Jacob deGrom won his second straight Cy Young award in 2019, becoming the first Mets pitcher to accomplish that feat. But he doesn't seem content to stop there.
"I always set personal goals going into a season," deGrom said Saturday at the SNY Mets Town Hall at Mets Fan Fest. "I guess the goal is to be the best pitcher I can be. I'd like to win another Cy Young. But like I said, personal goals are great. And any time you can achieve 'em you feel like you're helping the team be the best it can be. ... The main goal is a World Series for me."
DeGrom mentioned the desire for a third straight Cy Young in his typical, wry fashion. He did the same thing before the 2019 season when mentioning his desire for a second straight Cy Young. He then went out and won it.
If deGrom is able to capture the Cy Young in 2020, he will become the third pitcher ever to win three or more in a row.
Greg Maddux won four straight Cy Young awards with the Braves from 1992-95, and Randy Johnson won four straight with the Diamondbacks from 1999-02.
"I don't like giving up runs," deGrom later added. "When I go out there, I want to put up zeroes and give these guys a chance."
Overall, deGrom had a 2.43 ERA (2.67 FIP) and 0.97 WHIP with 255 strikeouts (11.25 per 9) in 204.0 IP (32 starts) in 2019. He allowed just 154 hits and walked 44.
While winning the Cy Young in 2018, deGrom had a 1.70 ERA (1.99 FIP) and 0.91 WHIP with 269 strikeouts (11.16 per 9) in 217.0 IP (32 starts).
Over his last three seasons, deGrom has struck out 763 batters in 622.1 IP (95 starts), bringing his career strikeout total to 1,255 in six seasons.
Since making his big league debut in 2014, deGrom has posted a 2.62 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. Aside from his two Cy Young awards, he captured the Rookie of the Year award in 2014, and is a three-time All-Star (2015, 2018, 2019).