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2014-01-29T20:31:36Z

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[[File:Ed Walsh portrait 1911.jpg|280px|thumb|right|[[Ed Walsh]]'s career [[earned run average]] (ERA) of 1.82 is the lowest in the history of [[Major League Baseball]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/earned_run_avg_career.shtml|title=Career Leaders & Records for Earned Run Average|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 22, 2010}}</ref>|alt=A man in a baseball jersey and a white sweater, which is worn over only his right sleeve. The man is also wearing a light-colored baseball cap with a "C" on the front. His face is freckled, and his eyes look directly into the camera.]]
In [[baseball]], [[earned run average]] (ERA) is a [[Baseball statistics|statistic]] used to evaluate [[pitcher]]s, calculated as the [[Arithmetic mean|mean]] of [[earned run]]s given up by a pitcher per nine [[innings pitched]].{{ref label|ERA|a|a}} A pitcher is assessed an earned run for each run scored by a [[Baserunning|baserunner]] who reached base while batting against that pitcher, whether by [[hit (baseball)|hit]], [[Base on balls|base on balls or "walk"]], or [[Hit by pitch|being hit by a pitched ball]];<ref name="ERA"/> an earned run can be charged after the pitcher is [[Relief pitcher|relieved]] if he allows the runner before leaving the game.<ref name="MLBrules">{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2008/official_rules/10_the_official_scorer.pdf|title=The Rules of Scoring: Earned Runs and Runs Allowed|publisher=Major League Baseball|pages=114–118|accessdate=February 17, 2010|format=PDF}}</ref> Runs scored by players who reach base on [[error (baseball)|errors]], [[passed ball]]s, or [[catcher interference]] under special circumstances are treated as [[unearned run]]s, and do not count towards the pitcher's ERA.<ref name="MLBrules"/>

[[Major League Baseball]] recognizes the player in each league{{ref label|League|b|b}} with the lowest earned run average each season.{{ref label|Qualify|c|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 Cardinals|St. Louis Brown Stockings]], allowing 78 earned runs in 573 innings pitched.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bradlge01.shtml|title=George Bradley Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref> The American League was established in 1901, and [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Hall of Fame]] pitcher [[Cy Young]] led that league with a 1.62 ERA for the [[Boston Red Sox|Boston Americans]] during the 1901 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/youngcy01.shtml|title=Cy Young Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref> 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 [[Oakland Athletics|Philadelphia Athletics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grovele01.shtml|title=Lefty Grove Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref> [[Roger Clemens]] has won the second-most ERA titles, capturing six in the American League and one in the National League.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/clemero02.shtml|title=Roger Clemens Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref> [[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 in by a player in the National League with [[Christy Mathewson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/koufasa01.shtml|title=Sandy Koufax Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mathech01.shtml|title=Christy Mathewson Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref> In the American League, [[Walter Johnson]] also won five ERA titles,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johnswa01.shtml|title=Walter Johnson Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref> and [[Pedro Martínez]] has won a total of five (four American League and one National League) with two different teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/martipe02.shtml|title=Pedro Martinez Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref> Three pitchers have led their leagues in ERA four times: [[Grover Cleveland Alexander]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/alexape01.shtml|title=Pete Alexander Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref> [[Randy Johnson]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johnsra05.shtml|title=Randy Johnson Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref> and [[Greg Maddux]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/maddugr01.shtml|title=Greg Maddux Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref> all but Johnson won each of his titles in the National League. The most recent ERA champions are [[Aníbal Sánchez]] in the American League and [[Clayton Kershaw]] 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 (MLB team)|Troy Trojans]] in 1880 led his closest competitor by .52 runs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/keefeti01.shtml|title=Tim Keefe Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref> In the American League, [[Dutch Leonard (left-handed pitcher)|Dutch Leonard]]'s 0.96 ERA is a single-season record.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/leonadu01.shtml|title=Dutch Leonard Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref> 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' 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 {{nowrap|sources,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/earned_run_avg_leagues.shtml|title=Yearly League Leaders & Records for Earned Run Average|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/M/X1L_ML.htm|title=Major League Single Season Leaders|publisher=Retrosheet, Inc|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/historical/leaders.jsp?c_id=mlb&baseballScope=mlb&statType=2&sortByStat=ERA&timeFrame=3&timeSubFrame2=4|title=Historical Leaders (ERA in a Single Season)|publisher=Major League Baseball|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref>}} 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 {{frac|202|1|3}} innings)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/anderal02.shtml|title=Allan Anderson Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref> bested [[Teddy Higuera]]'s 2.455 mark (62 earned runs in {{frac|227|1|3}} innings).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/higuete01.shtml|title=Teddy Higuera Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref> Other contests decided by one hundredth or less include [[Luis Tiant]]'s 1.91 ERA ahead of [[Gaylord Perry]]'s 1.92 in 1972<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tiantlu01.shtml|title=Luis Tiant Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/perryga01.shtml|title=Gaylord Perry Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref> and [[Mark Fidrych]] (2.34) over [[Vida Blue]] (2.35) in 1976.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fidryma01.shtml|title=Mark Fidrych Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bluevi01.shtml|title=Vida Blue Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 17, 2010}}</ref>

==Key==
{| class="wikitable"
| '''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]]
|}

