List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In baseball, earned run average (ERA) is a statistic used to measure the performance of pitchers. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched, and multiplying by nine.[a]

Major League Baseball recognizes the player in each league[b] with the lowest earned run average each season.[c] The first ERA champion in the National League was George Bradley; in the National League's inaugural 1876 season, Bradley posted a 1.23 ERA for the St. Louis Brown Stockings, allowing 78 earned runs in 573 innings pitched.[1] The American League was established in 1901, and Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young led that league with a 1.62 ERA for the Boston Americans during the 1901 season.[2]

Over the course of his 17-year major league career, Lefty Grove led the American League in ERA nine times, with a career single-season low of 2.06 for the 1931 Philadelphia Athletics.[3] Roger Clemens has won the second-most ERA titles, capturing six in the American League and one in the National League.[4] Sandy Koufax led the National League in ERA for five consecutive seasons (1962–1966); Koufax' five awards are the most won consecutively by any player and are tied for the most awards by a player in the National League with Christy Mathewson and Clayton Kershaw.[5][6][7] In the American League, Walter Johnson also won five ERA titles,[8] and Pedro Martínez has won a total of five (four American League and one National League) with two different teams.[9]

The most recent ERA champions are Tarik Skubal in the American League and Paul Skenes in the National League.

The lowest single-season ERA in league history was posted by Tim Keefe, whose 0.86 ERA in 105 innings pitched for the National League's Troy Trojans in 1880 led his closest competitor by .52 runs.[10] In the American League, Dutch Leonard's 0.96 ERA is a single-season record.[11] Keefe and Leonard are the only two pitchers ever to allow less than one run per nine innings pitched in a single season. The widest margin of victory for an ERA champion is 1.96 runs, achieved when Martínez's 1.74 ERA led Clemens' 3.70 in the American League during the 2000 season. The largest margin of victory in the National League is 1.26 runs—Dazzy Vance's 2.61 ERA over Carl Hubbell's 3.87 in 1930. The smallest margin of victory for an ERA champion is .009 runs. Although the statistic is traditionally recorded to two decimal places by most sources,[12][13][14] the 1988 American League title was decided by a margin of less than one hundredth of a run when Allan Anderson's ERA of 2.446 (55 earned runs in 202+1⁄3 innings)[15] bested Teddy Higuera's 2.455 mark (62 earned runs in 227+1⁄3 innings).[16] Other contests decided by one hundredth or less include Luis Tiant's 1.91 ERA ahead of Gaylord Perry's 1.92 in 1972[17][18] and Mark Fidrych (2.34) over Vida Blue (2.35) in 1976.[19][20]

Hoyt Wilhelm was the first pitcher in the modern era to lead both leagues in ERA (1952 with the New York Giants and 1959 with the Baltimore Orioles).[21][22]

Key

More information Year, Leader ...
Year Links to the corresponding "year in baseball" or "Major League Baseball season" article
Leader Player with the lowest earned run average (ERA) in the league
Runner-up Player with the second-best ERA in the league
League Denoted only for players outside of the modern major leagues
† Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Close

