No role in baseball has undergone more of a transformation than that of a relief pitcher. What once was something a hurler became because he wasn’t good enough to be a starter is now a vital role manned by a succession of the hardest throwers.
Anyone who doubts the importance of a quality bullpen hasn’t been paying attention to the Dodgers lately.
Over the weekend the Baseball Writers’ Assn. of America announced it has established a relief pitcher of the year award — one in each league — beginning in 2026. It will become the fifth honor doled out by the BBWAA each year, joining the most valuable player, Cy Young, rookie of the year and manager of the year awards.