Bedrock of the bullpen: Bedrosian's Cy Young season in 1987

Phillies pitchers dominated the National League Cy Young Award in the 1980s.

Closer Steve Bedrosian, who led the majors with 40 saves, was the 1987 winner. He followed John Denny (1983) and Steve Carlton (1982, 1980). Two home-grown pitchers who were traded by the Phils joined the decade list, Willie Hernandez (Tigers, 1984) and Mark Davis (Padres, 1989).

• Phillies alumni

Bedrosian, 29, was the third NL reliever to win the award, joining Mike Marshall (Dodgers, 1974) and Bruce Sutter (Cubs, 1979). Marshall was originally signed by the Phillies as a shortstop in 1960. Since Bedrosian, only two relievers have won, Davis (1989) and Eric Gagne (Dodgers, 2003).

Bedrosian set a then-Major League record with saves in 13 consecutive appearances, while leading the Majors with a Phillies-record 40 saves (in 48 opportunities). He was the NL Pitcher of the Month for May (1-0, 1.04 ERA, 10 saves).

Voting by the BBWAA members was the closest ever. Bedrosian had 57 total points, Rick Sutcliffe 55 and Rick Reuschel 54.

Living in Atlanta, Bedrosian went to the airport, where he waited for a phone call. Speculation had him as a serious candidate, as no one starting pitcher had an outstanding season.

Once he got the exciting call from the BBWAA in the Delta Crown Room, he boarded a flight to Philadelphia for a press conference at Veterans Stadium, wrote Paul Hagen in the Philadelphia Daily News.

“But I’m not looking at what other pitchers did, really. People who know me know I’m not a braggard. I’m not cocky,” he said in Hagen’s story. “But I did do something that pitchers hadn’t done before. I don’t want to say I backed in. I’m not stupid. But right now, I’m happy for me.

“This is the ultimate for a pitcher. I’ll remember this day as long as I live.”

The right-hander was known as Bedrock. That dictionary definition explains why “Bedrock” was an apt nickname for him. In his prime, he was a rock-solid relief pitcher and the foundation on which his teams built a bullpen. A fierce competitor whose fastball was consistently timed at 95 mph.

Big-League Career

A third-round selection by the Atlanta Braves in 1978 out of the University of New Haven, he was a starter and reliever during his first six seasons with the Braves (1981-85). He spent three-plus seasons with the Phillies (1986-89) and pitched for the Giants (1989-90) and Twins (1991), before finishing his career back in Atlanta (1993-95).

In 14 big league seasons, he pitched in 732 games with a 76-79 record, 3.38 ERA and 184 saves. He played in the postseason five times, winning a pennant with the 1989 Giants and the World Series with the 1991 Twins.

Philly Time

Bedrosian was acquired from the Braves along with outfielder Milt Thompson for catcher Ozzie Virgil and a young pitcher, right-hander Pete Smith, on Dec. 10, 1985.

After working his way through a sore arm in his first Spring Training (1986), he got off to a slow start as he worked his way back into being a reliever. He finished the season with 29 saves, matching Al Holland’s club record set two years earlier.

Bedrock got off to a rocky start again in 1987, allowing 10 runs on 11 hits for a 12.28 ERA in his first six appearances. On April 26, in his eighth appearance, Bedrosian recorded his first save. On May 10, he started a streak in which he earned 19 saves in 20 appearances, including a Major League record 13 consecutive appearances with a save.

By the All-Star break, he had 24 saves and three wins for a team with only 42 victories. He was selected to the NL roster for the All-Star Game.

Bedrock ended the season finishing 56 games amid his 65 appearances. Seven times he faced 10 or more batters in a game. He won five games to go with 40 saves on a team that finished fourth with an 80-82 record. He was the first Phillies pitcher to lead the league in saves since the rule was officially adopted in 1969.

By winning the Cy Young Award, he earned a $100,000 bonus. He received the same amount for winning the Rolaids Relief Man Award. His All-Star selection included a $25,000 bonus.

In 1988, Bedrosian saved 28 games. On Sept. 25, his 95th career save broke Tug McGraw’s club record.

On June 19, 1989, Bedrosian and a player to be named later (outfielder Rick Parker) were traded to the Giants for left-handed pitchers Dennis Cook and Terry Mulholland, and third baseman Charlie Hayes.

Phillies Record Book

Most saves, season: 45, Jose Mesa (2002); 43, Mitch Williams (1993); 42, Mesa (2001); 41, Brad Lidge (2008); 40, Bedrosian (1987).

Most saves, career: 123, Jonathon Papelbon; 112, Mesa; 103, Bedrosian.