National League

A shoulders-up photograph of a dark-haired man with a thick mustache. He is wearing a dark suit with a dark-patterned tie.
Tommy Bond won the triple crown in 1877, leading the National League in wins, strikeouts, and ERA.[23]
A dark-haired man wearing a black sweater and crownless baseball cap looks into the camera. His hair hangs down over his right side of his forehead, and he has a slight smirk on his face.
Christy Mathewson's career ERA of 2.13 is eighth on the all-time list; he led the National League in ERA five times during his career.
A man in a baseball cap and V-neck buttoned sweater looks to the left of the image. His sweater and his hat both display the letter "P" in block type, and he holds a baseball bat over his shoulder with both hands.
Grover Cleveland Alexander won the National League ERA title four times with two different teams (the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs).
Two images spliced together: both images feature the same man in a white baseball uniform and dark baseball cap, following through after throwing a baseball. The left uniform has a dark collar and a strip down the center of the shirt with "CUBS" over the left breast, and the right uniform features a dark, pointed, and elongated "C" with the silhouette of a bear inside it.
Mordecai "Three-Finger" Brown led the league in ERA in 1906 and finished second three times.
A seated man in a white baseball cap and white baseball uniform shown from the chest up. He is looking to the left of the image. He has a small mustache, and his jersey reads "NEW YORK" in dark block type, partially obscured by a short tie worn around his neck under the collar of his jersey.
Amos Rusie led the National League in ERA in 1894 and 1897, and finished second to Ted Breitenstein in 1893.
A smiling man in a white baseball jersey and dark baseball cap with an interlocked white "LA" on the front.
Sandy Koufax' five consecutive seasons leading the National League in ERA is an NL record.
A man in a white baseball uniform with navy blue trim and a navy blue baseball cap throws a baseball from a dirt mound in a stadium with his right hand. His uniform reads "Padres" across the chest in navy blue script trimmed with khaki, and his cap features an interlocked "SD" in white block print. He is wearing a black baseball glove on his left hand.
Jake Peavy's 2007 ERA of 2.54 led all National League pitchers.[24]
A man in a white baseball uniform and a blue baseball cap throws a baseball from a dirt mound on a grass field. He is throwing with his left hand, and there is a black baseball glove on his right hand.
Johan Santana won the ERA title in his first National League season after eight years with the Minnesota Twins.
A man in a gray baseball uniform with red trim and a navy baseball cap follows through after throwing a baseball from a dirt mound on a grass field with his right hand. His cap has an interlocked "StL" on the front in red type trimmed with white, and he has a black baseball glove on his left hand.
Chris Carpenter had the lowest ERA in the National League in 2009.
Clayton Kershaw is the first pitcher in history to lead MLB in ERA for 4 consecutive years (2011–2014).
More information Year, Leader ...
Year Leader ERA Team Runner-up ERA Ref
1876George Bradley1.23St. Louis Brown StockingsJim Devlin1.56[25]
1877Tommy Bond2.11Boston Red CapsTerry Larkin2.14[26]
1878John Montgomery Ward†1.51Providence GraysJim McCormick1.69[27]
1879Tommy Bond1.96Boston Red CapsWill White1.99[28]
1880Tim Keefe†0.86Troy TrojansGeorge Bradley1.38[29]
1881Stump Weidman1.80Detroit WolverinesJohn Montgomery Ward†2.13[30]
1882Larry Corcoran1.95Chicago White StockingsCharles Radbourn†2.09[31]
1883Jim McCormick1.84Cleveland BluesCharles Radbourn†2.05[32]
1884Charles Radbourn†1.38Providence GraysCharlie Sweeney1.55[33]
1885Tim Keefe†1.58New York GiantsMickey Welch†1.66[34]
1886Henry Boyle1.76St. Louis MaroonsCharlie Ferguson1.96[35]
1887Dan Casey2.86Philadelphia PhilliesPete Conway2.90[36]
1888Tim Keefe†1.74New York GiantsBen Sanders1.90[37]
