NEW YORK -- Randy Johnson won his record-tying fourth straight National League Cy Young Award on Tuesday, a unanimous pick over Arizona teammate Curt Schilling. Voting results Voting for the NL Cy Young Award, with first-, second- and third-place votes and total points on a 5-3-1 basis: Player 1st 2nd 3rd Total Johnson, Ari. 32 -- -- 160 Schilling, Ari. -- 29 3 90 Smoltz, Atl. -- 1 18 21 Gagne, L.A. -- 2 2 8 Oswalt, Hou. -- -- 8 8 Colon, Mon. -- -- 1 1 Johnson will earn an additional $4 million because of the award. He received all 32 first-place votes and 160 points from a panel of the Baseball Writers' Association of America to win his fifth Cy Young Award, one short of Roger Clemens' record. Schilling was runner-up for the second straight season, getting 29 second-place votes and three thirds for 90 points. Atlanta closer John Smoltz was third with 21 points. Which of these pitchers will receive the highest percentage of Hall of Fame votes? Roger Clemens Randy Johnson Greg Maddux Pedro Martinez Johnson matched Greg Maddux (1992-95) as the only pitchers to win four straight Cy Youngs and is the NL's first unanimous winner since Maddux in 1995. Johnson and Schilling became the first pitchers to finish 1-2 in Cy Young voting in consecutive years. The Big Unit went 24-5 with a 2.37 ERA and 334 strikeouts, becoming the first major leaguer since Boston's Pedro Martinez in 1999 and the first NL player since the Mets' Dwight Gooden in 1985 to win pitching's triple crown. The 39-year-old Johnson led the major leagues in strikeouts for the ninth time. He also led the majors in innings (260) and complete games (eight), and led the NL in lowest opponents' batting average (.208). Schilling went 23-7 with a 3.23 ERA, 316 strikeouts and just 33 walks in 259 1/3 innings. Schilling, who has never won a Cy Young, was 21-5 with a 2.77 ERA though Aug. 31, while Johnson was 19-5 with a 2.63 ERA. Johnson went 5-0 with a 0.66 ERA in September, while Schilling was 2-2 with a 6.19 ERA. On Sept. 20, Schilling allowed eight runs for only the third time and a career-high 14 hits in 9-4 loss to Colorado at Coors Field. NL West champion Arizona was 55-15 when Johnson or Schilling started, 43-49 the rest of the time. The defending World Series champion Diamondbacks lost to St. Louis in the first round of the playoffs. By winning the award, Johnson earned a $1 million bonus on top of his $12.35 million salary. In addition, his 2003 salary automatically increased from $12 million to $15 million. His first Cy Young Award came with Seattle in 1995. Schilling earned a $250,000 bonus for finishing second. His salary was $10 million. More from ESPN... Schwarz: Big Unit pays off big Some doubted the logic when ... Cy Young Award winners Cy Young winners. Cy Young debate: It's the Unit Will Randy Johnson win his ... A look back at ESPN's award predictions How did ESPN.com's baseball ... Hinske, Jennings make marks as Rookies of the Year Toronto third baseman Eric ... ESPN Tools Email story Most sent Print story Daily email
It's kind of ridiculous that someone voted for Smoltz or Gagne over both Johnson or Schilling. I mean, all first and second place votes should have been split among those two guys. After that, I can see room for argument.
This I understand, but Smoltz and Gagne still got some 2nd place votes, meaning that someone thought they were better than Schilling this season. Since Schilling and Johnson were so close, that just seems crazy to me.
I wonder if the home team media can vote for their own guys. Smells like a Vin Scully/Skip Caray conspiracy.
Personally I have a problem with relievers getting Cy Young votes, but that's just me. I suspect that Schillings crummy September (ERA over 6) had something to do with that since Gagne and Smoltz were consistent all year.