==National League==
[[File:Tommy bond baseball.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Tommy Bond (baseball)|Tommy Bond]] won the [[Major League Baseball Triple Crown|triple crown]] in 1877, leading the [[National League]] in [[Win (baseball)|wins]], [[strikeout]]s, and ERA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bondto01.shtml|title=Tommy Bond Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 22, 2010}}</ref>|alt=A shoulders-up photograph of a dark-haired man with a thick mustache. He is wearing a dark suit with a dark-patterned tie.]]
[[File:Christy Mathewson2.jpg|thumb|upright|[[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.|alt=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.]]
[[File:GC Alexander retouched.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Grover Cleveland Alexander]] won the National League ERA title four times with two different teams (the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] and the [[Chicago Cubs]]).|alt=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.]]
[[File:Mordecai Brown 1909 and 1916.JPG|thumb|upright|[[Mordecai Brown|Mordecai "Three-Finger" Brown]] led the league in ERA in 1906 and finished second three times.|alt=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 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.]]
[[File:AmosRusiecrop.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Amos Rusie]] led the National League in ERA in 1894 and 1897, and finished second to [[Ted Breitenstein]] in 1893.|alt=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.]]
[[File:Sandy Koufax.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Sandy Koufax]]' five consecutive seasons leading the National League in ERA is a Major League Baseball record.|alt=A smiling man in a white baseball jersey and dark baseball cap with an interlocked white "LA" on the front.]]
[[File:Jake Peavy 03.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Jake Peavy]]'s 2007 ERA of 2.54 led all National League pitchers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peavyja01.shtml|title=Jake Peavy Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 22, 2010}}</ref>|alt=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.]]
[[File:Johan Santana Mets.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Johan Santana]] won the ERA title in his first National League season after eight years with the [[Minnesota Twins]].|alt=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.]]
[[File:Chris carpenter 10 1 2009 7803.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Chris Carpenter]] had the lowest ERA in the National League in 2009.|alt=A man in a gray baseball uniform with red trim and 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.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="74%"
!width=4%|Year
!width=17%|Leader
!width=5%|ERA
!width=20%|Team
!width=17%|Runner-up
!width=5%|ERA
!width=2% class="unsortable"|Ref
|-
| {{by|1876}} || {{sortname|George|Bradley}} || 1.23 || [[St. Louis Cardinals|St. Louis Brown Stockings]] || {{sortname|Jim|Devlin}} || 1.56 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1876-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1876 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1877}} || {{sortname|Tommy|Bond|Tommy Bond (baseball)}} || 2.11 || [[Atlanta Braves|Boston Red Caps]] || {{sortname|Terry|Larkin}} || 2.14 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1877-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1877 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1878}} || {{sortname|John Montgomery|Ward}}† || 1.51 || [[Providence Grays]] || {{sortname|Jim|McCormick|Jim McCormick (pitcher)}} || 1.69 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1878-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1878 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1879}} || {{sortname|Tommy|Bond|Tommy Bond (baseball)}} || 1.96 || [[Atlanta Braves|Boston Red Caps]] || {{sortname|Will|White}} || 1.99 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1879-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1879 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1880}} || {{sortname|Tim|Keefe|}}† || 0.86 || [[Troy Trojans (MLB team)|Troy Trojans]] || {{sortname|George|Bradley}} || 1.38 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1880-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1880 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1881}} || {{sortname|Stump|Wiedman}} || 1.80 || [[Detroit Wolverines]] || {{sortname|John Montgomery|Ward}}† || 2.13 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1881-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1881 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1882}} || {{sortname|Larry|Corcoran}} || 1.95 || [[Chicago Cubs|Chicago White Stockings]] || {{sortname|Charles|Radbourn}}† || 2.09 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1882-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1882 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1883}} || {{sortname|Jim|McCormick|Jim McCormick (pitcher)}} || 1.84 || [[Cleveland Blues (NL)|Cleveland Blues]] || {{sortname|Charles|Radbourn}}† || 2.05 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1883-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1883 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1884}} || {{sortname|Charles|Radbourn}}† || 1.38 || [[Providence Grays]] || {{sortname|Charlie|Sweeney}} || 1.55 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1884-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1884 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1885}} || {{sortname|Tim|Keefe}}† || 1.58 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Mickey|Welch}}† || 1.66 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1885-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1885 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1886}} || {{sortname|Henry|Boyle|Henry Boyle (baseball)}} || 1.76 || [[St. Louis Maroons]] || {{sortname|Charlie|Ferguson|Charlie Ferguson (1880s pitcher)}} || 1.96 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1886-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1886 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1887}} || {{sortname|Dan|Casey}} || 2.86 || [[Philadelphia Phillies]] || {{sortname|Pete|Conway}} || 2.90 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1887-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1887 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1888}} || {{sortname|Tim|Keefe}}† || 1.74 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Ben|Sanders}} || 1.90 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1888-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1888 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1889}} || {{sortname|John|Clarkson}}† || 2.73 || [[Atlanta Braves|Boston Beaneaters]] || {{sortname|Jersey|Bakley}} || 2.96 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1889-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1889 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1890}} || {{sortname|Billy|Rhines}} || 1.95 || [[Cincinnati Reds]] || {{sortname|Kid|Nichols}}† || 2.23 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1890-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1890 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1891}} || {{sortname|John|Ewing|John Ewing (baseball)}} || 2.27 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Kid|Nichols}}† || 2.39 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1891-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1891 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1892}} || {{sortname|Cy|Young}}† || 1.93 || [[Cleveland Spiders]] || {{sortname|Tim|Keefe}}† || 2.36 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1892-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1892 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1893}} || {{sortname|Ted|Breitenstein}} || 3.18 || [[St. Louis Cardinals|St. Louis Browns]] || {{sortname|Amos|Rusie}}† || 3.23 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1893-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1893 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1894}} || {{sortname|Amos|Rusie}}† || 2.78 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Jouett|Meekin}} || 3.70 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1894-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1894 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1895}} || {{sortname|Al|Maul}} || 2.45 || [[Washington Senators (1891-1899)|Washington Senators]] || {{sortname|Pink|Hawley}} || 3.18 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1895-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1895 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1896}} || {{sortname|Billy|Rhines}} || 2.45 || [[Cincinnati Reds]] || {{sortname|Kid|Nichols}}† || 2.83 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1896-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1896 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1897}} || {{sortname|Amos|Rusie}}† || 2.54 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Kid|Nichols}}† || 2.64 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1897-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1897 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1898}} || {{sortname|Clark|Griffith}}† || 1.88 || [[Chicago Cubs|Chicago Orphans]] || {{sortname|Al|Maul}} || 2.10 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1898-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1898 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1899}} || {{sortname|Vic|Willis}}† || 2.50 || [[Atlanta Braves|Boston Beaneaters]] || {{sortname|Cy|Young}}† || 2.58 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1899-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1899 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1900}} || {{sortname|Rube|Waddell}}† || 2.37 || [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] || {{sortname|Ned|Garvin}} || 2.41 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1900-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1900 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1901}} || {{sortname|Jesse|Tannehill}} || 2.18 || [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] || {{sortname|Deacon|Phillippe}} || 2.22 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1901-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1901 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1902}} || {{sortname|Jack|Taylor|Jack Taylor (20th century baseball player)}} || 1.33 || [[Chicago Cubs|Chicago Orphans]] || {{sortname|Noodles|Hahn}} || 1.77 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1902-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1902 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1903}} || {{sortname|Sam|Leever}} || 2.06 || [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] || {{sortname|Christy|Mathewson}}† || 2.26 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1903-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1903 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1904}} || {{sortname|Joe|McGinnity}}† || 1.61 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Ned|Garvin}} || 1.68 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1904-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1904 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1905}} || {{sortname|Christy|Mathewson}}† || 1.28 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Ed|Reulbach}} || 1.42 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1905-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1905 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1906}} || {{sortname|Mordecai|Brown}}† || 1.04 || [[Chicago Cubs]] || {{sortname|Jack|Pfiester}} || 1.51 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1906-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1906 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1907}} || {{sortname|Jack|Pfiester}} || 1.15 || [[Chicago Cubs]] || {{sortname|Carl|Lundgren}} || 1.17 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1907-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1907 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1908}} || {{sortname|Christy|Mathewson}}† || 1.43 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Mordecai|Brown}}† || 1.47 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1908-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1908 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1909}} || {{sortname|Christy|Mathewson}}† || 1.14 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Mordecai|Brown}}† || 1.31 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1909-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1909 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1910}} || {{sortname|King|Cole|King Cole (baseball player)}} || 1.80 || [[Chicago Cubs]] || {{sortname|Mordecai|Brown}}† || 1.86 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1910-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1910 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1911}} || {{sortname|Christy|Mathewson}}† || 1.99 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Lew|Richie}} || 2.31 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1911-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1911 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1912}} || {{sortname|Jeff|Tesreau}} || 1.96 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Christy|Mathewson}}† || 2.12 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1912-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1912 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1913}} || {{sortname|Christy|Mathewson}}† || 2.06 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Babe|Adams}} || 2.15 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1913-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1913 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1914}} || {{sortname|Bill|Doak}} || 1.72 || [[St. Louis Cardinals]] || {{sortname|Bill|James|Seattle Bill James}} || 1.90 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1914-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1914 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1915}} || {{sortname|Grover Cleveland|Alexander}}† || 1.22 || [[Philadelphia Phillies]] || {{sortname|Fred|Toney}} || 