AL Cy Young Winner Went From 6.62 ERA to Best In The Business

 

The price tag for free agent pitcher Robbie Ray just got a whole lot higher. The Toronto Blue Jays' ace has been named the American League Cy Young Award winner, besting finalists Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees, and Lance Lynn of the Chicago White Sox. And it wasn't even close.

The 4th Cy Young Award Winner in franchise HISTORY: @RobbieRay 🏆 pic.twitter.com/F5CYbYxBE8

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) November 17, 2021

Ray garnered 29 of the 30 first-place votes to scoop the award, and become the 4th Cy guy in Blue Jays franchise history. An incredible feat for the pitcher who simply couldn't find the plate in 2020, and finished that season with a 6.62 combined ERA between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Blue Jays, who acquired him at mid-season. 

After a slow start, Ray became the Blue Jays' ace as early as May this season, and never looked back. He finished the year with a 13-7 record, 2.89 ERA, and an astounding 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

Now Ray takes those numbers, along with a shiny new award into the free agent market. 

Cole took the other first-place vote in the balloting. Ray joins Pat Hentgen, Roger Clemens and Roy Halladay as the previous Toronto Cy Young winners.

Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports