When Justin Verlander won the American League Cy Young Award in 2019, it marked the longest game ever between Cy Young Awards. Verlander first won in 2011 when he was also the A.L. Most Valuable Player for the Detroit Tigers.
But how about the longest gap between seasons receiving votes for the Cy Young Award? That record goes to 2011 Hall of Fame inductee Bert Blyleven. The Netherlands-born curveball ace finished seventh in Cy Young voting in 1973 after leading the A.L. with nine shutouts for the Minnesota Twins.
Blyleven continued to pitch well but it took until 1984, 11 seasons later, that he received votes for the Cy Young Award again, placing third when he went 19-7 for Cleveland. Blyleven didn’t wait long for his next of four total seasons with Cy Young votes. In 1984, pitching for Cleveland and a second go-round with the Twins, Blyleven placed third in Cy voting again, this time having led the A.L. in innings (293.2), complete games (24), shutouts (5) and strikeouts (206). He placed fourth in 1989 closing a 17-year spread between his first season receiving Cy Young votes and his last. Of course, Roger Clemens received Cy Young votes in seasons 19 years apart, and won in seasons 18 years apart, as he pitched his way to a record seven Cys.
Close to Blyleven, two other pitchers had 10-year gaps between receiving Cy Young Award votes. Rick Reuschel received votes in 1977 and 1987. Dennis Martinez was a Cy Young Award contender in 1981 and 1991.
Imagine which pitchers in 2020 could emerge as Cy Young contenders after not receiving votes since 2010. Of the 13 pitchers to receive votes for the Cy Young Award in 2010, only Adam Wainwright is still pitching. He has received Cy Young votes since then but he would be more than a darkhorse to contend in 2010. Six pitchers who received Cy Young votes in the American League in 2010 remain active. Verlander, of course, remains a Cy Young contender. Some optimistic fans think David Price could return to an elite level with the Dodgers this season. He placed second behind Felix Hernandez in 2010.