1.58 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1915-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1915 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1916}} || {{sortname|Grover Cleveland|Alexander}}† || 1.55 || [[Philadelphia Phillies]] || {{sortname|Rube|Marquard}}† || 1.58 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1916-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1916 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1917}} || {{sortname|Fred|Anderson|Fred Anderson (baseball)}} || 1.44 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Grover Cleveland|Alexander}}† || 1.83 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1917-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1917 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1918}} || {{sortname|Hippo|Vaughn}} || 1.74 || [[Chicago Cubs]] || {{sortname|Lefty|Tyler}} || 2.00 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1918-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1918 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1919}} || {{sortname|Grover Cleveland|Alexander}}† || 1.72 || [[Chicago Cubs]] || {{sortname|Hippo|Vaughn}} || 1.79 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1919-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1919 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1920}} || {{sortname|Grover Cleveland|Alexander}}† || 1.91 || [[Chicago Cubs]] || {{sortname|Babe|Adams}} || 2.16 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1920-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1920 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1921}} || {{sortname|Bill|Doak}} || 2.59 || [[St. Louis Cardinals]] || {{sortname|Babe|Adams}} || 2.64 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1921-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1921 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1922}} || {{sortname|Phil|Douglas}} || 2.63 || [[St. Louis Cardinals]] || {{sortname|Rosy|Ryan}} || 3.01 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1922-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1922 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1923}} || {{sortname|Dolf|Luque}} || 1.93 || [[Cincinnati Reds]] || {{sortname|Eppa|Rixey}}† || 2.80 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1923-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1923 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1924}} || {{sortname|Dazzy|Vance}}† || 2.16 || [[Los Angeles Dodgers|Brooklyn Robins]] || {{sortname|Hugh|McQuillan}} || 2.69 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1924-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1924 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1925}} || {{sortname|Dolf|Luque}} || 2.63 || [[Cincinnati Reds]] || {{sortname|Eppa|Rixey}}† || 2.88 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1925-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1925 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1926}} || {{sortname|Ray|Kremer}} || 2.61 || [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] || {{sortname|Charlie|Root}} || 2.82 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1926-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1926 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1927}} || {{sortname|Ray|Kremer}} || 2.47 || [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] || {{sortname|Grover Cleveland|Alexander}}† || 2.52 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1927-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1927 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1928}} || {{sortname|Dazzy|Vance}}† || 2.09 || [[Los Angeles Dodgers|Brooklyn Robins]] || {{sortname|Sheriff|Blake}} || 2.47 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1928-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1928 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1929}} || {{sortname|Bill|Walker|Bill Walker (baseball)}} || 3.09 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Burleigh|Grimes}}† || 3.13 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1929-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1929 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1930}} || {{sortname|Dazzy|Vance}}† || 2.61 || [[Los Angeles Dodgers|Brooklyn Robins]] || {{sortname|Carl|Hubbell}}† || 3.87 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1930-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1930 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1931}} || {{sortname|Bill|Walker|Bill Walker (baseball)}} || 2.26 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Carl|Hubbell}}† || 2.65 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1931-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1931 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1932}} || {{sortname|Lon|Warneke}} || 2.37 || [[Chicago Cubs]] || {{sortname|Carl|Hubbell}}† || 2.50 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1932-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1932 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1933}} || {{sortname|Carl|Hubbell}}† || 1.66 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Lon|Warneke}} || 2.00 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1933-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1933 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1934}} || {{sortname|Carl|Hubbell}}† || 2.30 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Dizzy|Dean}}† || 2.66 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1934-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1934 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1935}} || {{sortname|Cy|Blanton}} || 2.58 || [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] || {{sortname|Bill|Swift}} || 2.70 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1935-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1935 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1936}} || {{sortname|Carl|Hubbell}}† || 2.31 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Danny|MacFayden}} || 2.87 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1936-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1936 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1937}} || {{sortname|Jim|Turner|Jim Turner (baseball)}} || 2.38 || [[Atlanta Braves|Boston Bees]] || {{sortname|Cliff|Melton}} || 2.61 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1937-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1937 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1938}} || {{sortname|Bill|Lee|Bill Lee (right-handed pitcher)}} || 2.66 || [[Chicago Cubs]] || {{sortname|Charlie|Root}} || 2.86 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1938-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1938 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1939}} || {{sortname|Bucky|Walters}} || 2.29 || [[Cincinnati Reds]] || {{sortname|Bob|Bowman|Bob Bowman (pitcher)}} || 2.60 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1939-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1939 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1940}} || {{sortname|Bucky|Walters}} || 2.48 || [[Cincinnati Reds]] || {{sortname|Claude|Passeau}} || 2.50 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1940-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1940 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1941}} || {{sortname|Elmer|Riddle}} || 2.24 || [[Cincinnati Reds]] || {{sortname|Whit|Wyatt}} || 2.34 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1941-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1941 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1942}} || {{sortname|Mort|Cooper}} || 1.78 || [[St. Louis Cardinals]] || {{sortname|Johnny|Beazley}} || 2.13 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1942-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1942 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1943}} || {{sortname|Max|Lanier}} || 1.90 || [[St. Louis Cardinals]] || {{sortname|Mort|Cooper}} || 2.30 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1943-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1943 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1944}} || {{sortname|Ed|Heusser}} || 2.38 || [[Cincinnati Reds]] || {{sortname|Bucky|Walters}} || 2.40 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1944-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1944 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1945}} || {{sortname|Ray|Prim}} || 2.40 || [[Chicago Cubs]] || {{sortname|Claude|Passeau}} || 2.46 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1945-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1945 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1946}} || {{sortname|Howie|Pollet}} || 2.10 || [[St. Louis Cardinals]] || {{sortname|Johnny|Sain}} || 2.21 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1946-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1946 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1947}} || {{sortname|Warren|Spahn}}† || 2.33 || [[Atlanta Braves|Boston Braves]] || {{sortname|Ewell|Blackwell}} || 2.47 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1947-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1947 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1948}} || {{sortname|Harry|Brecheen}} || 2.24 || [[St. Louis Cardinals]] || {{sortname|Dutch|Leonard|Dutch Leonard (right-handed pitcher)}} || 2.51 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1948-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1948 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1949}} || {{sortname|Dave|Koslo}} || 2.50 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Jerry|Staley}} || 2.73 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1949-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1949 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1950}} || {{sortname|Sal|Maglie}} || 2.71 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Ewell|Blackwell}} || 2.97 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1950-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1950 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1951}} || {{sortname|Chet|Nichols, Jr.||Nichols, Chet}} || 2.88 || [[Atlanta Braves|Boston Braves]] || {{sortname|Sal|Maglie}} || 2.93 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1951-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1951 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1952}} || {{sortname|Hoyt|Wilhelm}}† || 2.43 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Warren|Hacker}} || 2.58 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1952-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1952 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1953}} || {{sortname|Warren|Spahn}}† || 2.10 || [[Atlanta Braves|Milwaukee Braves]] || {{sortname|Robin|Roberts|Robin Roberts (baseball)}}† || 2.75 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1953-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1953 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1954}} || {{sortname|Johnny|Antonelli}} || 2.30 || [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]] || {{sortname|Lew|Burdette}} || 2.76 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1954-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1954 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1955}} || {{sortname|Bob|Friend}} || 2.83 || [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] || {{sortname|Don|Newcombe}} || 3.20 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1955-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1955 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1956}} || {{sortname|Lew|Burdette}} || 2.70 || [[Atlanta Braves|Milwaukee Braves]] || {{sortname|Warren|Spahn}}† || 2.78 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1956-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1956 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1957}} || {{sortname|Johnny|Podres}} || 2.66 || [[Los Angeles Dodgers|Brooklyn Dodgers]] || {{sortname|Don|Drysdale}}† || 2.69 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1957-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1957 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1958}} || {{sortname|Stu|Miller}} || 2.47 || [[San Francisco Giants]] || {{sortname|Sam|Jones|Sam Jones (baseball)}} || 2.88 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1958-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1958 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1959}} || {{sortname|Sam|Jones|Sam Jones (baseball)}} || 2.83 || [[San Francisco Giants]] || {{sortname|Stu|Miller}} || 2.84 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1959-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1959 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1960}} || {{sortname|Mike|McCormick|Mike McCormick (pitcher)}} || 2.70 || [[San Francisco Giants]] || {{sortname|Ernie|Broglio}} || 2.74 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1960-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1960 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1961}} || {{sortname|Warren|Spahn}}† || 3.02 || [[Atlanta Braves|Milwaukee Braves]] || {{sortname|Jim|O'Toole}} || 3.10 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1961-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1961 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1962}} || {{sortname|Sandy|Koufax}}† || 2.54 || [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] || {{sortname|Bob|Shaw|Bob Shaw (baseball)}} || 2.80 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1962-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1962 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1963}} || {{sortname|Sandy|Koufax}}† || 1.88 || [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] || {{sortname|Dick|Ellsworth}} || 2.11 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1963-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1963 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1964}} || {{sortname|Sandy|Koufax}}† || 1.74 || [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] || {{sortname|Don|Drysdale}}† || 2.18 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1964-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1964 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1965}} || {{sortname|Sandy|Koufax}}† || 