Martinez Wins AL Cy Young Award

N E W  Y O R K, Nov. 13 -- Pedro Martinez has become the first pitcher to winthe American League Cy Young award unanimously in consecutiveyears.

Martinez, who has won three Cy Youngs in the last four seasons,received all 28 votes for 140 points in voting released today bythe Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

“I’m really honored and flattered to be chosen unanimously as the winner,” Martinez said. “It is equally special and equally important to last year.”

Oakland’s Tim Hudson finished second with 54 points, getting 16 seconds and six thirds. David Wells of Toronto was third with 46 points, followed by Andy Pettitte of the Yankees (7) and Detroit’s Todd Jones (3).

This was just the fourth time a pitcher won outrightback-to-back Cy Young Awards in the AL. Roger Clemens, the pitcher Martinez replaced in Boston, did it in 1986-87 with the Red Sox and 1997-98 for Toronto. Jim Palmer won in 1975-76 for Baltimore.

Detroit’s Denny McLain won the Cy Young in 1969 and shared the award the next year with Baltimore’s Mike Cuellar.

Lowest ERA by AL Starter

Martinez went 18-6 with a 1.74 ERA — nearly two runs better than Clemens’ second-best AL mark of 3.70. It was the lowest ERA by an AL starter since Luis Tiant’s 1.60 ERA in 1968.

“This is equally as good a season, maybe better,” Martinez said. “There are other things that contribute to the wins from last year. I haven’t compared the numbers.”

Last year, Martinez went 23-4 with a 2.07 ERA to become only thefourth pitcher to win the AL Cy Young Award unanimously. He alsojoined Gaylord Perry and Randy Johnson as the only pitchers to winthe honor in each league. Martinez won it in 1997 for Montreal.

“I think he had a better year this year,” Red Sox manager Jimy Williams said. “You can’t just look at his wins and losses.”

Martinez joined Clemens as the only pitchers to win the awardunanimously twice, but Clemens did his 12 years apart: in 1986 forBoston and 1998 for Toronto. Ron Guidry of the Yankees was theunanimous winner in 1978 and McLain in 1968.