History of Cy Young in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 26, 2025

Denton True "Cy" Young was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1890 to 1911. He began his career with the Cleveland Spiders and later played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Naps, and Boston Rustlers. Young helped the Boston Red Sox win the 1903 World Series. He holds numerous pitching records, including most career wins. Cy Young's success and longevity in baseball led to the annual award for the best pitcher in each league being named the Cy Young Award in his honor.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1900: Young pitched two consecutive incomplete games

In 1900, a decade into his career, Cy Young pitched two consecutive incomplete games.

1900: Perfectos finished fifth

In 1900, the St. Louis Perfectos, restocked with Cleveland Spiders talent including Cy Young, finished fifth in the league.

1901: Joined the Boston Americans

In 1901, Cy Young joined the American League's Boston Americans for a $3,500 contract, leaving St. Louis. That year, he led the league in wins, strikeouts, and ERA, earning the AL Triple Crown for pitchers.

1901: Led the league in wins

In 1901, Cy Young led his league in wins.

February 1902: Pitching coach at Harvard University

In February 1902, Cy Young served as a pitching coach at Harvard University.

1902: Young did not lead his league until 1902

In 1902, Cy Young did not lead his league in innings pitched.

October 1, 1903: First Modern World Series Game

On October 1, 1903, the inaugural game of the modern World Series took place, featuring the American League champion Boston Pilgrims, led by Cy Young, against the National League champion Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pilgrims won the series five games to three.

1903: Coached at Mercer University

In 1903, Cy Young coached at Mercer University during the spring.

1903: Won the World Series

In 1903, Cy Young helped the Boston Red Sox win the World Series.

1903: Led the league in wins

In 1903, Cy Young led his league in wins.

1903: First Game of the 1903 World Series

In 1903, Cy Young pitched the first game of the World Series on the Huntington Avenue Grounds, which was also the site of his first perfect game in the modern era of baseball.

1903: Played in first modern World Series

In 1903, Cy Young started Game One against the Pittsburgh Pirates, throwing the first pitch in modern World Series history, and ultimately helped Boston defeat Pittsburgh in the series.

May 2, 1904: Philadelphia Athletics pitcher Rube Waddell one-hit Boston

On May 2, 1904, Philadelphia Athletics pitcher Rube Waddell taunted Young to face him so that he could repeat his performance against Boston's ace.

1904: Pitched a perfect game

In 1904, Cy Young pitched a perfect game, one of three no-hitters in his career.

1904: Mercer University state champions

In 1904, Cy Young's Mercer University team went on to win the Georgia state championship.

July 4, 1905: Lost 20-inning matchup

On July 4, 1905, Rube Waddell beat Cy Young and the Americans, 4–2, in a 20-inning matchup.

1905: Threw a perfect game

In 1905, Cy Young pitched the third perfect game in baseball history.

1905: Mercer University state champions

In 1905, Cy Young's Mercer University team went on to win the Georgia state championship.

1907: Faced off against Rube Waddell

In 1907, Cy Young and Rube Waddell faced off in a scoreless 13-inning tie.

August 13, 1908: "Cy Young Day" celebration

On August 13, 1908, the league celebrated "Cy Young Day" with no American League games played and an All-Star game in Boston.

1908: Played with the Boston Red Sox franchise

In 1908, Cy Young played with the Boston Red Sox franchise.

1909: Traded back to Cleveland

Before the 1909 season, Cy Young was traded back to Cleveland to play for the Cleveland Naps.

1909: Played for Boston until 1909

Cy Young remained with the Boston Americans team until 1909.

1909: Young was in his league's top 10 for innings pitched

In 1909, Cy Young was in his league's top 10 for innings pitched.

1910: Young became a vegetarian

In 1910, it was reported that Cy Young became a vegetarian, after baseball and working on his farm.

1910: Won 500th career game

In 1910, on July 19, Cy Young won his 500th career game against Washington.

September 22, 1911: Last career victory

On September 22, 1911, Cy Young shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates, 1–0, for his last career victory.

1911: Retired from baseball

In 1911, Cy Young retired from baseball after splitting the season with the Cleveland Naps and Boston Rustlers.

1913: Manager of the Cleveland Green Sox

In 1913, Cy Young served as manager of the Cleveland Green Sox of the Federal League.

1916: Ran for county treasurer

In 1916, Cy Young ran for county treasurer in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

1921: Strikeout record broken

In 1921, Cy Young's career record for strikeouts was broken by Walter Johnson.

1930: Pitched against Eddie Collins

Cy Young's career is seen as a bridge from baseball's earliest days to its modern era; he pitched against Eddie Collins, who played until 1930.

1933: Death of his wife Roba

In 1933, Cy Young's wife, Roba, whom he had known since childhood, died.

1937: Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame

In 1937, 26 years after he retired from baseball, Cy Young was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

1937: Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame

In 1937, Cy Young was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

1940: Income source

By 1940, Cy Young's only source of income was stock dividends of $300 per year.

April 13, 1955: Appeared on television show

On April 13, 1955, Cy Young appeared on the television show I've Got a Secret.

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November 4, 1955: Cy Young's Death

On November 4, 1955, Cy Young died at the age of 88 on the Benedums' farm. He was later buried in Peoli, Ohio.

1956: Cy Young Award Created

In 1956, about one year after Cy Young's death, the Cy Young Award was created to honor the best pitcher in Major League Baseball for each season.

1967: Two Cy Young Awards created

In 1967, the Cy Young Award was divided into two awards, one for each league.

September 23, 1993: Statue Dedicated to Cy Young

On September 23, 1993, Northeastern University unveiled a statue dedicated to Cy Young. The statue was placed on the site of the Red Sox's original stadium, Huntington Avenue Grounds, where Young pitched the first game of the 1903 World Series and the first perfect game in the modern baseball era.

1999: Ranked Among Baseball's Greatest Players

In 1999, 88 years after his final major league appearance and 44 years after his death, The Sporting News ranked Cy Young 14th on their list of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players". Also in 1999, baseball fans named him to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.