2.04 || [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] || {{sortname|Juan|Marichal}}† || 2.13 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1965-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1965 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1966}} || {{sortname|Sandy|Koufax}}† || 1.73 || [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] || {{sortname|Mike|Cuellar}} || 2.22 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1966-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1966 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1967}} || {{sortname|Phil|Niekro}}† || 1.87 || [[Atlanta Braves]] || {{sortname|Jim|Bunning}}† || 2.29 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1967-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1967 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1968}} || {{sortname|Bob|Gibson}}† || 1.12 || [[St. Louis Cardinals]] || {{sortname|Bobby|Bolin}} || 1.99 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1968-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1968 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1969}} || {{sortname|Juan|Marichal}}† || 2.10 || [[San Francisco Giants]] || {{sortname|Steve|Carlton}}† || 2.17 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1969-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1969 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1970}} || {{sortname|Tom|Seaver}}† || 2.82 || [[New York Mets]] || {{sortname|Wayne|Simpson}} || 3.02 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1970-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1970 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1971}} || {{sortname|Tom|Seaver}}† || 1.76 || [[New York Mets]] || {{sortname|Dave|Roberts|Dave Roberts (pitcher)}} || 2.10 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1971-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1971 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1972}} || {{sortname|Steve|Carlton}}† || 1.97 || [[Philadelphia Phillies]] || {{sortname|Gary|Nolan|Gary Nolan (baseball)}} || 1.99 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1972-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1972 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1973}} || {{sortname|Tom|Seaver}}† || 2.08 || [[New York Mets]] || {{sortname|Don|Sutton}}† || 2.42 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1973-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1973 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1974}} || {{sortname|Buzz|Capra}} || 2.28 || [[Atlanta Braves]] || {{sortname|Phil|Niekro}}† || 2.38 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1974-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1974 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1975}} || {{sortname|Randy|Jones|Randy Jones (baseball)}} || 2.24 || [[San Diego Padres]] || {{sortname|Andy|Messersmith}} || 2.29 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1975-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1975 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1976}} || {{sortname|John|Denny}} || 2.52 || [[St. Louis Cardinals]] || {{sortname|Doug|Rau}} || 2.57 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1976-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1976 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1977}} || {{sortname|John|Candelaria}} || 2.34 || [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] || {{sortname|Tom|Seaver}}† || 2.58 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1977-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1977 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1978}} || {{sortname|Craig|Swan}} || 2.43 || [[New York Mets]] || {{sortname|Steve|Rogers|Steve Rogers (baseball)}} || 2.47 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1978-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1978 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1979}} || {{sortname|J. R.|Richard}} || 2.71 || [[Houston Astros]] || {{sortname|Tom|Hume}} || 2.76 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1979-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1979 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1980}} || {{sortname|Don|Sutton}}† || 2.20 || [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] || {{sortname|Steve|Carlton}}† || 2.34 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1980-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1980 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1981}} || {{sortname|Nolan|Ryan}}† || 1.69 || [[Houston Astros]] || {{sortname|Bob|Knepper}} || 2.18 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1981-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1981 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1982}} || {{sortname|Steve|Rogers|Steve Rogers (baseball)}} || 2.40 || [[Washington Nationals|Montréal Expos]] || {{sortname|Joe|Niekro}} || 2.47{{ref label|Niekro82|a|a}} || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1982-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1982 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1983}} || {{sortname|Atlee|Hammaker}} || 2.25 || [[San Francisco Giants]] || {{sortname|John|Denny}} || 2.37 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1983-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1983 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1984}} || {{sortname|Alejandro|Peña||Pena, Alejandro}} || 2.48 || [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] || {{sortname|Dwight|Gooden}} || 2.60 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1984-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1984 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1985}} || {{sortname|Dwight|Gooden}} || 1.53 || [[New York Mets]] || {{sortname|John|Tudor|John Tudor (baseball)}} || 1.93 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1985-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1985 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1986}} || {{sortname|Mike|Scott|Mike Scott (baseball)}} || 2.22 || [[Houston Astros]] || {{sortname|Bob|Ojeda}} || 2.57 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1986-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1986 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1987}} || {{sortname|Nolan|Ryan}}† || 2.76 || [[Houston Astros]] || {{sortname|Mike|Dunne|Mike Dunne (baseball)}} || 3.03 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1987-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1987 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1988}} || {{sortname|Joe|Magrane}} || 2.18 || [[St. Louis Cardinals]] || {{sortname|David|Cone}} || 2.22 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1988-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1988 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1989}} || {{sortname|Scott|Garrelts}} || 2.28 || [[San Francisco Giants]] || {{sortname|Orel|Hershiser}} || 2.31 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1989-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1989 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1990}} || {{sortname|Danny|Darwin}} || 2.21 || [[Houston Astros]] || {{sortname|Zane|Smith}} || 2.55 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1990-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1990 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1991}} || {{sortname|Dennis|Martínez||Martinez, Dennis}} || 2.39 || [[Washington Nationals|Montréal Expos]] || {{sortname|José|Rijo||Rijo, Jose}} || 2.51 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1991-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1991 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1992}} || {{sortname|Bill|Swift}} || 2.08 || [[San Francisco Giants]] || {{sortname|Bob|Tewksbury}} || 2.16 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1992-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1992 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1993}} || {{sortname|Greg|Maddux}}† || 2.36 || [[Atlanta Braves]] || {{sortname|José|Rijo||Rijo, Jose}} || 2.48 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1993-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1993 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1994}} || {{sortname|Greg|Maddux}}† || 1.56 || [[Atlanta Braves]] || {{sortname|Bret|Saberhagen}} || 2.74 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1994-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1994 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1995}} || {{sortname|Greg|Maddux}}† || 1.63 || [[Atlanta Braves]] || {{sortname|Hideo|Nomo}} || 2.54 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1995-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1995 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1996}} || {{sortname|Kevin|Brown|Kevin Brown (right-handed pitcher)}} || 1.89 || [[Florida Marlins]] || {{sortname|Greg|Maddux}}† || 2.72 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1996-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1996 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1997}} || {{sortname|Pedro|Martínez||Martinez, Pedro}} || 1.90 || [[Washington Nationals|Montréal Expos]] || {{sortname|Greg|Maddux}}† || 2.20 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1997-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1997 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1998}} || {{sortname|Greg|Maddux}}† || 2.22 || [[Atlanta Braves]] || {{sortname|Kevin|Brown|Kevin Brown (right-handed pitcher)}} || 2.38 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1998-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1998 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1999}} || {{sortname|Randy|Johnson}} || 2.48 || [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] || {{sortname|Kevin|Millwood}} || 2.68 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1999-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1999 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2000}} || {{sortname|Kevin|Brown|Kevin Brown (right-handed pitcher)}} || 2.58 || [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] || {{sortname|Randy|Johnson}} || 2.64 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2000-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2000 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2001}} || {{sortname|Randy|Johnson}} || 2.49 || [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] || {{sortname|Curt|Schilling}} || 2.98 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2001-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2001 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2002}} || {{sortname|Randy|Johnson}} || 2.32 || [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] || {{sortname|Greg|Maddux}}† || 2.62 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2002-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2002 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2003}} || {{sortname|Jason|Schmidt}} || 2.34 || [[San Francisco Giants]] || {{sortname|Kevin|Brown|Kevin Brown (right-handed pitcher)}} || 2.39 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2003-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2003 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2004}} || {{sortname|Jake|Peavy}} || 2.27 || [[San Diego Padres]] || {{sortname|Randy|Johnson}} || 2.60 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2004-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2004 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2005}} || {{sortname|Roger|Clemens}} || 1.87 || [[Houston Astros]] || {{sortname|Andy|Pettitte}} || 2.39 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2005-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2005 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2006}} || {{sortname|Roy|Oswalt}} || 2.98 || [[Houston Astros]] || {{sortname|Chris|Carpenter}} || 3.09 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2006-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2006 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2007}} || {{sortname|Jake|Peavy}} || 2.54 || [[San Diego Padres]] || {{sortname|Brandon|Webb}} || 3.01 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2007-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2007 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2008}} || {{sortname|Johan|Santana}} || 2.53 || [[New York Mets]] || {{sortname|Tim|Lincecum}} || 2.62 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2008-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2008 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2009}} || {{sortname|Chris|Carpenter}} || 2.24 || [[St. Louis Cardinals]] || {{sortname|Tim|Lincecum}} || 2.48 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2009-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2009 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2010}} || {{sortname|Josh|Johnson|Josh Johnson (baseball)}} || 2.30 || [[Florida Marlins]] || {{sortname|Adam|Wainwright}} || 2.42 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2010-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2010 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=October 7, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2011}} || {{sortname|Clayton|Kershaw}} || 2.28 || [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] || {{sortname|Roy|Halladay}} || 2.35 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2011-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2011 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=September 29, 2011}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2012}} || {{sortname|Clayton|Kershaw}} || 2.53 || [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] || {{sortname|R.A.|Dickey}} || 2.73 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2012-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2012 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=October 4, 2012}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2013}} || {{sortname|Clayton|Kershaw}} || 1.83 || [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] || {{sortname|José|Fernández|José Fernández}} || 2.19 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2013-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2013 National League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=September 30, 2013}}</ref>
|}