1889John Clarkson†2.73Boston BeaneatersJersey Bakley2.96[38]
1890Billy Rhines1.95Cincinnati RedsKid Nichols†2.23[39]
1891John Ewing2.27New York GiantsKid Nichols†2.39[40]
1892Cy Young†1.93Cleveland SpidersTim Keefe†2.36[41]
1893Ted Breitenstein3.18St. Louis BrownsAmos Rusie†3.23[42]
1894Amos Rusie†2.78New York GiantsJouett Meekin3.70[43]
1895Al Maul2.45Washington SenatorsPink Hawley3.18[44]
1896Billy Rhines2.45Cincinnati RedsKid Nichols†2.83[45]
1897Amos Rusie†2.54New York GiantsKid Nichols†2.64[46]
1898Clark Griffith†1.88Chicago OrphansAl Maul2.10[47]
1899Vic Willis†2.50Boston BeaneatersCy Young†2.58[48]
1900Rube Waddell†2.37Pittsburgh PiratesNed Garvin2.41[49]
1901Jesse Tannehill2.18Pittsburgh PiratesDeacon Phillippe2.22[50]
1902Jack Taylor1.33Chicago OrphansNoodles Hahn1.77[51]
1903Sam Leever2.06Pittsburgh PiratesChristy Mathewson†2.26[52]
1904Joe McGinnity†1.61New York GiantsNed Garvin1.68[53]
1905Christy Mathewson†1.28New York GiantsEd Reulbach1.42[54]
1906Mordecai Brown†1.04Chicago CubsJack Pfiester1.51[55]
1907Jack Pfiester1.15Chicago CubsCarl Lundgren1.17[56]
1908Christy Mathewson†1.43New York GiantsMordecai Brown†1.47[57]
1909Christy Mathewson†1.14New York GiantsMordecai Brown†1.31[58]
1910King Cole1.80Chicago CubsMordecai Brown†1.86[59]
1911Christy Mathewson†1.99New York GiantsLew Richie2.31[60]
1912Jeff Tesreau1.96New York GiantsChristy Mathewson†2.12[61]
1913Christy Mathewson†2.06New York GiantsBabe Adams2.15[62]
1914Bill Doak1.72St. Louis CardinalsBill James1.90[63]
1915Grover Cleveland Alexander†1.22Philadelphia PhilliesFred Toney1.58[64]
1916Grover Cleveland Alexander†1.55Philadelphia PhilliesRube Marquard†1.58[65]
1917Fred Anderson1.44New York GiantsGrover Cleveland Alexander†1.83[66]
1918Hippo Vaughn1.74Chicago CubsLefty Tyler2.00[67]
1919Grover Cleveland Alexander†1.72Chicago CubsHippo Vaughn1.79[68]
1920Grover Cleveland Alexander†1.91Chicago CubsBabe Adams2.16[69]
1921Bill Doak2.59St. Louis CardinalsBabe Adams2.64[70]
1922Phil Douglas2.63New York GiantsRosy Ryan3.01[71]
1923Dolf Luque1.93Cincinnati RedsEppa Rixey†2.80[72]
1924Dazzy Vance†2.16Brooklyn RobinsHugh McQuillan2.69[73]
1925Dolf Luque2.63Cincinnati RedsEppa Rixey†2.88[74]
1926Ray Kremer2.61Pittsburgh PiratesCharlie Root2.82[75]
1927Ray Kremer2.47Pittsburgh PiratesGrover Cleveland Alexander†2.52[76]
1928Dazzy Vance†2.09Brooklyn RobinsSheriff Blake2.47[77]
1929Bill Walker3.09New York GiantsBurleigh Grimes†3.13[78]
1930Dazzy Vance†2.61Brooklyn RobinsCarl Hubbell†3.87[79]
1931Bill Walker2.26New York GiantsCarl Hubbell†2.65[80]
1932Lon Warneke2.37Chicago CubsCarl Hubbell†2.50[81]
1933Carl Hubbell†1.66New York GiantsLon Warneke2.00[82]
1934Carl Hubbell†2.30New York GiantsDizzy Dean†2.66[83]
1935Cy Blanton2.58Pittsburgh PiratesBill Swift2.70[84]
1936Carl Hubbell†2.31New York GiantsDanny MacFayden2.87[85]
1937Jim Turner2.38Boston BeesCliff Melton2.61[86]
1938Bill Lee2.66Chicago CubsCharlie Root2.86[87]
1939Bucky Walters2.29Cincinnati RedsBob Bowman2.60[88]
1940Bucky Walters2.48Cincinnati RedsClaude Passeau2.50[89]
1941Elmer Riddle2.24Cincinnati RedsWhit Wyatt2.34[90]
1942Mort Cooper1.78St. Louis CardinalsJohnny Beazley2.13[91]
1943Max Lanier1.90St. Louis CardinalsMort Cooper2.30[92]
1944Ed Heusser2.38Cincinnati RedsBucky Walters2.40[93]
1945Ray Prim2.40Chicago CubsClaude Passeau2.46[94]
1946Howie Pollet2.10St. Louis CardinalsJohnny Sain2.21[95]
1947Warren Spahn†2.33Boston BravesEwell Blackwell2.47[96]
1948Harry Brecheen2.24St. Louis CardinalsDutch Leonard2.51[97]
1949Dave Koslo2.50New York GiantsJerry Staley2.73[98]
1950Sal Maglie2.71New York GiantsEwell Blackwell2.97[99]
1951Chet Nichols Jr.2.88Boston BravesSal Maglie2.93[100]
1952Hoyt Wilhelm†2.43New York GiantsWarren Hacker2.58[21]
1953Warren Spahn†2.10Milwaukee BravesRobin Roberts†2.75[101]
1954Johnny Antonelli2.30New York GiantsLew Burdette2.76[102]
1955Bob Friend2.83Pittsburgh PiratesDon Newcombe3.20[103]
1956Lew Burdette2.70Milwaukee BravesWarren Spahn†2.78[104]
1957Johnny Podres2.66Brooklyn DodgersDon Drysdale†2.69[105]
