On Wednesday, Tarik Skubal was named the unanimous winner of the 2024 American League Cy Young Award winner. This news came on the day when the Detroit Tigers ace celebrated his 28th birthday.
In the 2024 season, Skubal led in wins (18), and strikeouts (228) and had the lowest ERA (2.39). This saw him win the American League Triple Crown as he lead in all three of this categories.
This strong performance made him the favorite to take home the crown. In the end, he finished as the unanimous winner as he received all 30 first-place votes. Kansas City Royals’ right-hander Seth Lugo finished as the runner-up while Cleveland Guardians’ closer, Emmanuel Clase came in third.
His victory this year also means that for the third year running the American League had produced a unanimous Cy Young Award winner. Gerrit Cole (2023) and Justin Verlander (2022) also won the award by receiving all 30 first-place votes.
UNANIMOUS 🙌
Tarik Skubal received ALL 30 first place votes for AL Cy Young!! pic.twitter.com/IznhTMDdZo
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 20, 2024
Skubal is now the fifth Tigers’ star to win this prestigious award. This win sees him join Max Scherzer (2013), Justin Verlander (2011), Willie Hernández (1984), and Denny McLain (1968 and 1969) in an exclusive list of Tigers players to take home this crown.
During an interview with MLB Network, Skubal would claim that it was a “pretty special” moment for him to win this award.
It’s pretty special. All the hard work, all that goes on behind the scenes, moments like this make it extremely worth it.
Tarik Skubal said
UNANIMOUS
2024 American League Cy Young Award Winner Tarik Skubal 🏆 pic.twitter.com/8D3paCfMlN
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) November 20, 2024
As for the National League, veteran pitcher Chris Sale was named as the Cy Young Award winner. His victory meant that only for the fourth time in MLB history, both Cy Young Awards winners were triple crown champions of their respective leagues.
Tarik Skubal’s performances this season left a huge mark on the fans. Even before the season was concluded, there were several shouts from them regarding him being named the American League Cy Young Award winner.
Fans on social media were in a celebratory mood. Many of them would congratulate him on this win. One fan, seemingly super happy and excited with Skubal’s win labeled him as the, “best pitcher in baseball.” Meanwhile, others urged team owner Christopher Ilitch to pay him whatever he wants and extend his contract soon.
Check out them and some more reactions from X regarding this development below:
PAY THAT MAN🔥
Best pitcher in baseball!
— blake (@iyokil24) November 20, 2024
100% deserved. Now pay the Cy Young Winner
— Aka-RINNNNNNN 🪶🐙🐾🦈🔎🥐🍙 (@cedric_alpha) November 20, 2024
EXTEND HIM MAKE HIM A TIGER FOR LIFE
— will: Riley Greene Truther (@wrhiv_72) November 21, 2024
HEY CHRIS
STOP PLAYING AND PAY THE BEST PITCHER IN BASEBALL
— THE RED RANGER (@THEREDRANGER3) November 20, 2024
Called it in February. #CySkubal pic.twitter.com/iDRKDtFMzB
— Chris (@chrisp981) November 20, 2024
THE GOAT!!!!!!
— THE REAL VADER (@jamesvader1212) November 20, 2024
hell of a birthday present
— Freddie🫡 (@YankeesSzn99) November 20, 2024
Unanimous win too, well deserved
— Anna-Saphia (@amput007) November 21, 2024
This was a no brainer. Tarik was an absolute DAWG this season!
— Brett Windisch (@SkippsviewBrett) November 20, 2024
BANGGG, W SKUBAL
— John 🇨🇻 (@YaBoyyyJohn) November 20, 2024
Skubal played a huge in the Tigers’ resurgence this year. After the team finished with a 78-84 record in 2023, they went on to reach the American League Division Series after finishing this year with an improved 86-76 record.
He and his team though endured a huge heartbreak in Game 5 of the ALDS as he gave up a grand slam to Lane Thomas of Cleveland Guardians. The Guards went on to win that game 7-3 and eliminated their AL Central rivals from the postseason.
