James Shields Cy Young Runner-Up (2012, 2016)
The lefty who finished just short of the Cy Young crown twice while leading the Rays' pitching resurgence.
This left-handed workhorse anchored the pitching staff as the franchise climbed from expansion obscurity to become a playoff contender. His outings during those years proved he could dominate across the league, even while working for a budget-conscious roster.
- Role
- Starting Pitcher
- Affiliation
- Tampa Bay Rays (2008–2015)
- First Major League Appearance
- 2008
- Cy Young Finish
- 2nd Place (AL)
- Status
- Retired
Lore & Background
In a surprising turn of events that defied his age and recent career trajectory, he delivered another elite campaign, finishing second in Cy Young voting once again, this time behind Corey Kluber. This rare feat of being the runner-up twice with the same franchise cements his legacy as perhaps the most consistent pitcher in Rays history.
In Their Own Story
The humid air of Tropicana Field hangs heavy over the mound as James Shields wipes sweat from his brow. It is late summer, and the crowd's roar is a mix of anticipation and reverence for the lefty who has carried this team through years of uncertainty. As he winds up, the motion is smooth, a testament to thousands of innings thrown on this diamond. He delivers the pitch, watching it dance away from the batter's bat, another strike in a season that will once again leave him inches from baseball's highest individual honor.
Reader's Guide
This performance placed him second in AL Cy Young voting behind teammate David Price, marking the first time two players from the same team took the top two spots in the award's history. Shields' 2012 campaign was historic for its sheer volume and efficiency; he led the league in wins and finished third in strikeouts. Despite the strong showing, the narrative of a young David Price emerging as the future ace slightly overshadowed Shields' veteran dominance in the eyes of voters that year. Comparatively, finishing as the runner-up twice is an achievement shared by very few pitchers in MLB history. Shields' ability to maintain this level of performance across different phases of his career highlights his unique role in the Rays' transition from a small-market underdog to a perennial playoff threat.
Did You Know?
- Shields and David Price were the first two players from the same team to finish 1st and 2nd in Cy Young voting in the same season (2012).
- He is one of only two pitchers in MLB history to finish as a runner-up for the Cy Young Award twice while playing for the Tampa Bay Rays.
- Shields threw over 3,000 innings during his career, with nearly half of those coming during his tenure with the Rays.
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