1958Stu Miller2.47San Francisco GiantsSam Jones2.88[106]
1959Sam Jones2.83San Francisco GiantsStu Miller2.84[107]
1960Mike McCormick2.70San Francisco GiantsErnie Broglio2.74[108]
1961Warren Spahn†3.02Milwaukee BravesJim O'Toole3.10[109]
1962Sandy Koufax†2.54Los Angeles DodgersBob Shaw2.80[110]
1963Sandy Koufax†1.88Los Angeles DodgersDick Ellsworth2.11[111]
1964Sandy Koufax†1.74Los Angeles DodgersDon Drysdale†2.18[112]
1965Sandy Koufax†2.04Los Angeles DodgersJuan Marichal†2.13[113]
1966Sandy Koufax†1.73Los Angeles DodgersMike Cuellar2.22[114]
1967Phil Niekro†1.87Atlanta BravesJim Bunning†2.29[115]
1968Bob Gibson†1.12St. Louis CardinalsBobby Bolin1.99[116]
1969Juan Marichal†2.10San Francisco GiantsSteve Carlton†2.17[117]
1970Tom Seaver†2.82New York MetsWayne Simpson3.02[118]
1971Tom Seaver†1.76New York MetsDave Roberts2.10[119]
1972Steve Carlton†1.97Philadelphia PhilliesGary Nolan1.99[120]
1973Tom Seaver†2.08New York MetsDon Sutton†2.42[121]
1974Buzz Capra2.28Atlanta BravesPhil Niekro†2.38[122]
1975Randy Jones2.24San Diego PadresAndy Messersmith2.29[123]
1976John Denny2.52St. Louis CardinalsDoug Rau2.57[124]
1977John Candelaria2.34Pittsburgh PiratesTom Seaver†2.58[125]
1978Craig Swan2.43New York MetsSteve Rogers2.47[126]
1979J. R. Richard2.71Houston AstrosTom Hume2.76[127]
1980Don Sutton†2.20Los Angeles DodgersSteve Carlton†2.34[128]
1981Nolan Ryan†1.69Houston AstrosBob Knepper2.18[129]
1982Steve Rogers2.40Montreal ExposJoe Niekro2.47[a][130]
1983Atlee Hammaker2.25San Francisco GiantsJohn Denny2.37[131]
1984Alejandro Peña2.48Los Angeles DodgersDwight Gooden2.60[132]
1985Dwight Gooden1.53New York MetsJohn Tudor1.93[133]
1986Mike Scott2.22Houston AstrosBob Ojeda2.57[134]
1987Nolan Ryan†2.76Houston AstrosMike Dunne3.03[135]
1988Joe Magrane2.18St. Louis CardinalsDavid Cone2.22[136]
1989Scott Garrelts2.28San Francisco GiantsOrel Hershiser2.31[137]
1990Danny Darwin2.21Houston AstrosZane Smith2.55[138]
1991Dennis Martínez2.39Montreal ExposJosé Rijo2.51[139]
1992Bill Swift2.08San Francisco GiantsBob Tewksbury2.16[140]
1993Greg Maddux†2.36Atlanta BravesJosé Rijo2.48[141]
1994Greg Maddux†1.56Atlanta BravesBret Saberhagen2.74[142]
1995Greg Maddux†1.63Atlanta BravesHideo Nomo2.54[143]
1996Kevin Brown1.89Florida MarlinsGreg Maddux†2.72[144]
1997Pedro Martínez†1.90Montreal ExposGreg Maddux†2.20[145]
1998Greg Maddux†2.22Atlanta BravesKevin Brown2.38[146]
1999Randy Johnson†2.48Arizona DiamondbacksKevin Millwood2.68[147]
2000Kevin Brown2.58Los Angeles DodgersRandy Johnson†2.64[148]
2001Randy Johnson†2.49Arizona DiamondbacksCurt Schilling2.98[149]
2002Randy Johnson†2.32Arizona DiamondbacksGreg Maddux†2.62[150]
2003Jason Schmidt2.34San Francisco GiantsKevin Brown2.39[151]
2004Jake Peavy2.27San Diego PadresRandy Johnson†2.60[152]
2005Roger Clemens1.87Houston AstrosAndy Pettitte2.39[153]
2006Roy Oswalt2.98Houston AstrosChris Carpenter3.09[154]
2007Jake Peavy2.54San Diego PadresBrandon Webb3.01[155]
2008Johan Santana2.53New York MetsTim Lincecum2.62[156]
2009Chris Carpenter2.24St. Louis CardinalsTim Lincecum2.48[157]
2010Josh Johnson2.30Florida MarlinsAdam Wainwright2.42[158]
2011Clayton Kershaw2.28Los Angeles DodgersRoy Halladay†2.35[159]
2012Clayton Kershaw2.53Los Angeles DodgersR. A. Dickey2.73[160]
2013Clayton Kershaw1.83Los Angeles DodgersJosé Fernández2.19[161]
2014Clayton Kershaw1.77Los Angeles DodgersJohnny Cueto2.25[162]
2015Zack Greinke1.66Los Angeles DodgersJake Arrieta1.77[163]
2016Kyle Hendricks2.13Chicago CubsJon Lester2.44[164]
2017Clayton Kershaw2.31Los Angeles DodgersMax Scherzer2.51[165]
2018Jacob deGrom1.70New York MetsAaron Nola2.37[166]
2019Hyun-jin Ryu2.32Los Angeles DodgersJacob deGrom2.43[167]
2020Trevor Bauer1.73Cincinnati RedsYu Darvish2.01[168]
2021Corbin Burnes2.43Milwaukee BrewersMax Scherzer2.46[169]
2022Julio Urías2.16Los Angeles DodgersSandy Alcántara2.28[170]
2023Blake Snell2.25San Diego PadresKodai Senga2.98[171]
2024Chris Sale2.38Atlanta BravesZack Wheeler2.57[172]
2025Paul Skenes1.97Pittsburgh PiratesYoshinobu Yamamoto2.49[173]
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Notes

