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Who won the NL Cy Young the year you were born?
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Who won the NL Cy Young the year you were born?

Were you born in a Randy Johnson year? How about Greg Maddux or Tom Seaver? A true MLB fan would want to know. We chronicle every NL Cy Young Award winner since 1956 to match the year you were born.

 
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2018: Jacob deGrom

2018: Jacob deGrom
Brad Penner / USA Today Sports Images

DeGrom was able to edge Max Scherzer for the NL Cy Young Award. He had only 10 wins but also finished with a 1.70 ERA and 269 strikeouts in 217 innings.

 
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2017: Max Scherzer

2017: Max Scherzer
Jerry Lai / USA Today Sports Images

Scherzer notched his second consecutive Cy Young Award and third overall with another brilliant year for the Nats. He went 16-6 with a 2.51 ERA and 268 strikeouts in 200.2 innings.

 
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2016: Max Scherzer

2016: Max Scherzer
Alex Brandon/Getty Images

Scherzer was magnificent in 2016, winning 20 games on the way to becoming the sixth pitcher to win the award in both leagues.

 
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2015: Jake Arrieta

2015: Jake Arrieta
Benny Sieu / USA Today Sports Images

Arrieta had a breakout season with the Cubs, going 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA and 236 strikeouts in 229 innings. He received 17 first-place votes, while Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke got 10 first-place votes.

 
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2014: Clayton Kershaw

2014: Clayton Kershaw
Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

Kershaw won his third Cy Young in four years, going 21-3 with a 1.77 ERA in 27 starts. He had 239 strikeouts in only 198.1 innings and was the unanimous choice for the award.

 
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2013: Clayton Kershaw

2013: Clayton Kershaw
Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images

Kershaw won his second Cy Young Award in three years, getting 29 of 30 first-place votes. He went 16-9 with a 1.83 ERA and 232 strikeouts in 236 innings.

 
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2012: R.A. Dickey

2012: R.A. Dickey
Jim McIsaac / Getty Images

The knuckleballer had a terrific season for the Mets, going 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA in 233.2 innings. He was traded to Toronto following his Cy Young campaign.

 
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2011: Clayton Kershaw

2011: Clayton Kershaw
Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

Kershaw won his first Cy Young Award, beating out Roy Halladay with 28 first-place votes. He went 21-5 with a 2.28 ERA in 233.1 innings.

 
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2010: Roy Halladay

2010: Roy Halladay
Jim McIsaac / Getty Images

Halladay won his second Cy Young and first in the NL. He was the unanimous choice, going 21-10 with a 2.44 ERA in 33 starts. He threw a whopping 250.2 innings.

 
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2009: Tim Lincecum

2009: Tim Lincecum
Brad Mangin / Getty Images

Lincecum won his second consecutive Cy Young, barely edging Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. He went 15-7 with a 2.48 ERA and 261 strikeouts in 225.1 innings.

 
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2008: Tim Lincecum

2008: Tim Lincecum
Brad Mangin / Getty Images

Lincecum earned 27 of 32 first-place votes, with an 18-5 record and 2.62 ERA. He also fanned 265 batters in 227 innings.

 
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2007: Jake Peavy

2007: Jake Peavy
Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images

The Padres ace was the unanimous choice for NL Cy Young, going 19-6 with a 2.54 ERA in 34 starts.

 
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2006: Brandon Webb

2006: Brandon Webb
Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

Arizona's groundball wizard edged Trevor Hoffman for the Cy Young, going 16-8 with a 3.10 ERA in 33 starts. 

 
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2005: Chris Carpenter

2005: Chris Carpenter
Brian Bahr / Getty Images

Carpenter had a great season for the Cardinals and beat out Dontrelle Willis for the Cy Young Award. He went 21-5 with a 2.83 ERA in 33 starts and totaled 241.2 innings.

 
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2004: Roger Clemens

2004: Roger Clemens
Ron Vesely / Major League Baseball

Clemens won his first Cy Young Award in the NL and seventh overall, going 18-4 with a 2.98 ERA in 33 starts for the Astros. He had 218 strikeouts in 214.1 innings.

