MLB: 5 Things to Watch for in the Second Half of the Season

Bartolo Colon could win the Cy Young award for the American League

July 21, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) returns to the dugout following the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Cy Young Award is the greatest award a pitcher can receive. Named after possibility the best pitcher of all time, the Cy Young award is won by the pitcher who receives the most votes from members of the Baseball Writer’s Association of America.

This year, the player currently projected (by ESPN) to be in first place in the voting thus far this season is Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Bartolo Colon. Colon has showed his dominance on the mound this season with 13 wins, a 2.52 ERA, and three shutouts. He was also selected to make his third All-Star appearance this year.

Colon has won this award before, once in 2005 when he lead the American League in wins. If he wins the Cy Young award again this year, it will be significant—not for the number of times he’s won the award, but for his age. Colon is 40 years old.

The oldest player to ever receive the award was Roger Clemens, when he played for the Houston Astros in 2004, at age 42. Colon would be tied with Gaylord Perry (Age 40) for the second oldest player to receive the award.