Best seasons that didn't win the Cy Young Award

Greinke finished second to Cubs ace Jake Arrieta in the NL Cy Young vote, but many felt he was deserving of the award. He went 19-3 with a 1.66 ERA and 0.84 WHIP, with 200 strikeouts in 222.2 innings.

Halladay got only four first-place votes in the NL Cy Young race, finishing behind Clayton Kershaw. However, his season was arguably better, considering his hitter-friendly home ballpark. The right-hander went 19-6 with a 2.35 ERA and 220 strikeouts in 233.2 innings for an 8.8 WAR.

Lee finished behind Clayton Kershaw and teammate Roy Halladay in the NL Cy Young balloting, but he had a brilliant year. The lefty went 17-8 with a 2.40 ERA and 238 strikeouts in 232.2 innings for an 8.5 WAR.

Johnson likely fell short of Roger Clemens in the NL Cy Young due to the difference in wins, but he was better by nearly every other measure. The lefty went 16-14 with a 2.60 ERA and 290 strikeouts in 245.2 innings. Clemens went 18-4 with a 2.98 ERA and 218 strikeouts in 214.1 innings. The Big Unit also finished with an 8.4 WAR, compared to Clemens' 5.4.

The Diamondbacks had clearly the top two pitchers in the NL for the second straight year, with the Cy Young vote led by Randy Johnson and Schilling again. Johnson deservedly won the Cy Young with a 10.7 WAR, 24-5 record, 2.32 ERA and 334 strikeouts in 260 innings, but Schilling finished second after going 23-7 with a 3.23 ERA and 316 strikeouts in 259.1 innings.

Schilling finished behind teammate Randy Johnson in the Cy Young vote, despite going 22-6 with a 2.98 ERA and 293 strikeouts in 256.2 innings. He did earn two first-place votes and finished with an 8.8 WAR to Johnson's 10.1.

Brown finished third in a close NL Cy Young vote behind Tom Glavine and teammate Trevor Hoffman. The Padres ace went 18-7 with a 2.38 ERA and 257 strikeouts in 257 innings, and was deserving of the award based on his league-best 8.6 WAR.

Pettitte was nowhere close to winning the AL Cy Young, finishing fifth in the vote. His season still deserved praise after going 18-7 with a 2.88 ERA in 240.1 innings, equaling an 8.4 WAR.

Appier finished third place in the AL Cy Young vote behind Jack McDowell and Randy Johnson, but he was the deserving winner. The right-hander won the ERA title (2.56) and went 18-8 with 186 strikeouts in 238.2 innings. McDowell was the winner after going 22-10 with a 3.37 ERA in 256.2 innings.

Rijo barely got any consideration for the NL Cy Young, finishing fifth in the vote. His season was still worthy, going 14-9 with a 2.48 ERA and 227 strikeouts over 257.1 innings. Rijo's 9.2 WAR was easily the best in the NL.

Clemens finished third in the AL Cy Young vote, behind closer Dennis Eckersley and White Sox starter Jack McDowell. The Red Sox ace should have won the award with a league-best 8.8 WAR, 18-11 record and 2.41 ERA in 246.2 innings.

Just behind Roger Clemens in the 1992 AL Cy Young vote was Mussina, who finished fourth after going 18-5 with a 2.54 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 241 innings for the Orioles. His 8.2 WAR was the second best among pitchers in the AL.

Clemens finished 30 points behind Bob Welch in the AL Cy Young vote despite one of the greatest seasons ever. He had a 10.5 WAR after going 21-6 with a 1.83 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 228.1 innings. Welch's ERA was more than a full run higher, but he won 27 games.

Higuera was second in the AL Cy Young race behind winner and AL MVP Roger Clemens. He still had an amazing season, going 20-11 with 207 strikeouts in 248.1 innings for the Brew Crew. He also threw a career-high 15 complete games.

Niekro was barely considered for the NL Cy Young Award, finishing in sixth place. However, he had a strong argument after leading the league with 334.1 innings, 22 complete games and 42 starts while posting a 2.88 ERA. It was Niekro's 19-18 record for the Braves that likely hurt his candidacy. Winner Gaylord Perry went 21-6 with a 2.73 ERA in 260.2 innings.

Ron Guidry deservedly claimed all of the first-place votes for AL Cy Young, but Caldwell's season was still brilliant. The Brewers ace went 22-9 with a 2.36 ERA in 293.1 innings.

Reuschel finished in third place in the NL Cy Young vote, trailing Steve Carlton and Tommy John. His season was still historic with a 9.4 WAR, 20-10 record, 2.79 ERA and 166 strikeouts in 252 innings while pitching his home games at Wrigley Field.

Fidrych's amazing rookie season was good enough to win Rookie of the Year but not quite enough to beat Jim Palmer in the Cy Young vote. He led the AL in ERA (2.34) and complete games (24), as he went 19-9 in 250.1 innings over 31 appearances at age 21.

Hunter finished just behind Jim Palmer in the AL vote, but he had a great year, going 23-14 with a 2.58 ERA and 177 strikeouts in 328 innings. The Yankees ace led the AL in complete games (30), innings and WHIP (1.01) in his first season with the team.

Perry finished in only fourth place in the AL Cy Young vote but deserved more press based on his results. He went 21-13 with a 2.51 ERA and 216 strikeouts in 322.1 innings, leading all pitchers in the league with an 8.6 WAR. 

Wood fell short of winning the Cy Young for the second straight year, but his season was arguably the best ever for a second-place finisher. He went 24-17 with a 2.51 ERA and threw 20 complete games in 49 starts. He led the league with 376.2 innings. Winner Gaylord Perry won by six points after going 24-16 with a 1.92 ERA and 29 complete games in 342.2 innings.

Lolich fell short of Vida Blue by 13 points in the AL Cy Young vote, after going 25-14 with a 2.92 ERA. He led the AL in starts (45), complete games (29), innings (376) and strikeouts (308).

Wood finished well behind Vida Blue and Mickey Lolich in the AL Cy Young vote, but his 11.8 WAR shows one of the greatest seasons in baseball history. He finished 22-13 with a 1.91 ERA in 334 innings for the White Sox.

McDowell finished third in one of the closest Cy Young votes ever. He had a strong argument for the award after going 20-12 with a 2.92 ERA and 19 complete games in 39 starts. He tied for the AL lead with 305 innings and led the league with 304 strikeouts.

McLain had the highest WAR of any AL pitcher at 8.1 but finished second in the Cy Young vote behind Mike Cuellar. He went 24-9 with a 2.80 ERA and 181 strikeouts in 325 innings. The Tigers ace led the league in starts (41), wins and innings.