 
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2003: Eric Gagne

2003: Eric Gagne
Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

The first relief pitcher to win the NL Cy Young since Mark Davis in 1989, Gagne earned 28 of 32 first-place votes with a 1.20 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 82.1 innings for the Dodgers. He had 55 saves for the year.

 
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2002: Randy Johnson

2002: Randy Johnson
Roy Dabner / AFP

The Big Unit won his fourth consecutive Cy Young Award, getting all 32 first-place votes. Johnson went 24-5 with a 2.32 ERA in 35 starts and had 334 strikeouts in 260 innings. 

 
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2001: Randy Johnson

2001: Randy Johnson
Matt York / AFP

Johnson won his third consecutive Cy Young, going 21-6 with a 2.49 ERA. He had 372 strikeouts in 249.2 innings.

 
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2000: Randy Johnson

2000: Randy Johnson
Rhona Wise / AFP

Johnson made it two straight Cy Youngs, going 19-7 with a 2.64 ERA in 35 starts. He had 347 strikeouts in 248.2 innings.

 
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1999: Randy Johnson

1999: Randy Johnson
Mike Fiala / AFP

Johnson went 17-9 with a 2.48 ERA in 35 starts for Arizona. He had 364 strikeouts in 271.2 innings.

 
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1998: Tom Glavine

1998: Tom Glavine
Jeff Haynes / AFP

Glavine won his second Cy Young Award despite receiving fewer first-place votes (11) than Trevor Hoffman (13). The lefty went 20-6 with a 2.47 ERA in 33 starts.

 
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1997: Pedro Martinez

1997: Pedro Martinez
Jeff Carlick / Getty Images

Pedro won the Cy Young Award with Montreal, going 17-8 with a 1.90 ERA in 31 starts. He also had 305 strikeouts in 241.1 innings. He was traded to Boston following the season.

 
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1996: John Smoltz

1996: John Smoltz
Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

Smoltz went 24-8 with a 2.94 ERA in 35 starts. He had 276 strikeouts in 253.2 innings for the Braves.

 
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1995: Greg Maddux

1995: Greg Maddux
Monica M. Davey / AFP

Maddux won his fourth straight Cy Young and was the unanimous choice after going 19-2 with a 1.63 ERA in 28 starts. He walked only 23 batters in 209.2 innings.

 
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1994: Greg Maddux

1994: Greg Maddux
Focus on Sport

Maddux was the unanimous choice, winning his third consecutive Cy Young Award with a 16-6 record and 1.56 ERA in 25 starts. He threw 10 complete games and pitched 202 innings in a strike-shortened season.

 
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1993: Greg Maddux

1993: Greg Maddux
Allen Kee / WireImage

Maddux won his second Cy Young in a row, going 20-10 in 36 starts with a 2.36 ERA. He threw 267 innings.

 
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1992: Greg Maddux

1992: Greg Maddux
Focus on Sport

Maddux won his first of four consecutive Cy Young Awards, going 20-11 with a 2.18 ERA in 35 starts for the Cubs. He threw 268 innings.

 
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1991: Tom Glavine

1991: Tom Glavine
Andrew D. Bernstein / Getty Images

Glavine won his first Cy Young after going 20-11 with a 2.55 ERA in 34 starts. He reached 246.2 innings.

 
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1990: Doug Drabek

1990: Doug Drabek
Bernstein Associates / Getty Images

Drabek earned 23 of 24 first-place votes, going 22-6 with a  2.76 ERA in 33 starts. He had nine complete games and threw 231.1 innings.

 
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1989: Mark Davis

1989: Mark Davis
Scott Halleran / Getty Images

Davis easily won the Cy Young after converting 44 saves and posting a 1.85 ERA in 70 appearances for the Padres.

 
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1988: Orel Hershiser

1988: Orel Hershiser
Focus on Sport

Hershiser was the unanimous choice for the NL Cy Young, with a 23-8 record and 2.26 ERA in 267 innings. He threw 15 complete games and had eight shutouts.

