Bret Saberhagen Cy Young Award (1989)
Two-time Cy Young winner and 1985 World Series MVP who threw a no-hitter in 1991.
Bret William Saberhagen (born April 11, 1964) is an American former professional baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, and Boston Red Sox from 1984 through 1999, and a comeback in 2001. Known for his blazing fastball and pinpoint control, Saberhagen was named a three-time All-Star, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, a Gold Glove Award winner, and the Most Valuable Player of the 1985 World Series as the Royals beat the St. Louis Cardinals in 7 games. He led MLB in wins and earned run average in 1989, and threw a no-hitter in 1991.
Quick Facts
- Player
- Bret Saberhagen
- Team
- Kansas City Royals
- Award
- American League Cy Young Award
- Year
- 1989
- Status
- Retired Legend
- League
- AL
Lore & Background
Saberhagen was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois. His parents, Linda and Bob, divorced when he was five years old. He attended Grover Cleveland High School in Reseda, California, where he starred in basketball and baseball. In 1982, during his senior year, he pitched a no-hitter and was the winning pitcher in the Los Angeles City Championship game at Dodger Stadium. He also played football in high school. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 19th round of the 1982 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut at age 19 on April 4, 1984. In 1985, he went 20–6 with a 2.87 ERA and won the American League Cy Young Award, leading the Royals to a World Series championship and earning World Series MVP. He won his second Cy Young Award in 1989 with a 23–6 record and a 2.16 ERA. On August 26, 1991, he no-hit the Chicago White Sox 7-0 at Royals Stadium; to date, the no-hitter is the last thrown by a Royal.
Reader's Guide
Saberhagen's career included stints with the Royals (1984–1991), Mets (1992–1995), Rockies (1995), and Red Sox (1997–1999, 2001). He was traded to the Mets on December 11, 1991, along with Bill Pecota, for Kevin McReynolds, Gregg Jefferies, and Keith Miller. He struggled with injuries in 1992 and 1993, then went 14–4 in the strike-shortened 1994 season. In 1995, he joined the Rockies and lost his only postseason start. He did not pitch in 1996 due to injury. With the Red Sox, he won the Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award and the Tony Conigliaro Award in 1998. He retired after the 2001 season. After playing, he coached the Calabasas High School Coyotes varsity baseball team in Calabasas, California, starting in 2006, and resigned in October 2007 before returning before the 2008 season. He resides in Thousand Oaks, California.
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