Bret Saberhagen

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Saberhagen developed an unusual pattern of dominant performance in odd-numbered years, specifically 1985, 1987, 1989, and 1991. In his breakout 1985 season at age 21, he posted a 20–6 record with a 2.87 ERA to win the American League Cy Young Award. He guided the Royals to their first World Series title, earning MVP honors by pitching two complete games, one of which was a Game 7 shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals. His career high came in 1989 when he compiled a 23–6 record with a 2.16 ERA, leading the American League in wins and innings pitched while finishing third in strikeouts. That year, he also led all of baseball in complete games with 12 and the strikeout-to-walk ratio. His second Cy Young Award followed these efforts, cementing his status as the premier pitcher in the American League during those peak odd-numbered seasons.

In Their Own Story

On August 26, 1991, Saberhagen delivered a historic performance at Royals Stadium by throwing a no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox, winning 7–0. This feat marked the last no-hitter thrown by a Royal to date. Earlier in his career, during the 1985 World Series, the atmosphere was charged with personal significance; on the same night as the infamous Don Denkinger call, Saberhagen's wife gave birth to their first son, Drew William. Despite the controversy surrounding that umpire call, Saberhagen secured the championship by pitching a complete-game shutout in Game 7. In his later years with the team, he faced injury setbacks, such as in 1987 when a shoulder injury suffered during the All-Star Game hampered his second-half performance after entering the break with a 15–3 record. His resilience was evident in 1990 when, despite a 5–7 record at the time of selection due to his previous year's dominance, he won the 2–0 American League victory in the All-Star Game before an injury shelved him for most of the season.

Reader's Guide

Saberhagen made his major league debut on April 4, 1984, at age 19, posting a 10–11 record with a 3.48 ERA in his rookie season. He picked up his only major league save that year on July 23 during a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays. Throughout his tenure with Kansas City, he navigated significant highs and lows: after winning the Cy Young Award in 1985, he struggled in 1986 with a 7–12 record and a 4.12 ERA before rebounding to an 18–10 season in 1987. He returned to elite form in 1989, going 23–6 with a 2.16 ERA. His time with the Royals concluded after the 1991 season when he was traded to the New York Mets on December 11, 1991, along with Bill Pecota, in exchange for Kevin McReynolds, Gregg Jefferies, and Keith Miller. Fans should note his unique no-hitter history: he threw one in high school at Dodger Stadium during the Los Angeles City Championship game in 1982, and another professionally in 1991 against the White Sox.

Did You Know?

• Saberhagen threw a no-hitter in his high school senior year at Grover Cleveland High School during the Los Angeles City Championship game played at Dodger Stadium.
• His only major league save occurred on July 23, 1984, when he pitched three scoreless innings to close out a 7–2 win over the Blue Jays.
• In 1989, Saberhagen led the American League in wins (23) and earned run average (2.16).
• His second son, Dalton Saberhagen, was named to the 2013 SEC Community Service team while pitching for the University of Tennessee.
• In November 2022, Saberhagen discovered he had biological parents with the last name Spuhler and found a living half-brother and half-sister.