in baseball, the cy young award is an honor given to the best pitcher in the major league baseball. the award was first introduced in 1956 by commissioner ford frick in honor of hall of fame pitcher cy young, who died in 1955. the award was given to the best pitcher in the major leagues. in 1967, the year after frick retired as commissioner, the practice began of honoring one pitcher in each league, the american league, and the national league. the 2021 american league cy young award winner was robby ray of the toronto blue jays, and the 2021 national league cy young award winner was of the milwaukee brewers.