Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 3, 1993 TAG: 9311030122
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
"It's one of those historical things, and whenever you get to be a part of that, it's pretty amazing, something I really cherish," said the 27-year-old right-hander.
McDowell, who was 22-10 for the Chicago White Sox and led the AL in victories, easily outdistanced Randy Johnson of the Seattle Mariners in voting by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Last year, McDowell won 20 games and finished 56 points behind Oakland reliever Dennis Eckersley.
"Last year, it was a thrill just coming in second, and I didn't expect to have such a season this year," McDowell said. "You don't count on winning awards."
This time, McDowell received 21 first-place votes, six seconds and one third for 124 points based on a 5-3-1 system. Johnson had six firsts, 14 seconds and one third for 75 points.
Kevin Appier of the Kansas City Royals was third in the balloting, with 30 points, followed by Jimmy Key of the New York Yankees (14 points) and Toronto reliever Duane Ward (five). Two Blue Jays followed, with Pat Hentgen getting three points and Juan Guzman receiving one.
McDowell led the AL this year with four shutouts and was second with 256 innings. But his 3.37 ERA was the third-highest for a Cy Young winner.
LaMarr Hoyt of the White Sox had a 3.68 ERA in 1983 and Rick Sutcliffe a 3.64 ERA in 1984 with Cleveland and the Chicago Cubs. Sutcliffe was 4-5 with a 5.15 ERA for Cleveland and 16-1 with a 2.69 ERA for the Cubs.
"If you are throwing 230 innings, 240 innings, 250 innings, you've got to be doing everything else well and throwing pretty well to be throwing that many innings a year," McDowell said.
He slumped late, going 2-3 with a 3.51 ERA after Aug. 31 and 0-2 with a 10.00 ERA against Toronto in Chicago's six-game American League Championship Series loss. But voting was completed before the start of the postseason.
"The team was really close," McDowell said. "For a few years after I got here, the team changed over every year. I'm definitely looking forward to staying here."
There is concern McDowell might not be with the White Sox much longer. He is eligible for free agency after the 1994 season and there has been speculation of a trade if he doesn't agree to a multiyear deal.
"Talks have been going well, and I hope we can work things out," he said. "I wouldn't say we're close or far away. Obviously, if we can't come to terms, it might be in their best interest to make a deal at some point. That's why we're working hard to get something done."
McDowell, who has changed his image by dying his hair and beard blond since the end of the playoffs, is the winningest pitcher of the 1990s at 73-39. He is third among active pitchers in winning percentage at .623, trailing Roger Clemens of Boston and Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets, both .655.
McDowell is the third White Sox pitcher to win the award, joining Hoyt and Early Wynn (1959).
Only two players received bonuses for their Cy Young finishes. Key got $50,000 and Ward picked up $25,000.
by CNB