Who has won the pitching triple crown? This is a question that has intrigued baseball fans for decades. The pitching triple crown is an extraordinary achievement in Major League Baseball, where a pitcher wins the league’s three major pitching categories in a single season: wins, earned run average (ERA), and strikeouts. Only a select few pitchers have managed to accomplish this remarkable feat, making it one of the most prestigious honors in the sport.
The first pitching triple crown was awarded in 1906 to Ed Walsh of the Chicago White Sox. Walsh won 41 games, had an ERA of 1.82, and struck out 157 batters. Since then, only a handful of pitchers have been able to duplicate this achievement. The most recent pitching triple crown winner was Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez in 2010. Hernandez won 21 games, posted a 2.27 ERA, and struck out 239 batters.
One of the most notable pitching triple crown winners was Cy Young, who won the award in 1907, 1911, and 1918. His 1907 season was particularly remarkable, as he won 41 games, had an ERA of 1.89, and struck out 158 batters. Cy Young’s record of 714 career wins still stands as the all-time mark for Major League Baseball pitchers.
Another legendary pitcher to win the pitching triple crown was Walter Johnson, who achieved the feat in 1913. Johnson won 36 games, had an ERA of 1.14, and struck out 190 batters. His performance in that season is often considered one of the greatest in baseball history.
Among the modern pitchers who have won the pitching triple crown, Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers stands out. In 1965, Koufax won 26 games, had an ERA of 1.73, and struck out 382 batters. His performance that season is often cited as the greatest pitching season in the history of Major League Baseball.
The pitching triple crown is a testament to a pitcher’s dominance on the mound. It requires a combination of skill, determination, and a bit of luck. The fact that only a select few pitchers have achieved this feat speaks to the rarity and significance of the accomplishment. As baseball continues to evolve, it remains to be seen if another pitcher will one day join the ranks of these legendary greats and win the pitching triple crown.
