Has there ever been a Cy Young Award Winner from a last place team? If not It is quite possible Cliff Lee will

Question

I've looked it up and since 1967 I haven't found anyone who has accomplished this feat so far. With the AL low on quality pitching this year and the way Cliff Lee has been throwing it isn't out of the question to think he could accomplish this bizarre feat in 2008.

Answer 1

Incredibly, yes.

Steve carlton won 27 out of 59 games that the Phillies won in 1972.  That means that he was responsible for about 46% of their wins.  That is an insane ratio.

Answer 2

Utter got it -- Steve Carlton, 1972 NL CYA winner with the Phillies.

Answer 3

I hadn't thought of that until you mentioned it, I cannot think of anyone recently to accomplish this.

Answer 4

Steve Carlton in 1972 won 27 games for a Phillies team that only won 59. Dominant does not describe him that year. I guarantee you if he did it now, ESPN would be calling him the greatest pitcher of all time.

Answer 5

yes steve carlton but cliff lee wont win it it will be either dice k or a closer yes k-rod from the angels he will shatter the season saves record and will be 2nd in the voting if not first

Answer 6

Looks to me like Steve Carlton was the last person to win a Cy Young on a losing team.  Cliff Lee does have a very good chance at doing this since there aren't many pitchers having standout years on winning teams.  I think the only winning team you can possibly look to would be the Angels with Lackey and Saunders.

EDIT:  Come to think of it, there are also 2 Cy Young candidates on losing teams in the NL as well.  Tim Lincecum (11-3, 2.78 ERA and 156 K) on the Giants (currently 44-61) and Edison Volquez (12-4, 2.77 ERA and 134 K) on the Reds (50-58)

Answer 7

Steve Carlton for the 1972 Phillies.

Carlton went 27 and 10 for the last place Phillies who went 59 and 97 in the NL East.