 
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1987: Steve Bedrosian

1987: Steve Bedrosian
Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

Bedrosian beat out Rick Sutcliffe and Rick Reuschel in an extremely close race, converting 40 saves for the Phillies. He had a 2.83 ERA in 89 innings.

 
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1986: Mike Scott

1986: Mike Scott
Focus on Sport

Scott beat out Fernando Valenzuela for the Cy Young, going 18-10 with a 2.22 ERA in 37 games. He had 306 strikeouts in 275.1 innings for the Astros.

 
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1985: Dwight Gooden

1985: Dwight Gooden
Rich Pilling / Getty Images

Gooden was the unanimous Cy Young choice after an amazing sophomore season. He went 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA in 35 starts and finished the year with 276.2 innings.

 
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1984: Rick Sutcliffe

1984: Rick Sutcliffe
Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery / Getty Images

Sutcliffe made only 20 starts for the Cubs but was still the unanimous Cy Young Award winner, going 16-1 with a 2.69 ERA in 150.1 innings after starting the season with the Indians.

 
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1983: John Denny

1983: John Denny
Focus on Sport

Denny's Cy Young win was nearly unanimous, after going 19-6 with a 2.37 ERA in 36 starts. He threw 242.2 innings.

 
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1982: Steve Carlton

1982: Steve Carlton
Focus on Sport

Carlson won his fourth NL Cy Young, going 23-11 with a 3.10 ERA in 38 starts. He threw 19 complete games in total 295.2 innings.

 
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1981: Fernando Valenzuela

1981: Fernando Valenzuela
Focus on Sport

Fernando Mania came to L.A., with Valenzuela winning the NL Cy Young and Rookie of the Year. He edged Tom Seaver in the Cy Young race after going 13-7 with a 2.48 ERA in 25 starts. He finished with 192.1 innings.

 
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1980: Steve Carlton

1980: Steve Carlton
Focus on Sport

Carlton's third Cy Young win was an easy one, garnering 23 of 24 first-place votes. He went 24-9 with a 2.34 ERA in 38 starts. He threw 304 innings for the Phillies.

 
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1979: Bruce Sutter

1979: Bruce Sutter
Focus on Sport

A dominant reliever for the Cubs, Sutter beat out Joe Niekro by only six points to win the Cy Young. He had a 2.22 ERA and 37 saves in 101.1 innings.

 
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1978: Gaylord Perry

1978: Gaylord Perry
Michael Zagaris / Getty Images

Perry had a great year for the Padres, going 21-6 with a 2.73 ERA in 37 starts. He earned 22 of 24 first-place votes.

 
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1977: Steve Carlton

1977: Steve Carlton
Diamond Images

Carlton won his second Cy Young, going 23-10 with a 2.64 ERA in 36 starts. He threw 283 innings.

 
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1976: Randy Jones

1976: Randy Jones
Diamond Images

Jones was a workhorse for the Padres in 1976, going 22-14 with a 2.74 ERA in 40 starts. He threw 315.1 innings and had 25 complete games.

 
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1975: Tom Seaver

1975: Tom Seaver
Focus on Sport

Seaver won his third Cy Young Award, going 22-9 with a 2.38 ERA in 36 starts. He pitched 280.1 innings and had 15 complete games, just edging Randy Jones in the voting.

 
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1974: Mike Marshall

1974: Mike Marshall
Focus on Sport / Getty Images

Marshall had an incredible season out of the pen for the Dodgers, with a 2.42 ERA and 208.1 innings over 106 appearances. He converted 21 saves.

 
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1973: Tom Seaver

1973: Tom Seaver
Focus on Sport

Seaver won his second Cy Young Award, beating out Mike Marshall after going 19-10 with a 2.08 ERA in 36 starts. He threw 290 innings.

 
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1972: Steve Carlton

1972: Steve Carlton
MLB Photos / Major League Baseball

Carlton won his first Cy Young and was the unanimous choice, going 27-10 with a 1.97 ERA in 41 starts. He threw 30 complete games and 346.1 innings for the Phillies.

