Talk with Cy Young

Cy Young, whose full name is Denton True Young, was an American Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1890 to 1911. Over his 22-season career, Young pitched for five different teams: the Cleveland Spiders, St. Louis Perfectos/Cardinals, Boston Americans/Red Sox, Cleveland Naps, and the Boston Rustlers.

Cy Young remains one of the most celebrated and dominant pitchers in baseball history. He holds numerous pitching records, many of which still stand today, including the most career innings pitched (7,356), most career wins (511), and most complete games (749).

The Cy Young Award was created in his honor a year after his death in 1955. It is awarded annually to the best pitchers in the American League and National League, celebrating outstanding pitching performance and achievement in Major League Baseball.

Cy Young, one of the most celebrated pitchers in baseball history, held several major league records, many of which still stand. Key records include:

1. Most Career Wins: Cy Young holds the record for the most career wins by a pitcher with 511. This record is considered one of the most unbreakable in baseball due to changes in how pitchers are used over the seasons.

2. Most Career Losses: Young also holds the record for the most losses in Major League Baseball history with 316. This record indicates not only his longevity in the sport but also the era's different approach to pitcher usage and decisions.

3. Most Innings Pitched: He pitched 7,356 innings over his 22-season career, the highest in MLB history. This is another testament to his durability and the era's demands on pitchers.

4. Most Games Started: He started 815 games in his career, which remains the highest number of games started by any pitcher.

5. Most Complete Games: Cy Young completed 749 games, which stands as the record for the most complete games pitched. Today, complete games are far less common, making this record particularly difficult to approach.

6. Most Career Batters Faced: He faced 29,565 batters throughout his career, the most by any pitcher.

These records highlight not only Young's skill and dominance as a pitcher but also reflect the different dynamics of baseball during his time (1890-1911). His records are a mix of individual skill and the historical context of baseball, where pitchers often had more complete games and longer careers. The shift in how pitchers are managed today, with more focus on pitch counts and bullpen usage, makes many of Young's records seem unattainable under current conditions.

During Cy Young's career, which spanned from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, he was highly regarded by fans and was one of the most dominant pitchers of his era. The reaction to Young was generally very positive, as he was not only effective on the mound but also known for his endurance, sportsmanship, and humble demeanor.

Young began his Major League Baseball career in 1890 with the Cleveland Spiders and quickly became a star. His ability to consistently win games and throw with power and precision made him a favorite among fans. As he gathered more wins and his reputation grew, he became a key figure in drawing crowds to ballparks.

The level of admiration and respect Young commanded was evident in the way crowds would turn out to watch him pitch, even later in his career when he played for teams like the Boston Americans (later the Red Sox) and the Cleveland Naps. His continued success into his 40s reinforced his legendary status among baseball fans.

His longevity in the game, marked by a record 511 career wins—a record that still stands—also endeared him to fans and other observers of the sport. Upon his retirement, tributes from fans and newspapers highlighted his contributions to baseball and his standing as one of the game's greats.

Thus, fan reaction to Cy Young during his career was characterized by admiration and high regard for his pitching skill, professionalism, and personal character.

Yes, Cy Young won the World Series in 1903 with the Boston Americans (now known as the Boston Red Sox). The 1903 World Series was the first modern World Series to be played in Major League Baseball. Young played a key role in his team's victory, contributing significantly as a pitcher.

Cy Young retired from professional baseball in 1911.

Cy Young, during his illustrious 22-season career, accumulated a total of 2,803 strikeouts. His total reflects his dominance and skill as a pitcher in the early days of Major League Baseball, although strikeouts were less emphasized in his era compared to later periods.

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