersley finished fourth in Cy voting as a 20-game winner for the Red Sox in 1978. He became a full-time reliever in 1988.
Background resources: Baseball-reference.com page, Hall of Fame bio, SABR bio
1992 N.L. Greg Maddux, Chicago Cubs
20 of 24 first-place votes
Led league in: Wins (20), innings (268), ERA+ (166), FIP (2.58), WAR (9.1)
Noteworthy: Bob Tewksbury edged Maddux in ERA (2.16 vs. 2.18 for Maddux) and finished third. Bill Swift led the league in ERA at 2.08 but did not receive any Cy Young votes. Since Maddux won 20 for the Cubs in 1992 and then took his excellence to Atlanta, only two Chicago pitchers have won 20, John Lieber 20-6 in 2001 and Jake Arrieta in his Cy Young season of 2015 (22-6).
Background resources: See 1995
1991 A.L. Roger Clemens, Boston Red Sox
21 of 28 first-place votes
Led league in: ERA (2.62), Innings (271.1), strikeouts (241), ERA+ (165), FIP (2.57)
Noteworthy: Clemens was the clear winner. Jack Morris received three first-place votes, the most in his Hall of Fame career. Jim Abbott deserves recognition. It was his only season receiving Cy Young votes. The one-handed lefty won 18 for the Angels and would later pitch a no-hitter for the Yankees. Clemens’ lowest two ERA seasons were not among his seven Cy Young Award-winning seasons.
Background resources: See 2004
1991 N.L. Tom Glavine, Atlanta Braves
19 of 24 first-place votes
Led league in: Wins (20), complete games (9), ERA+ (153), WAR (8.5)
Noteworthy: This was Glavine’s best season, although he entered it with a 33-41 career record. Glavine won the Silver Slugger Award, as the top hitting N.L. pitcher, in 1991 for the first of four times in his career. Hall of Fame reliever Lee Smith finished second, receiving four first-place votes, the only ones of his career.
Background resources: See 1998
1990 A.L. Bob Welch, Oakland Athletics
15 of 28 first-place votes
Led league in: Wins (27)
Noteworthy: You have got to be good to win 27 games in the majors. Welch in 1990 and Steve Carlton in 1972 are the only pitchers to do it since the mound was lowered from 15 inches to 10 in 1969. But Welch wasn’t the best pitcher in the A.L. in 1990. Rogers Clemens should have won the Cy Young Award. He was better than Welch in every meaningful category except wins (21). Welch may not have been the best starting pitcher on his team. Dave Stewart finished third in Cy voting and had better results in all but wins than Welch. Welch deserves recognition for a nice career with 211 wins over 17 seasons and 3,092 innings.
Background resources: Baseball-reference.com page
1990 N.L. Doug Drabek, Pittsburgh Pirates
23 of 24 first-place votes
Led league in: Wins (22)
Noteworthy: Drabek was a clutch pitcher down the stretch getting the Pirates back to the playoffs for the first time since 1979. It was enough to make him a nearly unanimous winner, the first for the Pirates since Vern Law in 1960, but the vote should have been much closer. Frank Viola didn’t receive any first-place votes, finishing third, but numbers-wise had a strong argument for the award. Ramon Martinez finished second also deserving of more consideration.
Background resources: Baseball-reference.com page