American League

A man with a lazy right eye is shown from the shoulders up. He is wearing a dark baseball cap on his head with a "C" on the front. His mouth is slightly open, showing dirty teeth.
Addie Joss led the American League in ERA in 1904 and 1908.
A shoulders-up picture of a smiling man in a white baseball uniform. He is wearing a dark-colored baseball cap on his head with a white block "W" on the front.
In addition to leading the American League in ERA five times in his career and winning three triple crowns,[174] Walter Johnson was one of the five charter members of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
A man in a gray baseball uniform looks into the camera; he is wearing a gray baseball cap on his head, and his jersey reads "Red Sox" in block type across the chest.
"Smoky" Joe Wood won 15 games in 1915 when he won the ERA title; he is one of thirteen pitchers who have won 30 games in a single season since 1900.[175]
A man in a white baseball uniform and white baseball cap follows through after throwing a baseball on a grass field.
Babe Ruth led the league in ERA in 1916; he began his Major League Baseball career as a pitcher with the Boston Red Sox before converting to the outfield.[176]
A man in a gray baseball uniform and navy blue baseball cap catches a baseball with his bare right hand. His jersey reads "NEW YORK" across the chest in navy blue letters, while his cap sports a white interlocked "NY".His face is heavily stubbled, and he wears a blue baseball glove on his left hand.
Roger Clemens' seven ERA championships are the second-most by any player in Major League Baseball history, behind Lefty Grove's nine.
A man with dark curly hair stands on a grass field. He is wearing a white baseball jersey with "RED SOX" across the chest in red type.
Pedro Martínez won five ERA titles across both leagues; his 2000 margin of victory over Clemens for the ERA title is the largest in Major League Baseball history.
A man in a white baseball uniform with red trim throws a baseball from a dirt mound on a grass field. Under his jersey, he is wearing a long-sleeved red shirt with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. He wears a black baseball glove on his right hand and a red baseball cap on his head.
John Lackey's 3.01 ERA in 2007 led the American League.
A man in a gray baseball uniform and navy-blue cap follows through after throwing a baseball. He is standing with his right leg planted on a dirt mound within a grass field and his left leg raised in the air behind him.
Cliff Lee won the Cy Young Award in 2008[177] in addition to the ERA title.
A man in a gray baseball uniform and a blue baseball cap throws a baseball with his right hand. His jersey reads "Kansas City" across the chest in blue script, and "23" underneath in block print. He is wearing a black baseball glove on his left hand, and the blue sleeves of his long undershirt hang down over parts of his forearms.
Zack Greinke, pitching for the Kansas City Royals, became the second consecutive pitcher to win the Cy Young Award and lead the American League in ERA in the same season.[177]
At 39 years old in 2022, Justin Verlander pitched to a 1.75 ERA after missing the previous season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, leading to his third career Cy Young Award.
More information Year, Leader ...
Year Leader ERA Team Runner-up ERA Ref
1901Cy Young†1.62Boston AmericansNixey Callahan2.42[178]
1902Ed Siever1.91Detroit TigersRube Waddell†2.05[179]
1903Earl Moore1.74Cleveland NapsCy Young†2.08[180]
1904Addie Joss†1.59Cleveland NapsRube Waddell†1.62[181]
1905Rube Waddell†1.48Philadelphia AthleticsDoc White1.76[182]
1906Doc White1.52Chicago White SoxBarney Pelty1.59[183]
1907Ed Walsh†1.60Chicago White SoxEd Killian1.78[184]
1908Addie Joss†1.16Cleveland NapsCy Young†1.26[185]
1909Harry Krause1.39Philadelphia AthleticsEd Walsh†1.41[186]
1910Ed Walsh†1.27Chicago White SoxJack Coombs1.30[187]
1911Vean Gregg1.80Cleveland NapsWalter Johnson†1.90[188]
1912Walter Johnson†1.39Washington SenatorsJoe Wood1.91[189]
1913Walter Johnson†1.14Washington SenatorsEddie Cicotte1.58[190]
1914Dutch Leonard0.96Boston Red SoxRube Foster1.70[191]
1915Joe Wood1.49Boston Red SoxWalter Johnson†1.55[192]
1916Babe Ruth†1.75Boston Red SoxEddie Cicotte1.78[193]
1917Eddie Cicotte1.53Chicago White SoxCarl Mays1.74[194]
1918Walter Johnson†1.27Washington SenatorsStan Coveleski†1.82[195]
1919Walter Johnson†1.49Washington SenatorsEddie Cicotte1.82[196]
1920Bob Shawkey2.45New York YankeesStan Coveleski†2.49[197]
1921Red Faber†2.48Chicago White SoxGeorge Mogridge3.00[198]
1922Red Faber†2.81Chicago White SoxHerman Pillette2.85[199]
1923Stan Coveleski†2.76Washington SenatorsWaite Hoyt†3.02[200]
1924Walter Johnson†2.72Washington SenatorsTom Zachary2.75[201]
1925Stan Coveleski†2.84Washington SenatorsHerb Pennock†2.96[202]
1926Lefty Grove†2.51Philadelphia AthleticsGeorge Uhle2.83[203]
1927Wilcy Moore2.28New York YankeesWaite Hoyt†2.63[204]
1928Garland Braxton2.51Washington SenatorsHerb Pennock†2.56[205]
1929Lefty Grove†2.81Philadelphia AthleticsFirpo Marberry3.06[206]
1930Lefty Grove†2.54Philadelphia AthleticsWes Ferrell3.31[207]
1931Lefty Grove†2.06Philadelphia AthleticsLefty Gomez†2.67[208]
1932Lefty Grove†2.84Philadelphia AthleticsRed Ruffing†3.09[209]
1933Mel Harder2.95Cleveland IndiansTommy Bridges3.09[210]
1934Lefty Gomez†2.33New York YankeesMel Harder2.61[211]
