Relief pitchers are about to receive long-awaited recognition from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). Beginning in the 2026 season, the BBWAA will present a Relief Pitcher of the Year Award in both the American League and National League , adding a fifth major honor to its annual ballot alongside the Most Valuable Player, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year.

This will be the first new award created by the BBWAA since the Manager of the Year Award was introduced in 1983. The decision was finalized at the organization’s December 2024 meeting and formally announced in August 2025. Voting for the inaugural awards will take place in September 2026, with the first trophies presented in November 2026.

The decision is reminiscent of 1956, when the BBWAA

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