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Boston Red Sox Cy Young Award winners before it existed

By Rick McNair

October 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello (22) throws in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians during game one of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball game at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
October 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello (22) throws in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians during game one of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball game at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Red Sox may have had several Cy Young Award winners before there was an award. Take a look back at who may have won the award or come close.

Sep 21, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (R) and former pitcher Pedro Martinez celebrate during a pregame ceremony to honor Ortiz
Sep 21, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (R) and former pitcher Pedro Martinez celebrate during a pregame ceremony to honor Ortiz /

Rick Porcello has joined an elite group of pitchers who have won the prestigious Cy Young Award. The last Red Sox player to win the coveted honor was Pedro Martinez, who should eventually wander into the ranks of the Hall of Fame.

The award itself was implemented in 1956 to honor the recently deceased Cy Young, who retired as the all-time leader in several pitching categories, including a mind-boggling 511 wins. Young also is the Boston Red Sox co-leader in wins with 191.

Initially, the award was issued for just baseball and not an award for an American and National League pitcher. That process started in 1967 and Jim Lonborg won in the American League with a 22-9 record for the league champion Red Sox.

Baseball has had a spotty record in honoring players, as even the Most Valuable Player Award has drifted through the years. Pitchers could certainly win the MVP before you had one set aside for pitchers and they occasionally did. Pitchers have also won an MVP and a Cy Young Award the same season, but what about the years before a Cy Young Award was implemented?

Looking back in Red Sox history with special emphasis on 1901-1920 era just how would the Red Sox pitchers have done if there was such an award? Who would have been able to post the type of numbers that would generate the votes necessary? Here is a look at few probable winners.

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