1935Lefty Grove†2.70Boston Red SoxTed Lyons†3.02[212]
1936Lefty Grove†2.81Boston Red SoxJohnny Allen3.44[213]
1937Lefty Gomez†2.33New York YankeesMonty Stratton2.40[214]
1938Lefty Grove†3.08Boston Red SoxRed Ruffing†3.31[215]
1939Lefty Grove†2.54Boston Red SoxTed Lyons†2.76[216]
1940Bob Feller†2.61Cleveland IndiansBobo Newsom2.83[217]
1941Thornton Lee2.37Chicago White SoxAl Benton2.97[218]
1942Ted Lyons†2.10Chicago White SoxTiny Bonham2.27[219]
1943Spud Chandler1.64New York YankeesTiny Bonham2.27[220]
1944Dizzy Trout2.12Detroit TigersHal Newhouser†2.22[221]
1945Hal Newhouser†1.81Detroit TigersAl Benton2.02[222]
1946Hal Newhouser†1.94Detroit TigersSpud Chandler2.10[223]
1947Joe Haynes2.42Chicago White SoxBob Feller†2.68[224]
1948Gene Bearden2.43Cleveland IndiansRay Scarborough2.82[a][225]
1949Mike Garcia2.36Cleveland IndiansMel Parnell2.77[226]
1950Early Wynn†3.20Cleveland IndiansNed Garver3.39[227]
1951Saul Rogovin2.78Chicago White Sox
Detroit Tigers		Ed Lopat2.91[228]
1952Allie Reynolds2.06New York YankeesMike Garcia2.37[229]
1953Ed Lopat2.42New York YankeesBilly Pierce2.72[230]
1954Mike Garcia2.64Cleveland IndiansSandy Consuegra2.69[231]
1955Billy Pierce1.97Chicago White SoxWhitey Ford†2.63[232]
1956Whitey Ford†2.47New York YankeesHerb Score2.53[233]
1957Bobby Shantz2.45New York YankeesTom Sturdivant2.54[234]
1958Whitey Ford†2.01New York YankeesBilly Pierce2.68[235]
1959Hoyt Wilhelm†2.19Baltimore OriolesCamilo Pascual2.64[22]
1960Frank Baumann2.67Chicago White SoxJim Bunning†2.79[236]
1961Dick Donovan2.40Washington SenatorsBill Stafford2.68[237]
1962Hank Aguirre2.21Detroit TigersRobin Roberts†2.78[238]
1963Gary Peters2.33Chicago White SoxJuan Pizarro2.39[239]
1964Dean Chance1.65Los Angeles AngelsJoe Horlen1.88[240]
1965Sam McDowell2.18Cleveland IndiansEddie Fisher2.40[241]
1966Gary Peters1.98Chicago White SoxJoe Horlen2.43[242]
1967Joe Horlen2.06Chicago White SoxGary Peters2.28[243]
1968Luis Tiant1.60Cleveland IndiansSam McDowell1.81[244]
1969Dick Bosman2.19Washington SenatorsJim Palmer†2.34[245]
1970Diego Seguí2.56Oakland AthleticsJim Palmer†2.71[246]
1971Vida Blue1.82Oakland AthleticsWilbur Wood1.91[247]
1972Luis Tiant1.91Boston Red SoxGaylord Perry†1.92[248]
1973Jim Palmer†2.40Baltimore OriolesBert Blyleven†2.52[249]
1974Catfish Hunter†2.49Oakland AthleticsGaylord Perry†2.51[250]
1975Jim Palmer†2.09Baltimore OriolesCatfish Hunter†2.58[251]
1976Mark Fidrych2.34Detroit TigersVida Blue2.35[252]
1977Frank Tanana2.54California AngelsBert Blyleven†2.72[253]
1978Ron Guidry1.74New York YankeesJon Matlack2.27[254]
1979Ron Guidry2.78New York YankeesTommy John2.96[255]
1980Rudy May2.46New York YankeesMike Norris2.53[256]
1981Sammy Stewart2.32 [d]Baltimore OriolesSteve McCatty2.33[257]
1982Rick Sutcliffe2.96Cleveland IndiansBob Stanley3.10[258]
1983Rick Honeycutt2.42Texas RangersMike Boddicker2.77[259]
1984Mike Boddicker2.79Baltimore OriolesDave Stieb2.83[260]
1985Dave Stieb2.48Toronto Blue JaysCharlie Leibrandt2.69[261]
1986Roger Clemens2.48Boston Red SoxTeddy Higuera2.79[262]
1987Jimmy Key2.76Toronto Blue JaysFrank Viola2.90[263]
1988Allan Anderson2.45[b]Minnesota TwinsTeddy Higuera2.45[c][264]
1989Bret Saberhagen2.16Kansas City RoyalsChuck Finley2.57[265]
1990Roger Clemens1.93Boston Red SoxChuck Finley2.40[266]
1991Roger Clemens2.62Boston Red SoxTom Candiotti2.65[267]
1992Roger Clemens2.41Boston Red SoxKevin Appier2.46[268]
1993Kevin Appier2.56Kansas City RoyalsWilson Álvarez2.95[269]
1994Steve Ontiveros2.65Oakland AthleticsRoger Clemens2.85[270]
1995Randy Johnson†2.48Seattle MarinersTim Wakefield2.95[271]
1996Juan Guzmán2.93Toronto Blue JaysPat Hentgen3.22[272]
1997Roger Clemens2.05Toronto Blue JaysRandy Johnson†2.28[273]
1998Roger Clemens2.65Toronto Blue JaysPedro Martínez†2.89[274]
1999Pedro Martínez†2.07Boston Red SoxDavid Cone3.44[275]
2000Pedro Martínez†1.74Boston Red SoxRoger Clemens3.70[276]
2001Freddy García3.05Seattle MarinersMike Mussina†3.15[277]
2002Pedro Martínez†2.26Boston Red SoxDerek Lowe2.58[278]
2003Pedro Martínez†2.22Boston Red SoxTim Hudson2.70[279]
2004Johan Santana2.61Minnesota TwinsCurt Schilling3.26[280]
2005Kevin Millwood2.86Cleveland IndiansJohan Santana2.87[281]
2006Johan Santana2.77Minnesota TwinsRoy Halladay†3.19[282]
2007John Lackey3.01Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimFausto Carmona3.06[283]
2008Cliff Lee2.54Cleveland IndiansRoy Halladay†2.78[284]
2009Zack Greinke2.16Kansas City RoyalsFélix Hernández2.49[285]
2010Félix Hernández2.27Seattle MarinersClay Buchholz2.33[286]
2011Justin Verlander2.40Detroit TigersJered Weaver2.41[287]
2012David Price2.56Tampa Bay RaysJustin Verlander2.64[288]
2013Aníbal Sánchez2.57Detroit TigersBartolo Colón2.65[289]
2014Félix Hernández2.14Seattle MarinersChris Sale2.17[290]
2015David Price2.45Detroit Tigers
Toronto Blue Jays		Dallas Keuchel2.48[291]
2016Aaron Sanchez3.00Toronto Blue JaysJustin Verlander3.04[292]
2017Corey Kluber2.25Cleveland IndiansChris Sale2.90[293]
2018Blake Snell1.89Tampa Bay RaysTrevor Bauer2.21[294]
2019Gerrit Cole2.50Houston AstrosJustin Verlander2.58[295]
2020Shane Bieber1.63Cleveland IndiansDallas Keuchel1.99[296]
2021Robbie Ray2.84Toronto Blue JaysLance McCullers Jr.3.16[297]
2022Justin Verlander1.75Houston AstrosDylan Cease2.20[298]
2023Gerrit Cole2.63New York YankeesSonny Gray2.79[299]
2024Tarik Skubal2.39Detroit TigersRonel Blanco2.80[300]
2025Tarik Skubal2.21Detroit TigersHunter Brown2.43[301]
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Notes

