James Shields Cy Young Runner-Up (2012, 2016)

Lore & Background

In a surprising turn of events that defied his age and recent career trajectory, he delivered another elite campaign, finishing second in Cy Young voting once again, this time behind Corey Kluber. This rare feat of being the runner-up twice with the same franchise cements his legacy as perhaps the most consistent pitcher in Rays history.

Reader's Guide

This performance placed him second in AL Cy Young voting behind teammate David Price, marking the first time two players from the same team took the top two spots in the award's history. Shields' 2012 campaign was historic for its sheer volume and efficiency; he led the league in wins and finished third in strikeouts. Despite the strong showing, the narrative of a young David Price emerging as the future ace slightly overshadowed Shields' veteran dominance in the eyes of voters that year. Comparatively, finishing as the runner-up twice is an achievement shared by very few pitchers in MLB history. Shields' ability to maintain this level of performance across different phases of his career highlights his unique role in the Rays' transition from a small-market underdog to a perennial playoff threat.

Did You Know?

• He is one of only two pitchers in MLB history to finish as a runner-up for the Cy Young Award twice while playing for the Tampa Bay Rays.
• Shields threw over 3,000 innings during his career, with nearly half of those coming during his tenure with the Rays.