Denton True “Cy” Young was born in Gilmore, Ohio on March 29, 1867 to a life of farming. Destined, however, for baseball stardom, Young began his professional career in 1890, first playing for the Cleveland Spiders before playing for St. Louis, Boston, and Cleveland again throughout his tenures in the National League and American League respectively. Young’s nickname stemmed from his ability to throw balls that were thought to be as fast as a cyclone, lobbing innumerable record-breaking pitches, some of which remain unbroken to this day.
In retired years, Young returned to his farm in Ohio until his death on November 4, 1955.
The Cy Young Award, which honors the best pitcher of each league in a given season, was created a year after his death to continue his legacy. Cy Young was made a Great Ohioan in 2009.