  • a While Baseball-Reference.com lists both Scarborough and Hall of Famer Bob Lemon with an ERA of 2.82 in 1948, Scarborough's average is lower (2.817) than Lemon's (2.820) if extended to three decimal places.
  • b c While Baseball-Reference lists both Anderson and Higuera with an ERA of 2.45 in 1988, Anderson's average is lower (2.446) than Higuera's (2.455) if extended to three decimal places.
  • d Until 1981, the rules stated that the number of innings pitched should be rounded to the nearest whole inning. This explains why McCatty was, at the time, awarded the 1981 ERA title, although his ERA appears to be slightly higher than that of Stewart.[302]

Negro Major Leagues

Further information: Negro Major Leagues

Negro National League I

See also: Negro National League I
More information Year, Leader ...
Year Leader ERA Team Runner-up ERA Ref
1920Dave Brown1.82Chicago American GiantsTom Williams1.83[303]
1921Bullet Rogan†1.72Kansas City MonarchsDave Brown2.50[304]
1922Lucius Hampton2.49Indianapolis ABCsJuan Padrón2.74[305]
1923Ed Rile2.53Chicago American GiantsBullet Rogan†2.94[306]
1924Bill Foster†2.16Chicago American Giants / Memphis Red SoxJuan Padrón2.17[307]
1925Bill Foster†1.62Birmingham Black Barons / Chicago American GiantsBullet Rogan†1.74[308]
1926Bill Foster†1.80Chicago American GiantsChet Brewer2.37[309]
1927Bill Foster†2.03Chicago American GiantsWilliam Bell2.17[310]
1928Willie Powell2.00Chicago American GiantsTed Trent2.21[311]
1929Chet Brewer1.93Kansas City MonarchsYellowhorse Morris1.98[312]
1930Ted Radcliffe2.58St. Louis StarsSatchel Paige†2.87[313]
1931Logan Hensley1.63St. Louis StarsNelson Dean2.06[314]
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Eastern Colored League

