This Day in Yankees History: Bob Turley wins the Cy Young Award

Welcome to the relaunched This Day in Yankees History. As the offseason has begun in earnest, the Pinstripe Alley team has decided to continue the revived program in its new format. These daily posts will highlight two or three key moments in Yankees history on a given date, as well as recognize players born on the day. Hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane with us!

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This Day in Yankees History (November 12)

62 Years Ago

Yankees right-hander Bob Turley won the Cy Young Award on this day in 1958. He compiled an impressive 21-7 record and won another two games for New York in the World Series that year.

Turley was traded from Baltimore to the Yankees in 1955, in what was then—and still stands as—the biggest deal in MLB history. “Biggest,” not in terms of salary, but with regard to the largest volume of players. Turley was the centerpiece of a 17-player swap with Baltimore. In exchange for Turley, Don Larsen, and shortstop Billy Hunter, Baltimore received shortstop Willy Miranda, outfielder Gene Woodling, pitchers Harry Byrd and Jim McDonald and a number of minor leaguers.

Turley won his first seven starts in 1958, including four shutouts and a one-hitter. And while Turley dominated on the mound all season, his performance against the Braves in the 1958 World Series was even more impressive.

With Turley on the mound, and the Yankees one game away from elimination, the team began what is widely considered to be the greatest comeback in World Series history. Turley threw a shutout in Game 5, picked up a 10th-inning save in Game 6 and another win in Game 7.

For his grace under pressure when it mattered most, Turley was named the Most Valuable Player of the Series and won the 1958 Cy Young Award. Back in the day, only one pitcher received the award. Which is to say: Bob Turley was the best pitcher in baseball.

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Happy birthday to Homer Bush, who turns 48 years old today. He won a World Series ring as a fan favorite off the bench for the dominant 1998 Yankees, hitting .380/.421/.465 in 45 games. Bush later went to the Blue Jays along with David Wells and Graeme Lloyd in the trade that brought Roger Clemens to the Bronx in 1999. Many happy returns, Homer!

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We thank Baseball-Reference, SABR.org and Nationalpastime.com for providing background information for these posts.