If you could have one pitcher.... [Archive]

RaiderFan18

06-07-2009, 04:10 PM

If your MLB team had the chance to take one pitcher past or present for the 3 best consecutive years of their career, who would you take??

Example: i'd take Sandy Koufax for the last 3 years of his career

This thread stems from an argument I had on another board comparing Randy Johnson's peak to Sandy Koufax's peak, plus the increase in debate that's taken place since Johnson got 300 wins about who the best lefty ever is

ak4na2

06-07-2009, 04:25 PM

pedro martinez.. first 3 years in boston..

Hardcore Legend

06-07-2009, 04:31 PM

Gibson 1968-1971. Two Cy Youngs and an MVP.

Tarheelfan44

06-07-2009, 04:32 PM

Greg Maddux 1993-1995

1993: 20-10, 2.36 ERA, 8 CG, 268 IP, 197 SO, Cy Young Award Winner, Gold Glove

1994: 16-6, 1.56 ERA, 10 CG, 202 IP, 156 SO, Cy Young Award Winner, Gold Glove, All-Star in Strike-Shortened Season

1995: 19-2, 1.63 ERA, 10 CG, 209.2 IP, 181 SO, Cy Young Award Winner, Gold Glove, All-Star, World Series Winner

Totals in that 3 Year Period:
3 Cy Young Awards
2 All-Star Appearances
3 Gold Gloves
1 World Series Ring
3 Times League Leader in ERA
2 Time League Leader in Wins (4th in other year)
1 Time League Leader in W-L % (4th & 9th in other years)
3 Time League Leader in WHIP
1 Time League Leader in Hits/9 (5th & 2nd in other years)
1 Time League Leader in BB/9 (3rd & 5th in other years)
3 Time League Leader in Innings Pitched
1 Time League Leader in Games Started (2nd in other years)
3 Time League Leader in Complete Games
2 Time League Leader in Shutouts
1 Time League Leader in K/BB (finished 2nd & 3rd in other years)
3 Time League Leader in Batters Faced
3 Time League Leader in Adjusted ERA+

finished 3rd in Ks every year in NL

ogrjmj

06-07-2009, 04:36 PM

Gibson 1968-1971. Two Cy Youngs and an MVP.

ditto

Poochiesdead

06-07-2009, 04:51 PM

Pedro 98-2000

rupy017

06-07-2009, 05:11 PM

Japericho

06-07-2009, 05:15 PM

Tarheel fan doing a little research.

Hardcore Legend

06-07-2009, 05:16 PM

ditto

It should read "1968-1970". Math sucks.

Gibson from 1968 to 1970
W-L: 65-29
ERA: 2.13
79 Complete Games
20 Shutouts
811 Strikeouts
165 ERA+
1.047 WHiP
Two Cy Young Awards
One MVP
Three Gold Gloves
Three All-Star Selections

smwomer48

06-07-2009, 05:19 PM

Randy Johnson from 1999-2002. Four straight Cy Youngs and the most dominant pitcher in baseball during that period.

GMLBFan

06-07-2009, 05:38 PM

Lefty Grove 1930-1932...Considering it was the live ball era, this to me is the greatest 3-year stretch a pitcher ever had.

matzushocka

06-07-2009, 05:45 PM

Halladay-2007,8,+-2009

GMLBFan

06-07-2009, 06:03 PM

Lefty Grove 1930-1932...Considering it was the live ball era, this to me is the greatest 3-year stretch a pitcher ever had.

Here's why:

MVP- 1931
Pitching triple crown (Wins, IP, SO) 1930, 1931

Stat rankings from 1930 to 1932
ERA rank- 1st, 1st, 1st
Adjusted ERA- 1st, 1st, 1st
Wins- 1sr, 1st, 2nd
Win %- 1st, 1st, 4th
K's- 1st, 1st, 2nd
Complete games- 5th, 1st, 1st
Saves- 1st, 6th, 3rd
Shutouts- 4th, 1st, 1st

GoNiners

06-07-2009, 06:15 PM

Halladay in the years Matzu mentioned. That would be a ton of Swagger!

matzushocka

06-07-2009, 06:33 PM

Halladay is doing it against the best competition most and most evolved athletes, small parks etc....

mrmet6986

06-07-2009, 06:53 PM

no respect for Santana from 2004-2006, wow?!?!

but i would have to take Maddux from 93-95.

TheCollectorStop

06-07-2009, 07:28 PM

Greg Maddux 1993-1995

You beat me to it.

snedden001

06-07-2009, 07:31 PM

Halladay isn't even in the top 100. His numbers are average compared to Koufax, Gibson, Maddux.

Leafsfan1967

06-07-2009, 07:34 PM

Halladay-2007,8,+-2009

From 2002-2008, Halladay has a .698 winning percentage, 113 wins, 9 shutouts, 37 complete games, and 7.14 innings per start, all of which are the best in the American League in that time frame. Let's not forget to factor in on how crappy the Blue Jays have been as a team over most of these seasons!

TheCollectorStop

06-07-2009, 07:35 PM

It should read "1968-1970". Math sucks.

Gibson from 1968 to 1970
W-L: 65-29
ERA: 2.13
79 Complete Games
20 Shutouts
811 Strikeouts
165 ERA+
1.047 WHiP
Two Cy Young Awards
One MVP
Three Gold Gloves
Three All-Star Selections

We should not write off his 64-68 streak when he was 7-2 in the World Series. In 67 alone he won three complete games against the Red Sox. He had 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings in the World Series as well!

ak4na2

06-07-2009, 07:36 PM

TheCollectorStop

06-07-2009, 07:40 PM

If we are talking about a two year span I might go with Pedro from 1999-2000. His ERA+ numbers were 243 and 291,respectively, with the 291 being the best ERA+ in a season in the modern era.

