The Mariners’ Felix Hernandez was named the American League’s Cy Young Award winner on Thursday after receiving 21 of 28 first-place votes.
“King Felix” won the award despite his 13-12 record, although it’s fair to note that the Mariners’ offense resembled that of a Little League team and not a professional baseball club. (And not a good Little League team either.) Hernandez led baseball with a 2.27 ERA and innings pitched (249 2/3) while also finishing second in strikeouts (232) and WHIP (1.06), so the award was well-deserved.
David Price finished second in the voting and received four first-place votes. Yankees’ starter CC Sabathia, who finished third, received three first-place votes while Jon Lester, Jered Weaver and Clay Buchholz received support from voters as well.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com, the Mariners are 80/1 to win the World Series next season. To check out futures on all MLB teams, check out our 2011 MLB Futures section.