Justin-credible

Verlander's 2011 season will go down as one
of the best in baseball history.

In a unanimous decision, Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander was named the American League Cy Young recipient Tuesday, receiving all 28 first-place votes from the members of the Baseball's Writers Association of America.

In the finest year of his brief, but bright seven-year career, Verlander stated his case as the best pitcher in the game, posting career-bests in wins (24), winning percentage (.828), earned run average (2.40), innings (251), WHIP (0.92) and now has the hardware to prove it.

Verlander becomes only the third pitcher in history to win the award while wearing the Tiger uniform. Right-hander Denny McLain was the first Detroit pitcher to take home the honor way back in 1968. McLain would repeat and win his second the following season in 1969, but had to share the honor with Baltimore's Mike Cuellar.

Fifteen years later, Willie Hernandez became not only the second Tiger in history to be recognized, but the second relief pitcher in history to receive the trophy, going 9-3 with 32 saves and a 1.92 ERA in 1984.

To go along with their Cy Young awards, both McLain and Hernandez are part of a limited class, receiving the AL Most Valuable Player Award in the same season, a feat Verlander hopes to accomplish as well.

Since the award was established in 1956, only nine pitchers in Major League history have been both honored with the Cy Young and MVP in the same season. Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley was the last pitcher to earn both honors as a member of the Oakland Athletics in 1992.

The 28-year-old Verlander becomes only the ninth AL pitcher to win the award by unanimous decision and the 21st overall. Now-New York Mets left-hander Johan Santana was the last AL pitcher to receive a unanimous selection, while pitching for the Minnesota Twins in 2006, oddly enough Verlander's rookie campaign.

Verlander's 24 wins, 2.40 ERA, and 250 strikeouts led the AL this season, becoming the 16th pitcher in AL history to win the pitching Triple Crown and with that, history held true.

The four-time All-Star is the 12th pitcher in Major League history to win the pitching Triple Crown and receive a unanimous selection in the Cy Young voting. Roger Clemens is the only pitcher to win the award and not have his selection unanimous after winning the Triple Crown. That came in 1997, when Clemens was pitching for the last-place Toronto Blue Jays.

Hall of Famer Hal Newhouser was the last Detroit pitcher to earn the Triple Crown. That coming in his 1945 MVP season.

It's a fitting end to a year that didn't start in the right direction. Verlander started off the season rather slow, going 2-3 in his first 7 starts, but after throwing his second career no-hitter on May 7, north of the border, the right-hander went 22-2 in his final 27 starts of the season, helping the Tiger capture their first AL Central division title in franchise history.

With Verlander totaling his maximum 160 points in the voting, Angels pitcher Jered Weaver finished second, tallying 97 points. Tampa Bay's James Shields and New York's CC Sabathia finished third and fourth, respectively.

With his first career Cy Young in the bag, Verlander puts his sights on the MVP, an award announced on Nov. 21.