===Notes===
*{{note label|Niekro82|a|a}} While [[Baseball-Reference]] lists both Niekro and [[Joaquín Andújar]] with an ERA of 2.47 in 1982, Niekro's average is lower (2.467) than Andújar's (2.473) if extended to three decimal places.

==American League==
[[File:Addie Joss 1910.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Addie Joss]] led the [[American League]] in ERA in 1904 and 1908.|alt=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.]]
[[File:Walter Johnson 1924.jpg|thumb|right|upright|In addition to leading the American League in ERA five times in his career and winning three [[Major League Baseball Triple Crown|triple crowns]],<ref>{{cite journal|date=July 1998|title=The Fans Speak Out|journal=Baseball Digest|publisher=Lakeside|volume=57|issue=7|pages=8|issn=0005-609X|url=http://books.google.com/?id=ui0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA8&dq=walter+johnson+triple+crown+hall+of+fame&cd=1#v=onepage&q=walter%20johnson%20triple%20crown%20hall%20of%20fame&f=false}}</ref> [[Walter Johnson]] was one of the five charter [[members of the Baseball Hall of Fame]].|alt=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.]]
[[File:Joe Wood 1915.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Smoky Joe Wood|"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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/W_season.shtml|title=Single-Season Leaders & Records for Wins|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 22, 2010}}</ref>|alt=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.]]
[[File:Babe Ruth pitching.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ruthba01.shtml#standard_fielding|title=Babe Ruth Statistics and History|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 22, 2010}}</ref>|alt=A man in a white baseball uniform and white baseball cap follows through after throwing a baseball on a grass field.]]
[[File:062707 267 Roger Clemens.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Roger Clemens]]' seven ERA championships are the second-most by any player in Major League Baseball history, behind [[Lefty Grove]]'s nine.|alt=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.]]
[[File:Pedro's return.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[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.|alt=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.]]
[[File:John Lackey 2006.jpg|thumb|upright|[[John Lackey]]'s 3.01 ERA in 2007 led the American League.|alt=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.]]
[[File:Cliff Lee Follows Through.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Cliff Lee]] won the [[Cy Young Award]] in 2008<ref name="cya">{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/mvp_cya.shtml|title=Most Valuable Player MVP Awards & Cy Young Awards Winners|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 22, 2010}}</ref> in addition to the ERA title.|alt=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.]]
[[File:Zack Greinke on July 29, 2009.jpg|thumb|upright|[[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.<ref name="cya"/>|alt=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.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="74%"
!width=4%|Year
!width=17%|Leader
!width=5%|ERA
!width=20%|Team
!width=17%|Runner-up
!width=5%|ERA
!width=2% class="unsortable"|Ref
|-
| {{mlby|1901}} || {{sortname|Cy|Young}}† || 1.62 || [[Boston Red Sox|Boston Americans]] || {{sortname|Nixey|Callahan}} || 2.42 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1901-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1901 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1902}} || {{sortname|Ed|Siever}} || 1.91 || [[Detroit Tigers]] || {{sortname|Rube|Waddell}}† || 2.05 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1902-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1902 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1903}} || {{sortname|Earl|Moore}} || 1.74 || [[Cleveland Indians|Cleveland Naps]] || {{sortname|Cy|Young}}† || 2.08 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1903-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1903 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1904}} || {{sortname|Addie|Joss}}† || 1.59 || [[Cleveland Indians|Cleveland Naps]] || {{sortname|Rube|Waddell}}† || 1.62 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1904-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1904 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1905}} || {{sortname|Rube|Waddell}}† || 1.48 || [[Oakland Athletics|Philadelphia Athletics]] || {{sortname|Doc|White}} || 1.76 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1905-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1905 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1906}} || {{sortname|Doc|White}} || 1.52 || [[Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Barney|Pelty}} || 1.59 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1906-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1906 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1907}} || {{sortname|Ed|Walsh}}† || 1.60 || [[Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Ed|Killian}} || 1.78 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1907-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1907 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1908}} || {{sortname|Addie|Joss}}† || 1.16 || [[Cleveland Indians|Cleveland Naps]] || {{sortname|Cy|Young}}† || 1.26 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1908-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1908 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1909}} || {{sortname|Harry|Krause}} || 1.39 || [[Oakland Athletics|Philadelphia Athletics]] || {{sortname|Ed|Walsh}}† || 1.41 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1909-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1909 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1910}} || {{sortname|Ed|Walsh}}† || 1.27 || [[Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Jack|Coombs}} || 1.30 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1910-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1910 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1911}} || {{sortname|Vean|Gregg}} || 1.80 || [[Cleveland Indians|Cleveland Naps]] || {{sortname|Walter|Johnson}}† || 1.90 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1911-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1911 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1912}} || {{sortname|Walter|Johnson}}† || 1.39 || [[Minnesota Twins|Washington Senators]] || {{sortname|Joe|Wood|Smoky Joe Wood}} || 1.91 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1912-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1912 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1913}} || {{sortname|Walter|Johnson}}† || 1.14 || [[Minnesota Twins|Washington Senators]] || {{sortname|Eddie|Cicotte}} || 1.58 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1913-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1913 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1914}} || {{sortname|Dutch|Leonard|Dutch Leonard (left-handed pitcher)|Dutch Leonard}} || 0.96 || [[Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Rube|Foster}} || 1.70 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1914-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1914 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1915}} || {{sortname|Joe|Wood|Smoky Joe Wood}} || 1.49 || [[Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Walter|Johnson}}† || 1.55 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1915-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1915 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1916}} || {{sortname|Babe|Ruth}}† || 1.75 || [[Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Eddie|Cicotte}} || 1.78 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1916-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1916 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1917}} || {{sortname|Eddie|Cicotte}} || 1.53 || [[Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Carl|Mays}} || 1.74 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1917-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1917 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1918}} || {{sortname|Walter|Johnson}}† || 1.27 || [[Minnesota Twins|Washington Senators]] || {{sortname|Stan|Coveleski}}† || 1.82 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1918-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1918 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1919}} || {{sortname|Walter|Johnson}}† || 1.49 || [[Minnesota Twins|Washington Senators]] || {{sortname|Eddie|Cicotte}} || 1.82 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1919-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1919 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1920}} || {{sortname|Bob|Shawkey}} || 2.45 || [[New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Stan|Coveleski}}† || 2.49 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1920-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1920 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1921}} || {{sortname|Red|Faber}}† || 2.48 || [[Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|George|Mogridge}} || 3.00 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1921-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1921 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1922}} || {{sortname|Red|Faber}}† || 2.81 || [[Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Herman|Pillette}} || 2.85 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1922-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1922 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1923}} || {{sortname|Stan|Coveleski}}† || 2.76 || [[Minnesota Twins|Washington Senators]] || {{sortname|Waite|Hoyt}}† || 3.02 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1923-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1923 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1924}} || {{sortname|Walter|Johnson}}† || 2.72 || [[Minnesota Twins|Washington Senators]] || {{sortname|Tom|Zachary}} || 2.75 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1924-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1924 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1925}} || {{sortname|Stan|Coveleski}}† || 2.84 || [[Minnesota Twins|Washington Senators]] || {{sortname|Herb|Pennock}}† || 2.96 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1925-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1925 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1926}} || {{sortname|Lefty|Grove}}† || 2.51 || [[Oakland Athletics|Philadelphia Athletics]] || {{sortname|George|Uhle}} || 2.83 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1926-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1926 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1927}} || {{sortname|Wilcy|Moore}} || 2.28 || [[New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Waite|Hoyt}}† || 2.63 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1927-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1927 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1928}} || {{sortname|Garland|Braxton}} || 2.51 || [[Minnesota Twins|Washington Senators]] || {{sortname|Herb|Pennock}}† || 2.56 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1928-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1928 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1929}} || {{sortname|Lefty|Grove}}† || 2.81 || [[Oakland Athletics|Philadelphia Athletics]] || {{sortname|Firpo|Marberry}} || 3.06 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1929-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1929 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1930}} || {{sortname|Lefty|Grove}}† || 2.54 || [[Oakland Athletics|Philadelphia Athletics]] || {{sortname|Wes|Ferrell}} || 3.31 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1930-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1930 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1931}} || {{sortname|Lefty|Grove}}† || 2.06 || [[Oakland Athletics|Philadelphia Athletics]] || {{sortname|Lefty|Gomez}}† || 2.67 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1931-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1931 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1932}} || {{sortname|Lefty|Grove}}† || 2.84 || [[Oakland Athletics|Philadelphia Athletics]] || {{sortname|Red|Ruffing}}† || 3.09 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1932-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1932 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1933}} || {{sortname|Mel|Harder}} || 2.95 || [[Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Tommy|Bridges}} || 3.09 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1933-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1933 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1934}} || {{sortname|Lefty|Gomez}}† || 2.33 || [[New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Mel|Harder}} || 2.61 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1934-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1934 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1935}} || {{sortname|Lefty|Grove}}† || 2.70 || [[Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Ted|Lyons}}† || 3.02 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1935-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1935 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1936}} || {{sortname|Lefty|Grove}}† || 2.81 || [[Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Johnny|Allen|Johnny Allen (baseball)}} || 3.44 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1936-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1936 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1937}} || {{sortname|Lefty|Gomez}}† || 2.33 || [[New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Monty|Stratton}} || 2.40 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1937-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1937 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1938}} || {{sortname|Lefty|Grove}}† || 3.08 || [[Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Red|Ruffing}}† || 3.31 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1938-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1938 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1939}} || {{sortname|Lefty|Grove}}† || 2.54 || [[Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Ted|Lyons}}† || 2.76 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1939-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1939 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1940}} || {{sortname|Bob|Feller}}† || 2.61 || [[Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Bobo|Newsom}} || 2.83 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1940-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1940 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1941}} || {{sortname|Thornton|Lee}} || 2.37 || [[Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Al|Benton}} || 2.97 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1941-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1941 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1942}} || {{sortname|Ted|Lyons}}† || 2.10 || [[Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Tiny|Bonham}} || 2.27 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1942-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1942 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1943}} || {{sortname|Spud|Chandler}} || 1.64 || [[New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Tiny|Bonham}} || 2.27 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1943-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1943 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1944}} || {{sortname|Dizzy|Trout}} || 2.12 || [[Detroit Tigers]] || {{sortname|Hal|Newhouser}}† || 2.22 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1944-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1944 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1945}} || {{sortname|Hal|Newhouser}}† || 1.81 || [[Detroit Tigers]] || {{sortname|Al|Benton}} || 2.02 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1945-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1945 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1946}} || {{sortname|Hal|Newhouser}}† || 1.94 || [[Detroit Tigers]] || {{sortname|Spud|Chandler}} || 2.10 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1946-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1946 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1947}} || {{sortname|Joe|Haynes|Joe Haynes (baseball)}} || 2.42 || [[Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Bob|Feller}}† || 2.68 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1947-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1947 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1948}} || {{sortname|Gene|Bearden}} || 2.43 || [[Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Ray|Scarborough}} || 2.82{{ref label|Scarborough48|a|a}} || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1948-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1948 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1949}} || {{sortname|Mike|Garcia|Mike Garcia (AL pitcher)}} || 2.36 || [[Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Mel|Parnell}} || 2.77 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1949-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1949 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1950}} || {{sortname|Early|Wynn}}† || 3.20 || [[Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Ned|Garver}} || 3.39 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1950-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1950 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1951}} || {{sortname|Saul|Rogovin}} || 2.78 || [[Chicago White Sox]] [[Detroit Tigers]] || {{sortname|Ed|Lopat}} || 2.91 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1951-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1951 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1952}} || {{sortname|Allie|Reynolds}} || 2.06 || [[New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Mike|Garcia|Mike Garcia (AL pitcher)}} || 2.37 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1952-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1952 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1953}} || {{sortname|Ed|Lopat}} || 2.42 || [[New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Billy|Pierce}} || 2.72 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1953-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1953 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1954}} || {{sortname|Mike|Garcia|Mike Garcia (AL pitcher)}} || 2.64 || [[Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Sandy|Consuegra}} || 2.69 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1954-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1954 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1955}} || {{sortname|Billy|Pierce}} || 1.97 || [[Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Whitey|Ford}}† || 2.63 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1955-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1955 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1956}} || {{sortname|Whitey|Ford}}† || 2.47 || [[New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Herb|Score}} || 2.53 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1956-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1956 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1957}} || {{sortname|Bobby|Shantz}} || 2.45 || [[New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Tom|Sturdivant}} || 2.54 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1957-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1957 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1958}} || {{sortname|Whitey|Ford}}† || 2.01 || [[New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Billy|Pierce}} || 2.68 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1958-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1958 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1959}} || {{sortname|Hoyt|Wilhelm}}† || 2.19 || [[Baltimore Orioles]] || {{sortname|Camilo|Pascual}} || 2.64 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1959-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1959 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1960}} || {{sortname|Frank|Baumann|Frank Baumann (baseball)}} || 2.67 || [[Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Jim|Bunning}}† || 2.79 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1960-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1960 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1961}} || {{sortname|Dick|Donovan}} || 2.40 || [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Washington Senators]] || {{sortname|Bill|Stafford}} || 2.68 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1961-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1961 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1962}} || {{sortname|Hank|Aguirre}} || 2.21 || [[Detroit Tigers]] || {{sortname|Robin|Roberts|Robin Roberts (baseball)}}† || 2.78 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1962-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1962 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1963}} || {{sortname|Gary|Peters|Gary Peters (baseball)}} || 2.33 || [[Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Juan|Pizarro}} || 2.39 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1963-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1963 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1964}} || {{sortname|Dean|Chance}} || 1.65 || [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim|Los Angeles Angels]] || {{sortname|Joe|Horlen}} || 1.88 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1964-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1964 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1965}} || {{sortname|Sam|McDowell}} || 2.18 || [[Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Eddie|Fisher|Eddie Fisher (baseball)}} || 2.40 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1965-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1965 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1966}} || {{sortname|Gary|Peters|Gary Peters (baseball)}} || 1.98 || [[Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Joe|Horlen}} || 2.43 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1966-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1966 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1967}} || {{sortname|Joe|Horlen}} || 2.06 || [[Chicago White Sox]] || {{sortname|Gary|Peters|Gary Peters (baseball)}} || 2.28 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1967-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1967 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1968}} || {{sortname|Luis|Tiant}} || 1.60 || [[Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Sam|McDowell}} || 1.81 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1968-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1968 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1969}} || {{sortname|Dick|Bosman}} || 2.19 || [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Washington Senators]] || {{sortname|Jim|Palmer}}† || 2.34 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1969-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1969 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1970}} || {{sortname|Diego|Seguí||Segui, Diego}} || 2.56 || [[Oakland Athletics]] || {{sortname|Jim|Palmer}}† || 2.71 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1970-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1970 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1971}} || {{sortname|Vida|Blue}} || 1.82 || [[Oakland Athletics]] || {{sortname|Wilbur|Wood}} || 1.91 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1971-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1971 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1972}} || {{sortname|Luis|Tiant}} || 1.91 || [[Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Gaylord|Perry}}† || 1.92 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1972-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1972 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1973}} || {{sortname|Jim|Palmer}}† || 2.40 || [[Baltimore Orioles]] || {{sortname|Bert|Blyleven}}† || 2.52 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1973-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1973 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1974}} || {{sortname|Catfish|Hunter}}† || 2.49 || [[Oakland Athletics]] || {{sortname|Gaylord|Perry}}† || 2.51 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1974-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1974 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1975}} || {{sortname|Jim|Palmer}}† || 2.09 || [[Baltimore Orioles]] || {{sortname|Catfish|Hunter}}† || 2.58 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1975-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1975 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1976}} || {{sortname|Mark|Fidrych}} || 2.34 || [[Detroit Tigers]] || {{sortname|Vida|Blue}} || 2.35 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1976-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1976 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1977}} || {{sortname|Frank|Tanana}} || 2.54 || [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim|California Angels]] || {{sortname|Bert|Blyleven}}† || 2.72 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1977-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1977 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1978}} || {{sortname|Ron|Guidry}} || 1.74 || [[New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Jon|Matlack}} || 2.27 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1978-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1978 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1979}} || {{sortname|Ron|Guidry}} || 2.78 || [[New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Tommy|John}} || 2.96 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1979-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1979 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1980}} || {{sortname|Rudy|May}} || 2.46 || [[New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Mike|Norris|Mike Norris (baseball)}} || 2.53 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1980-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1980 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1981}} || {{sortname|Dave|Righetti}} || 2.05 || [[New York Yankees]] || {{sortname|Sammy|Stewart}} || 2.32 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1981-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1981 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1982}} || {{sortname|Rick|Sutcliffe}} || 2.96 || [[Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Bob|Stanley}} || 3.10 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1982-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1982 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1983}} || {{sortname|Rick|Honeycutt}} || 2.42 || [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] || {{sortname|Mike|Boddicker}} || 2.77 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1983-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1983 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1984}} || {{sortname|Mike|Boddicker}} || 2.79 || [[Baltimore Orioles]] || {{sortname|Dave|Stieb}} || 2.83 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1984-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1984 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1985}} || {{sortname|Dave|Stieb}} || 2.48 || [[Toronto Blue Jays]] || {{sortname|Charlie|Leibrandt}} || 2.69 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1985-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1985 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1986}} || {{sortname|Roger|Clemens}} || 2.48 || [[Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Teddy|Higuera}} || 2.79 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1986-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1986 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1987}} || {{sortname|Jimmy|Key}} || 2.76 || [[Toronto Blue Jays]] || {{sortname|Frank|Viola}} || 2.90 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1987-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1987 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1988}} || {{sortname|Allan|Anderson}} || 2.45{{ref label|Anderson88|b|b}} || [[Minnesota Twins]] || {{sortname|Teddy|Higuera}} || 2.45{{ref label|Higuera88|c|c}} || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1988-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1988 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1989}} || {{sortname|Bret|Saberhagen}} || 2.16 || [[Kansas City Royals]] || {{sortname|Chuck|Finley}} || 2.57 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1989-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1989 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1990}} || {{sortname|Roger|Clemens}} || 1.93 || [[Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Chuck|Finley}} || 2.40 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1990-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1990 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1991}} || {{sortname|Roger|Clemens}} || 2.62 || [[Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Tom|Candiotti}} || 2.65 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1991-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1991 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1992}} || {{sortname|Roger|Clemens}} || 2.41 || [[Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Kevin|Appier}} || 2.46 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1992-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1992 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1993}} || {{sortname|Kevin|Appier}} || 2.56 || [[Kansas City Royals]] || {{sortname|Wilson|Alvarez}} || 2.95 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1993-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1993 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1994}} || {{sortname|Steve|Ontiveros|Steve Ontiveros (pitcher)}} || 2.65 || [[Oakland Athletics]] || {{sortname|Roger|Clemens}} || 2.85 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1994-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1994 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1995}} || {{sortname|Randy|Johnson}} || 2.48 || [[Seattle Mariners]] || {{sortname|Tim|Wakefield}} || 2.95 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1995-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1995 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1996}} || {{sortname|Juan|Guzmán|Juan Guzmán (baseball)|Guzman, Juan}} || 2.93 || [[Toronto Blue Jays]] || {{sortname|Pat|Hentgen}} || 3.22 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1996-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1996 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1997}} || {{sortname|Roger|Clemens}} || 2.05 || [[Toronto Blue Jays]] || {{sortname|Randy|Johnson}} || 2.28 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1997-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1997 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1998}} || {{sortname|Roger|Clemens}} || 2.65 || [[Toronto Blue Jays]] || {{sortname|Pedro|Martínez||Martinez, Pedro}} || 2.89 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1998-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1998 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|1999}} || {{sortname|Pedro|Martínez||Martinez, Pedro}} || 2.07 || [[Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|David|Cone}} || 3.44 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1999-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1999 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2000}} || {{sortname|Pedro|Martínez||Martinez, Pedro}} || 1.74 || [[Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Roger|Clemens}} || 3.70 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2000-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2000 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2001}} || {{sortname|Freddy|García||Garcia, Freddy}} || 3.05 || [[Seattle Mariners]] || {{sortname|Mike|Mussina}} || 3.15 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2001-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2001 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2002}} || {{sortname|Pedro|Martínez||Martinez, Pedro}} || 2.26 || [[Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Derek|Lowe}} || 2.58 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2002-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2002 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2003}} || {{sortname|Pedro|Martínez||Martinez, Pedro}} || 2.22 || [[Boston Red Sox]] || {{sortname|Tim|Hudson}} || 2.70 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2003-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2003 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2004}} || {{sortname|Johan|Santana}} || 2.61 || [[Minnesota Twins]] || {{sortname|Curt|Schilling}} || 3.26 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2004-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2004 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2005}} || {{sortname|Kevin|Millwood}} || 2.86 || [[Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Johan|Santana}} || 2.87 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2005-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2005 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2006}} || {{sortname|Johan|Santana}} || 2.77 || [[Minnesota Twins]] || {{sortname|Roy|Halladay}} || 3.19 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2006-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2006 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2007}} || {{sortname|John|Lackey}} || 3.01 || [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]] || {{sortname|Fausto|Carmona|Roberto Hernández (baseball, born 1980)}} || 3.06 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2007-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2007 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2008}} || {{sortname|Cliff|Lee}} || 2.54 || [[Cleveland Indians]] || {{sortname|Roy|Halladay}} || 2.78 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2008-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2008 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2009}} || {{sortname|Zack|Greinke}} || 2.16 || [[Kansas City Royals]] || {{sortname|Félix|Hernández||Hernandez, Felix}} || 2.49 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2009-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2009 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2010}} || {{sortname|Félix|Hernández||Hernandez, Felix}} || 2.27 || [[Seattle Mariners]] || {{sortname|Clay|Buchholz}} || 2.33 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2010-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2010 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=October 7, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2011}} || {{sortname|Justin|Verlander}} || 2.40 || [[Detroit Tigers]] || {{sortname|Jered|Weaver}} || 2.41 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2011-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2011 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=September 29, 2011}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2012}} || {{sortname|David|Price|David Price (baseball)}} || 2.56 || [[Tampa Bay Rays]] || {{sortname|Justin|Verlander}} || 2.64 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2012-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2012 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=October 4, 2012}}</ref>
|-
| {{mlby|2013}} || {{sortname|Aníbal|Sánchez}} || 2.57 || [[Detroit Tigers]] || {{sortname|Bartolo|Colón}} || 2.65 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2013-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=2013 American League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=September 30, 2013}}</ref>
|}

