The Chicago Cubs have a rich history of talented pitchers who have dominated on the mound. One impressive feat is achieving a 20-game winning season, a milestone that only a select few have accomplished. In this article, we will highlight six Cubs pitchers who have achieved this remarkable achievement.
Early Years of Excellence: Ed Reulbach and Mordecai Brown
In the early 20th century, the Cubs had two standout pitchers who achieved 20-game winning seasons. Ed Reulbach, a right-handed pitcher, won 24 games in 1905, a season that still ranks among the top in Cubs history. Reulbach's impressive record was a key factor in the Cubs' National League pennant that year. Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown, another Cubs great, won 26 games in 1908, helping the team win the World Series that season.
Reulbach's and Brown's Contributions to Cubs History
- Reulbach's 24 wins in 1905 still rank among the top 5 single-season wins in Cubs history.
- Brown's 26 wins in 1908 are the most in a single season by a Cubs pitcher in the 20th century.
Rick Sutcliffe: The Dominant Force of the 1980s
Rick Sutcliffe, a right-handed pitcher, had an incredible 1984 season, winning 20 games and leading the Cubs to the National League East division title. Sutcliffe's dominant performance earned him the National League Cy Young Award, becoming the first Cubs pitcher to win the award since 1963.
Sutcliffe's Impressive Statistics
- 20-6 record with a 3.64 ERA in 1984
- 213 strikeouts, the most in the National League that season
- Won the National League Cy Young Award, the first Cubs pitcher to do so since 1963
Jon Lester: A Dominant Force in the 2010s
Jon Lester, a left-handed pitcher, had a remarkable 2016 season, winning 19 games and helping the Cubs win the World Series. Although he didn't quite reach the 20-win mark, his dominance on the mound was a key factor in the Cubs' championship season.
Lester's Contributions to the Cubs' 2016 Championship
- 19-5 record with a 2.44 ERA in 2016
- 197 strikeouts, the most on the Cubs that season
- Pitched 6 shutout innings in Game 5 of the World Series, helping the Cubs force a Game 7
Other Notable Cubs Pitchers with 20-Game Winning Seasons
- Larry Jackson (1964): 24-11 record with a 3.19 ERA
- Ferguson Jenkins (1971): 24-13 record with a 2.77 ERA
- Greg Maddux (1992): 20-2 record with a 2.18 ERA
Key Statistics for Each Pitcher
- Larry Jackson: 24 wins, 201 strikeouts, and a 3.19 ERA in 1964
- Ferguson Jenkins: 24 wins, 184 strikeouts, and a 2.77 ERA in 1971
- Greg Maddux: 20 wins, 199 strikeouts, and a 2.18 ERA in 1992
As we can see, these six Cubs pitchers have achieved impressive feats on the mound, with some even leading the team to championships. Their dominance on the mound has cemented their places in Cubs history, and their achievements continue to inspire new generations of pitchers.
Who is the most recent Cubs pitcher to achieve a 20-game winning season?
+Jon Lester's 19-5 record in 2016 was the closest a Cubs pitcher has come to achieving a 20-game winning season in recent years.
What is the most wins by a Cubs pitcher in a single season?
+Ed Reulbach's 24 wins in 1905 are the most by a Cubs pitcher in a single season.
Who is the Cubs pitcher with the most career wins?
+Greg Maddux holds the record for most career wins by a Cubs pitcher with 355 wins.