See also: Eastern Colored League
More information Year, Leader ...
Year Leader ERA Team Runner-up ERA Ref
1923Nip Winters2.36Hilldale ClubRed Ryan2.48[315]
1924Dave Brown2.00New York Lincoln GiantsRats Henderson2.58[316]
1925George Britt3.01Baltimore Black SoxNip Winters3.02[317]
1926Willis Flournoy2.32Brooklyn Royal GiantsRats Henderson2.58[318]
1927Darltie Cooper2.51Harrisburg GiantsRats Henderson2.86[319]
1928Jimmy Shields1.51Baltimore Black SoxLaymon Yokely2.77[a][320]
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American Negro League

See also: American Negro League
More information Year, Leader ...
Year Leader ERA Team Runner-up ERA Ref
1929Joe Strong2.71Hilldale Club / Homestead GraysSmokey Joe Williams†3.26[321]
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East–West League

See also: East–West League
More information Year, Leader ...
Year Leader ERA Team Runner-up ERA Ref
1932Joe Strong2.07Homestead GraysWilliam Bell2.47[322]
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Negro Southern League

See also: Negro Southern League (1920–1936)
More information Year, Leader ...
Year Leader ERA Team Runner-up ERA Ref
1932Red Parnell0.83Monroe MonarchsEverett Nelson1.76[323]
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Negro National League II

Further information: Negro National League II
More information Year, Leader ...
Year Leader ERA Team Runner-up ERA Ref
1933Satchel Paige†1.94Pittsburgh CrawfordsPercy Bailey2.03[324]
1934Slim Jones1.29Philadelphia StarsSatchel Paige†1.54[325]
1935Leroy Matlock1.52Pittsburgh CrawfordsNeck Stanley2.47[326]
1936Jim Willis2.84Washington Elite GiantsBill Holland3.18[327]
1937Roy Welmaker2.31Homestead GraysTerris McDuffie2.96[328]
1938Ray Brown†1.88Homestead GraysBill Holland2.48[329]
1939Roy Partlow1.74Homestead GraysJames Brown1.89[330]
1940Ray Brown†2.07Homestead GraysEmery Adams3.17[331]
1941Bill Byrd2.23Baltimore Elite GiantsJohnny Wright2.36[332]
1942Roy Partlow1.69Homestead GraysLeon Day†1.73[333]
1943Johnny Wright2.54Homestead GraysDave Barnhill2.83[334]
1944Donald Troy1.63Baltimore Elite GiantsBarney Morris2.16[335]
1945Garnett Blair0.96Homestead GraysJohnny Wright1.38[336]
1946Rufus Lewis1.97Newark EaglesLeon Day†2.39[337]
1947Lino Donoso2.30New York CubansAmos Watson2.31[338]
1948Bill Ricks1.56Baltimore Elite GiantsMax Manning1.59[339]
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Negro American League

Further information: Negro American League
More information Year, Leader ...
Year Leader ERA Team Runner-up ERA Ref
1937Gene Bremer1.47Cincinnati TigersHilton Smith†1.66[340]
1938Hilton Smith†1.92Kansas City MonarchsTelosh Howard2.01[341]
1939Felix Evans1.86Indianapolis ABCs/Atlanta Black CrackersGeorge Walker1.99[342]
1940George Walker1.29Kansas City MonarchsJohnny Wright2.40[343]
1941Gready McKinnis1.04Birmingham Black BaronsFord Smith1.69[344]
1942Smoky Owens1.83Cincinnati-Cleveland BuckeyesJack Matchett1.92[345]
1943Theolic Smith2.22Cleveland BuckeyesRosey Davis2.35[346]
1944Robert Keyes0.64Memphis Red SoxSatchel Paige†1.10[347]
1945Rosey Davis1.65Cleveland Buckeyes / Cincinnati-Indianapolis ClownsGene Bremer2.25[348]
1946Satchel Paige†1.29Kansas City MonarchsAngel García1.36[349]
1947Gene Richardson1.33Kansas City MonarchsFord Smith2.00[350]
1948Ford Smith2.43Kansas City MonarchsJimmy Newberry2.62[351]
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Footnotes

Notes

  1. [a]
    Juanelo Mirabal also finished with a 2.77 ERA; however, when calculated to three decimal places, Yokely's ERA was 2.772 and Mirabal's was 2.773.

See also

References

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