Indians' lefty Cliff Lee wins AL Cy Young Award

11/13/2008
ASSOCIATED PRESS
In this May 30, 2008 file photo, Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Cliff Lee throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals.
In this May 30, 2008 file photo, Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Cliff Lee throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals.

NEW YORK Cliff Lee is a runaway winner for the American League Cy Young Award, capping a dominant comeback season that made him the second consecutive Cleveland Indians lefty to earn the honor.

Demoted to the minors last year, Lee went a major league-best 22-3 this season with a 2.54 ERA. He received 24 of 28 first-place votes and 132 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America announced Thursday.

Toronto ace Roy Halladay finished second with four first-place votes and 71 points.

Lee became the third Indians pitcher to win the award, following Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry in 1972 and CC Sabathia last year.