===Notes===
*{{note label|Scarborough48|a|a}} While [[Baseball-Reference]] 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.
*{{note label|Anderson88|b|b}}{{note label|Higuera88|c|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.
{{clear}}

==Other major leagues==
[[File:Eddie Plank Baseball.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Eddie Plank]] ''(pictured)'' was the runner-up in ERA to [[Earl Moseley]] in the [[Federal League]]'s last season of play.|alt=A man in a light-colored baseball uniform and baseball cap looks to the right of the image. He has a long face with a strong nose and chin, along with short hair seen under the band of his cap.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="78%"
!width=4%|Year
!width=14%|Leader
!width=4%|ERA
!width=17%|Team
!width=15%|League
!width=14%|Runner-up
!width=4%|ERA
!width=2% class="unsortable"|Ref
|-
| {{by|1882}} || {{sortname|Denny|Driscoll}} || 1.21 || [[Pittsburgh Pirates|Pittsburgh Alleghenys]] || [[American Association (19th century)|American Association]] || {{sortname|Guy|Hecker}} || 1.30 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AA/1882-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1882 American Association Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1883}} || {{sortname|Will|White}} || 2.09 || [[Cincinnati Reds|Cincinnati Red Stockings]] || [[American Association (19th century)|American Association]] || {{sortname|Tony|Mullane}} || 2.19 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AA/1883-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1883 American Association Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1884}} || {{sortname|Guy|Hecker}} || 1.80 || [[Louisville Eclipse]] || [[American Association (19th century)|American Association]] || {{sortname|Dave|Foutz}} || 2.18 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AA/1884-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1884 American Association Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1884}} || {{sortname|Jim|McCormick|Jim McCormick (pitcher)}} || 1.54 || [[Cincinnati Outlaw Reds]] || [[Union Association]] || {{sortname|Billy|Taylor|Billy Taylor (1880s pitcher)}} || 1.68 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/UA/1884-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1884 American Association Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1885}} || {{sortname|Bob|Caruthers}} || 2.07 || [[St. Louis Cardinals|St. Louis Browns]] || [[American Association (19th century)|American Association]] || {{sortname|Guy|Hecker}} || 2.18 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AA/1885-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1885 American Association Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1886}} || {{sortname|Dave|Foutz}} || 2.11 || [[St. Louis Cardinals|St. Louis Browns]] || [[American Association (19th century)|American Association]] || {{sortname|Bob|Caruthers}} || 2.32 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AA/1886-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1886 American Association Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1887}} || {{sortname|Elmer|Smith|Elmer Smith (19th century outfielder)}} || 2.94 || [[Cincinnati Reds|Cincinnati Red Stockings]] || [[American Association (19th century)|American Association]] || {{sortname|Matt|Kilroy}} || 3.07 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AA/1887-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1887 American Association Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1888}} || {{sortname|Silver|King|Silver King (baseball)}} || 1.63 || [[St. Louis Cardinals|St. Louis Browns]] || [[American Association (19th century)|American Association]] || {{sortname|Ed|Seward}} || 2.01 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AA/1888-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1888 American Association Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1889}} || {{sortname|Jack|Stivetts}} || 2.25 || [[St. Louis Cardinals|St. Louis Browns]] || [[American Association (19th century)|American Association]] || {{sortname|Jesse|Duryea}} || 2.56 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AA/1889-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1889 American Association Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1890}} || {{sortname|Scott|Stratton}} || 2.36 || [[Louisville Colonels]] || [[American Association (19th century)|American Association]] || {{sortname|Red|Ehret}} || 2.53 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AA/1890-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1890 American Association Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1890}} || {{sortname|Silver|King|Silver King (baseball)}} || 2.69 || [[Chicago Pirates]] || [[Players' League]] || {{sortname|Harry|Staley}} || 3.23 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/PL/1890-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1890 Players' League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1891}} || {{sortname|Ed|Crane|Ed Crane (baseball)}} || 2.45 || [[Cincinnati Kelly's Killers]] || [[American Association (19th century)|American Association]] || {{sortname|George|Haddock|George Haddock (baseball)}} || 2.49 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AA/1891-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1891 American Association Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1914}} || {{sortname|Claude|Hendrix}} || 1.69 || [[Chicago Chi-Feds]] || [[Federal League]] || {{sortname|Russ|Ford}} || 1.82 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/FL/1914-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1914 Federal League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{by|1915}} || {{sortname|Earl|Moseley}} || 1.91 || [[Newark Peppers|Newark Pepper]] || [[Federal League]] || {{sortname|Eddie|Plank}}† || 2.08 || <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/FL/1915-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1915 Federal League Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}</ref>
|}
{{clear}}

