The 27-year-old southpaw did more than just continue this particular narrative, of course. He assembled a stat line that offers all sorts of compelling connections to the past.
For the most part, the men who have led the league in wins, ERA+ and WHIP in any given year since 1956 have thrown the ball with their right hands. Righties Roger Clemens (1986, '97), Bret Saberhagen ('89), Greg Maddux ('94, '95), Pedro Martinez ('99), and Justin Verlander (2011) all did so.
Keuchel is only the fourth southpaw since 1956 to accomplish the feat. Here's a look at his numbers in these three categories, along with the three others who rode such leadership to a Cy Young Award:
Ron Guidry, 1978: "Gator" recorded 25 wins, a 208 ERA+ and a 0.