MLB Milestones: deGrom joins shortlist of pitchers to win consecutive Cy Young awards

Consecutive Cy Young Awards Shortlist

Sandy Koufax (1965-66)

In many circles, Sandy Koufax is the greatest pitcher of all time. For a period between 1962 and 1966, Koufax sported a 111-34 (.766 W-L%) record with a stellar 1.95 ERA and 0.926 WHIP. In this 5-year stretch, Koufax won five consecutive ERA titles and won three Cy Young awards. It is perhaps the most dominating 5-year stretch of any pitcher in MLB history.

Among Koufax’s accomplishments are three no-hitters and one perfect game. All of which occurred between the years 1962 and 1965.

Before retiring after the 1966 season, Koufax posted perhaps his best season ever. That year, he won a career-high 27 games and posted the lowest ERA (1.73) of his career.

In some ways, his decision to retire at the age of 30 and after having a career-season, is really quite admirable. Having experienced chronic arthritis in his pitching arm, he was afraid that if he continued pitching, he would eventually lose all use of his left hand.

According to history.com, Koufax’s decision to retire was that he ultimately had no other alternative. “The wisdom was if you went in there,” Koufax said, “it would only make things worse and your career would be over, anyway. Now you go in, fix it, and you’re OK for next spring.”