Roger Clemens, had a remarkable Major League Baseball career spanning 24 seasons, boasting a total of 354 wins, 4,672 strikeouts, and a career ERA of 3.12. Explore the dominance and recognition of one of baseball’s most decorated pitchers.
Roger Clemens earned a remarkable total of seven Cy Young Awards during his illustrious Major League Baseball career. Clemens seven Cy Young Awards is 2 more than any other pitcher. He won the award back-to-back twice (1986-87 and 1997-98).
Clemens’ extraordinary season with the Boston Red Sox secured his first Cy Young Award, setting the stage for a remarkable career trajectory. After winning 24 games, putting up a ridiculous 2.48 ERA, and striking out 238 batters, Clemens also took home the American League MVP. He carried the Red Sox to the World Series, where they lost to the New York Mets.
In his second consecutive Cy Young Award-winning season, Roger Clemens delivered a stellar performance, securing a 20-9 record, a 2.97 ERA, and an impressive 256 strikeouts. Notably, Clemens recorded an astounding 20 strikeouts in a single game against the Seattle Mariners on April 29, 1986, establishing a Major League Baseball record for most strikeouts in a nine-inning game, a feat that remains a highlight of his illustrious career.
After a brief gap, Clemens clinched another Cy Young Award in 1991 season with the Boston Red Sox. His performance on the mound was nothing short of remarkable. Clemens achieved an impressive 18-10 win-loss record coupled with a stellar 2.62 ERA, showcasing his dominance as a premier pitcher in the league. Throughout the season, he struck out 241 batters. Notable among his achievements were multiple complete games and shutouts.
Transitioning to the Toronto Blue Jays, Clemens captured his fourth Cy Young Award, underscoring his ability to maintain excellence despite changing teams. Clemens had a standout record of 21-7, an ERA of 2.05, and an impressive 292 strikeouts. Notable moments included leading the league in complete games (9) and shutouts (3), and also capturing the pitching Triple Crown, leading the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts.
In 1998, Clemens’ returned to the Cy Young winner’s circle the Cy Young Award with a 20-6 record, a 2.65 ERA, and 271 strikeouts. It was his second consectutive Cy Young, and also second consectutive season taking home the pitching Triple Crown. He also posted his highest strikeouts per 9 innings of his career (10.4).
For his sixth Cy Young award, Clemens donned the Yankee pinstripes and finished the season with a record of 20 wins and 3 losses, totaling 213 strikeouts and a 3.51 ERA. Clemens and the Yankees had won the previous two World Series, but in 2001, they fell short, losing to the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 7 of the World Series.
For his final Cy Young Award, Roger Clemens, at age 41 posted a 18-4 record with the Houston Astros. He carried a 2.98 ERA, and 218 strikeouts through his 214.1 innings pitched.
Clemens’ seven Cy Young Awards remain a testament to his unmatched pitching abilities, consistency, and dedication to excellence, solidifying his place among baseball’s pitching legends. Not only did Clemens win 7 Cy Youngs, he received Cy Young votes in 12 of his 24 seasons. His average Wins Above Replacement was 6.7, meaning he contributed almost 7 wins a season for his teams, every single year, for 24 years. Along with the 7 Cy Youngs, Clemens’ remarkable pitching legacy includes one Most Valuable Player Award, 11-time All Star, and 2 World Series titles.
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