Fun fact: Jake Peavy is the best pitcher in the National League. Hey, just because it’s obvious, doesn’t mean it’s not true. The Baseball Writers Association of America apparently agreed with that sentiment this year, as on Nov. 15, they voted Peavy the unanimous winner of the N.L. Cy Young Award.
The decision was most definitely warranted. Peavy finished the season as the National League leader in wins (19), strikeouts (240) and ERA (2.54), which is a pitcher’s version of the triple crown.
In the past 40 years, only Randy Johnson (2002), Dwight Gooden (1985) and Steve Carlton (1972) can make that claim. Peavy’s strikeout total and ERA also led all of major league baseball.
Peavy received all 32 first-place votes to finish ahead of Arizona’s Brandon Webb, who tallied 31 of 32 second place votes. It was only the 12th time in National League history that a pitcher was voted as a unanimous winner of the award.
“I don’t think that you dream about anything like this happening to you or your family,” Peavy said in a press conference on Nov. 16 at Petco Park. “You watch some guys around the league achieve some pretty cool things, and to be recognized is truly humbling. It’s an honor.”
The 26-year-old Peavy has spent his entire six-year career with the Padres and is widely regarded as one of the game’s elite hurlers. His winning of the top individual pitching honor adds credibility to that.
During the press conference, he thanked his family, the Padres coaches and players, the front office, the training staff and the great fans for the support they’ve offered him throughout his days as a Friar.
“It’s incredible to bring this award home for San Diego,” he said. “We don’t get a lot of recognition. And I’m danged glad to be a San Diego Padre. This ol’ Alabama boy has found a home out here, and thank you [fans] for embracing me and my family.”
Despite his firmly entrenched spot in the legacy of the Padres organization, Peavy’s future with the team remains in doubt. The club has an option on his contract after next season, which, if it chooses to not pick up, makes the right-hander eligible for free agency. After having won a Cy Young Award, his value is at an all-time high, and many other big-market teams are certain to entertain offers for Peavy.
Obviously, San Diego wants to sign him to a lucrative extension, but given the current market for starting pitchers (Carlos Zambrano, 5 years, $91 million; Barry Zito, 7 years, $126 million), it may be difficult for the Padres to pay Peavy what he will undoubtedly be offered by someone else. Still, his heart is with the organization.
“I’m proud to be a Padre. I’m not afraid to say that,” he said. “I know Barry [Axelrod, Peavy’s agent] might not want me to say that. These people, from Kevin [Towers, Padres GM] to John [Moores, Padres owner], they’ve given me my start. I’m glad to wear this uniform and I certainly look forward to doing that for years to come, if that’s what happens.”
Peavy is the fourth Padres pitcher to receive the award, joining reliever Mark Davis (1989), Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry (1978) and lefty Randy Jones (1976).
Never one to focus on individual glories, Peavy was as humble as ever upon acceptance.
“I accept this award on behalf of the organization, the people in that clubhouse, the 25 guys with me in the dugout on a nightly basis,” he said. “I believe we got something special here. You’ve got my word, I’m gonna come back as hungry as ever and try to repeat this performance.”