Indians' Kluber, Chisenhall net GIBBYs

Corey Kluber and Lonnie Chisenhall turned in two of the most memorable performances of 2014.

Kluber's effort lasted a full season and earned him the American League Cy Young Award, while Chisenhall's was an all-time, single-game performance.

Each was magical in its own right.

On Saturday, Kluber won the Breakout Pitcher of the Year category in MLB.com's Greatness In Baseball Yearly Awards broadcast live on MLB Network and MLB.com.

Chisenhall also was honored for his June performance against Texas, when he scorched the Rangers for three home runs, five hits and nine RBIs in one of the greatest single-game performances in baseball history. For his work, Chisenhall won the Hitting Performance of the Year category in the annual GIBBYs.

"We felt Corey was the best pitcher in the American League this year," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said after the Cy Young Award announcement in November. "With the way he pitched for the entirety of the season, and when you look at not only the numbers that he put up, but the environment he did it in and the meaning of the games in which he pitched, we felt he was certainly deserving of the honor."

Kluber beat out Jake Arrieta, Zach Britton, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Duffy, Phil Hughes, Dallas Keuchel, Wily Peralta, Garrett Richards and Tanner Roark. Considering Kluber won the AL's Cy Young Award, his victory in the category hardly merits debate.

Video: 2014 GIBBYs: Chisenhall's career night earns GIBBY

In 34 starts for Cleveland last season, the 28-year-old Kluber went 18-9 with a 2.44 ERA and 269 strikeouts in 235 2/3 innings. He led the American League pitchers in Fielding Independent Pitching (2.35) and WAR (7.4, according to baseball-reference.com) and ranked second in the league in strikeouts.

Kluber joined Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens as the only pitchers in the past 25 years to have at least 18 wins and 260 strikeouts, plus an ERA of 2.50 or better, in a single campaign. Only Bob Feller (1946) and Luis Tiant (1968) previously accomplished that feat in Cleveland's long, storied history.

Kluber led the Majors with a 1.73 ERA in the second half of the season and went 5-0 with a 1.12 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings in his final five outings of the year. That final push, which came while Cleveland was still in contention for the postseason, helped Kluber join Cliff Lee (2008), CC Sabathia (2007) and Gaylord Perry (1972) as the club's only Cy Young Award winners.

"I wasn't expecting it," Kluber said after winning the Cy Young. "I definitely thought Felix was going to win. He had such a great year. To me, I guess I just assumed that who he is and how good of a year he had and all that kind of stuff would get him more votes. I think it's cool. I'm very appreciative of it."

Chisenhall's historic day came in Cleveland's 17-7 romp over Texas in June. He finished 5-for-5 with three home runs, one double, three runs scored and nine RBIs.

Video: CLE@TEX: Chisenhall hits three homers, drives in nine

"It's a rare feat," Chisenhall said after his incredible night on June 9 in Arlington. "I'm happy to have accomplished it. I know a day like today is kind of a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I'm just so happy."

The third baseman became the only Major Leaguer in at least the past 100 seasons to have at least three homers, five hits and nine RBIs in a game without recording an out. Chisenhall joined Fred Lynn (June 18, 1975), Gil Hodges (Aug. 31, 1950) and Walker Cooper (July 6, 1949) as the only players in the past century to have at least that many homers, hits and RBIs in one game.

"Stating the obvious," Indians manager Terry Francona said after the game, "that's a huge night."

Major League Baseball's A-listers won 2014 GIBBY trophies based on votes by broadcasters, reporters, front-office personnel, MLB alumni, fans at MLB.com and the Society for American Baseball Research.

This year's GIBBY Awards feature winners in 25 categories. Individual honors went to the Most Valuable Major Leaguer, in addition to the year's best starting pitcher, everyday player, closer, setup man, rookie, breakout everyday player, breakout pitcher, bounceback player, defensive player, manager, executive and postseason MVP.

GIBBY trophies also were awarded for the year's top regular-season play, outfield throw, storyline, hitting performance, pitching performance, oddity, walk-off, Cut4 Topic, regular-season moment, postseason storyline, postseason walk-off and postseason play.

In the past several seasons, fans have cast millions of votes across the GIBBY categories, none of which is restricted to individual league affiliation. That's how you know the GIBBYs consider the best of the best.

All 30 clubs were represented among the award candidates, which is a testament to the competitive balance around the game.