Yankees' Cole wins 1st career Cy Young via unanimous AL vote

At long last, Gerrit Cole is a Cy Young winner.

The New York Yankees right-hander claimed his first career Cy Young, winning the AL honor in unanimous fashion over Minnesota Twins right-hander Sonny Gray and Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman.

Cole finished runner-up for AL Cy Young in 2019 and 2021. The 33-year-old was tremendous for the Yankees in 2023, posting a 15-4 record with a 2.63 ERA and 222 strikeouts across 209 innings.

"This is a richly deserved award for Gerrit, and I couldn't be happier for him," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said in a statement, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.

"It's not lost on me how fortunate I am to manage such a talented and driven player. Having the opportunity to witness Gerrit's dedication to his craft, to the game, and to his team has been a privilege."

Cole is the first Yankees pitcher to win a Cy Young since Roger Clemens in 2001 and the second Yankees pitcher to win unanimously, joining Ron Guidry in 1978.

The ace said he's proud to join an accomplished list of pitchers such as Clemens, Guidry, Sparky Lyle, Whitey Ford, and Bob Turley as Cy Young winners for the Yankees.

Cole has been elite for the Yankees since they signed him to a nine-year, $324-million contract before the 2020 season, posting a 51-23 record with 816 strikeouts in 664 innings.