==Footnotes==
{{sabermetric | formula = <math alt="Nine times the quantity 'Earned runs divided by innings pitched'">\mathrm{ERA} = 9 \cdot \frac{\mathrm{Earned~runs~allowed}}{\mathrm{Innings~pitched}}</math>}}
*{{note label|ERA|a|a}} This is shown in the mathematical formula at right.<ref name="ERA">{{cite book|last=Formosa|first=Dan|coauthors=Hamburger, Paul|title=Baseball field guide: an in-depth illustrated guide to the complete rules of baseball|publisher=Thunder's Mouth Press|date=2006|page=228|isbn=1-56025-700-8|url=http://books.google.com/?id=ca_PpP9fVbsC&pg=PA228&dq=earned+run+average&cd=9#v=onepage&q=earned%20run%20average&f=false}}</ref>
*{{note label|League|b|b}}Recognized "major leagues" include the current [[American League|American]] and [[National League]]s and several defunct leagues—the [[American Association (19th century)|American Association]], the [[Federal League]], the [[Players' League]], and the [[Union Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/|title=Complete Baseball Team and Baseball Team Encyclopedias|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=March 16, 2010}}</ref>
*{{note label|Qualify|c|c}} A pitcher must throw a minimum of one inning per game scheduled for his team during the season (currently 162 innings per 162 games) to qualify for the ERA title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/official_scorer_10.jsp|title=Official Rules: 10.00 The Official Scorer|publisher=Major League Baseball|accessdate=March 2, 2010}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Baseball}}
*[[Adjusted ERA+]]
*[[Defense-Independent ERA]]
*[[List of Major League Baseball leaders in career ERA]]
*[[Run average]]

==References==
;General
*{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_pitching.shtml|title=Hall of Fame Pitching Register|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=February 9, 2010}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/earned_run_avg_leagues.shtml|title=Yearly League Leaders & Records for Earned Run Average|work=Baseball-Reference.com|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|accessdate=January 31, 2010}}

;Inline citations
{{reflist|2}}

{{NL ERA champions}}
{{AL ERA champions}}
{{MLB Triple Crown}}
{{Baseball records}}

{{featured list}}

[[Category:Major League Baseball lists|ERA champions]]

formulasearchengine - User contributions [en]

Hybrid functional