Born in Gillmore, Ohio, Denton True Young was
more commonly known as "Cy." The big right hander
spent nearly 20 years in the big leagues and set the pitching
standard for all of baseball to follow. He was the only pitcher
in baseball's first 100 years to win 500 games, including three
no-hit shutouts and a perfect game on May 5, 1904.
Originally with Cleveland in the National League from 1890-1898,
Young racked up 25 or more wins in each year. When Young was
transferred to St. Louis, which, like Cleveland, was owned
by James Robinson, he complained that, "It's too damn
hot there." And thus the Red Sox picked him up at age
34 where he played from 1901-1908.
Young lived up to the hype his first year in Boston, posting
a 33-10 record, a 1.62 ERA, 5 shutouts and 158 K's. In 371
innings he walked a mere 37 batters.
Though he only led the majors in victories once in his career,
Young posted mind-boggling numbers. He completed 751 games,
pitched 7,356 innings and threw over 300 innings a year for
15 years; all this while pitching typically on two days rest,
sometimes even one. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1937.
Known for his durability, the Ohio farmboy's name on modern
baseball's annual award to the top pitchers in baseball pay
tribute to his greatness. He died in 1955 at the age of 88.
In his eight years with Boston, Cy Young posted a 192-112 mark.
No pitcher wearing a Red Sox uniform has come close to that
record.
