Gerrit Cole Claims Unanimous AL Cy Young Award, Blake Snell Grabs NL Honor

In a momentous night for the pitching elite, Gerrit Cole and Blake Snell emerged as the top hurlers in their respective leagues, capturing the coveted Cy Young Awards. Cole, the ace right-hander for the New York Yankees, swept all 30 first-place votes to secure his first American League Cy Young Award, while Snell, the free-agent lefty who pitched for the San Diego Padres, garnered 28 of 30 first-place votes to clinch his second National League Cy Young Award.

Cole’s dominance throughout the season was undeniable. He led the AL in innings pitched (209) and strikeouts (222), while posting a sparkling 2.63 ERA, the lowest among AL starters. His consistency and ability to shut down opposing batters were instrumental in the Yankees’ playoff push.

Snell, on the other hand, showcased his remarkable talent by turning around a sluggish start to the season. After struggling in the first half, he transformed into an unstoppable force, leading the majors with an ERA of 1.79 and striking out 169 batters in 120.2 innings. His resurgence was crucial in the Padres’ late-season surge to secure a playoff berth.

Both Cole and Snell have etched their names in baseball history, joining the prestigious group of pitchers who have won the Cy Young Award in both leagues. Their achievements underscore the exceptional talent and determination that it takes to reach the pinnacle of pitching excellence.

Here’s a closer look at their remarkable accomplishments:

Gerrit Cole:

• Unanimous AL Cy Young Award winner (2023)
• AL ERA leader (2.63, 2023)
• AL innings pitched leader (209, 2023)
• AL strikeouts leader (222, 2023)
• 3× AL All-Star (2018, 2019, 2023)

Blake Snell:

• NL Cy Young Award winner (2023)
• NL ERA leader (1.79, 2023)
• AL Cy Young Award winner (2018)
• 2× AL All-Star (2018, 2019)

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