It’s been more than six weeks since right-hander Felix Hernandez closed the Seattle Mariners’ season by beating the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field and, in the process, winning the American League’s earned-run average title.
On Wednesday, finally, Hernandez will learn whether he will win the Cy Young Award for the second time in his career. The announcement should come shortly after 3 p.m. on MLB Network.
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America, which administers the award, revealed last week that Hernandez was one of three finalists along with Cleveland’s Corey Kluber and Chicago’s Chris Sale.
“To be a finalist for the Cy Young Award is great,” Hernandez said at the time. “That’s what we work for every year, to be one of the best.
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work that I put in during the offseason, and it is great to be mentioned as one of the best pitchers in the American League.”
Hernandez, 28, finished 15-6 with a 2.14 ERA in 34 starts. Kluber was 18-9 and 2.44 in 34 starts; Sale was 12-4 and 2.17 in 26 starts.
The Cy Young Award, like all BBWAA awards, is determined by a 30-member panel of BBWAA members. Balloting on all awards took place prior to the start of postseason.
Hernandez previously won the award in 2010 and looms as a likely favorite this year after being picked by his peers (Players Choice Awards) and league executives (The Sporting News) as the AL’s top pitcher.
The BBWAA announced the managers of the year on Tuesday: Baltimore’s Buck Showalter in the American League; and Washington’s Matt Williams in the National League.
Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon got one first-place vote and finished fourth in the AL balloting behind Showalter, Los Angeles’ Mike Scioscia and Kansas City’s Ned Yost.
On Monday, the Jackie Robinson Rookies of the Year were announced as Chicago first baseman Jose Abreu in the American League, and New York pitcher Jacob deGrom in the National League.
After the two Cy Young winners are announced Wednesday, the awards season concludes Thursday with the announcement of the Most Valuable Players.
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