 
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1971: Fergie Jenkins

1971: Fergie Jenkins
Focus on Sport

Jenkins beat out Tom Seaver for the Cy Young, going 24-13 with a 2.77 ERA in 39 starts for the Cubs. He had 30 complete games and threw 325 innings.

 
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1970: Bob Gibson

1970: Bob Gibson
Focus on Sport

Gibson won his second Cy Young in three years, going 23-7 with a 3.12 ERA in 34 starts. He had 23 complete games and threw 294 innings for the Cardinals.

 
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1969: Tom Seaver

1969: Tom Seaver
Focus on Sport

Seaver won his first Cy Young Award in 1969, going 25-7 with a 2.21 ERA in 273.1 innings for the Mets.

 
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1968: Bob Gibson

1968: Bob Gibson
Focus on Sport

Gibson broke the ERA record in 1968, going 22-9 with a 1.12 ERA in 34 starts. He threw 28 complete games and 304.2 innings as the unanimous award winner.

 
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1967: Mike McCormick

1967: Mike McCormick
The Sporting News / Sporting News

McCormick won the Cy Young after going 22-10 with a 2.85 ERA in 262.1 innings for the Giants.

 
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1966: Sandy Koufax

1966: Sandy Koufax
Louis Requena/Getty Images

Prior to 1967, there was only one Cy Young winner in all of MLB, not one for each league, so we've listed the winner each year before 1967. Koufax won in 1966, his third MLB Cy Young in four years, going 27-9 with a 1.73 ERA in 41 starts and 323 innings. He was the unanimous choice.

 
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1965: Sandy Koufax

1965: Sandy Koufax
Louis Requena/Getty Images

The Dodgers ace, Koufax won his second MLB Cy Young after going 26-8 with a 2.04 ERA in 335.2 innings.

 
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1964: Dean Chance

1964: Dean Chance
Rogers Photo Archive/Getty Images

Chance earned 17 of 20 first-place votes for the MLB Cy Young, going 20-9 with a 1.65 ERA in 278.1 innings for the Angels.

 
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1963: Sandy Koufax

1963: Sandy Koufax
B Bennett/Getty Images

Koufax won his first Cy Young in 1963, going 25-5 with a 1.88 ERA in 40 starts. He had 20 complete games, 11 shutouts and threw 311 innings.

 
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1962: Don Drysdale

1962: Don Drysdale
Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Drysdale beat out Jack Sanford, Billy Pierce and Bob Purkey for the Cy Young, going 25-9 with a 2.83 ERA in 314.1 innings for the Dodgers.

 
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1961: Whitey Ford

1961: Whitey Ford
Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Ford edged Warren Spahn and Frank Lary for the Cy Young, going 25-4 with a 3.21 ERA in 39 starts. He threw 283 innings.

 
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1960: Vern Law

1960: Vern Law
Herb Scharfman/Sports Imagery/Getty Images

Pirates ace Law beat out Warren Spahn, Ernie Broglio and Lindy McDaniel for the Cy Young, going 20-9 with a 3.08 ERA in 35 starts. He had 18 complete games and threw 271.2 innings.

 
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1959: Early Wynn

1959: Early Wynn
Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images

White Sox ace Wynn won the Cy Young in 1959, going 22-10 with a 3.17 ERA in 37 starts. He threw 255.2 innings.

 
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1958: Bob Turley

1958: Bob Turley
Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images

Turley got only five of 15 first-place votes but still won the Cy Young over Warren Spahn, Lew Burdette and Bob Friend. The New York ace went 21-7 with a 2.97 ERA in 245.1 innings.

 
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1957: Warren Spahn

1957: Warren Spahn
Rogers Photo Archive/Getty Images

Spahn earned 15 of 16 first-place votes, going 21-11 with a 2.69 ERA in 271 innings. He threw 18 complete games.

 
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1956: Don Newcombe

1956: Don Newcombe
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Newcombe won the Cy Young, going 27-7 with a 3.06 ERA in 268 innings for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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