Leafsfan1967

06-07-2009, 07:41 PM

Halladay isn't even in the top 100. His numbers are average compared to Koufax, Gibson, Maddux.

He isn't done yet, now is he? :rolleyes: ;)

As of yesterday he was 9-1 this season with a 2.77 ERA, 82 strikeouts, and a mere 12 walks. That of course doesn't include the games he pitched leaving with the lead, only to have the bullpen blow the game, nor does it include the complete game shutout he pitched this afternoon to go 10-1 (best in all of baseball). This thread isn't who's the best pitcher ever, it's if you could have one pitcher who would YOU take? I'm baffled how you feel the need to challenge another guys opinion on a question you clearly didn't bother to read correctly. :)

TheCollectorStop

06-07-2009, 07:45 PM

wow the stats are flying out..

here are pedro's stats from 1998-2000

win-loss = 60-17
innings = 664
era = 2.25
era+ = 219
whip = 0.922
so = 848
bb = 136

2 unanimous cy youngs..
1 triple crown..
3 time all star

His 98 was a good year, but not a historic year. From 99 to 2000 he put up historic numbers. Honestly, his 99-00 years were so good that you could say that even though his 98 season was not historic that they make up for it.

Japericho

06-07-2009, 07:54 PM

Maddux in his prime would only give up 1 to 3 runs a game.I watched Maddux pitch on a daily basis and he was the best i have ever seen.Not to be a power pitcher he done it with location of his pitches he could put the ball any where he wanted to put it.Randy Johnson always had good numbers anybody that could strike out 300 in a season and 20 wins deserves a Cy Young award.If Smoltz would have been healthy his whole career no telling what numbers he would have had.

ak4na2

06-07-2009, 08:13 PM

His 98 was a good year, but not a historic year. From 99 to 2000 he put up historic numbers. Honestly, his 99-00 years were so good that you could say that even though his 98 season was not historic that they make up for it.

If we are talking about a two year span I might go with Pedro from 1999-2000. His ERA+ numbers were 243 and 291,respectively, with the 291 being the best ERA+ in a season in the modern era.

although maddux's 94 and 95 season are just as comparable.. that 98 season for pedro was his worst year in a 7 year span..

if you want to talk era+ then maddux 93-95 is 171, 271, 262
and pedro was 163, 243, 291

cant go wrong with either.. and with respects to halladay and santana's of the modern era.. but maddux and martinez were just unreal.. for both during a 7 year stretch had an era over 2.50 only once each..

and dont forget clemens back to back triple crowns in toronto that was sandwiched by mediocre years..

Hardcore Legend

06-07-2009, 08:17 PM

I went away from 67 because he missed a big chunk of the season from a Clemente linedrive.

Pariah

06-07-2009, 08:17 PM

Augustiner Oktoberfest in Munich with a nice Frauline

TheCollectorStop

06-07-2009, 08:37 PM

although maddux's 94 and 95 season are just as comparable.. that 98 season for pedro was his worst year in a 7 year span..

if you want to talk era+ then maddux 93-95 is 171, 271, 262
and pedro was 163, 243, 291

cant go wrong with either.. and with respects to halladay and santana's of the modern era.. but maddux and martinez were just unreal.. for both during a 7 year stretch had an era over 2.50 only once each..

and dont forget clemens back to back triple crowns in toronto that was sandwiched by mediocre years..

Well, 98 was Pedro's 2nd best season to that point in his career and it was hardly a bad season. His 99-01 span was better than 98 to 2000, but now we're just nitpicking as he was nothing but incredible.

I think a player like Pedro who has more physical tools at his disposal is more likely to have a great 3-4 year run while a player like Maddux is more likely to have a great career. Maddux also won the four CY Youngs in a row and he has the most gold gloves of any player ever with 18 in only 19 years and 13 in a row. I do have a personal preference towards Maddux, but I think that Pedros 99-01 is just a little better than Maddux's 93 to 95. However, when it comes down to the best career Maddux is still in the discussion and Martinez is not. I think Martinez still has the ability to come out and make himself a first ballot hall of famer, but it just does not seem like he has the drive to anymore.

06-07-2009, 08:40 PM

Koufax

Eazy-D66

06-07-2009, 08:48 PM

Halladay.....he does it in the AL East. Done deal for me.

legendkiller533

06-07-2009, 09:04 PM

pedro 98-00. maddux was a close second but petey gets the nod for sentimental reasons. it was unbelievable to watch him in person during that stretch.

slightly off topic but does anyone remember the 2k series on dreamcast. pedro was practically untouchable in that game. that should be a new thread, most dominant video game athletes

BIGG-AL

06-07-2009, 09:04 PM

Sandy Koufax

NotoriousVesaToskala

06-07-2009, 09:04 PM

Randy Johnson, 2000-2002.

63-18, 2.48 ERA, 1053 Ks to 218 BBs, .211/.278/.337/.612 opponent batting line, 3 Cy Youngs.

UFCFan

06-07-2009, 09:54 PM

Gibson 1968-1971. Two Cy Youngs and an MVP.

That's exactly who came to mind when I saw the thread title. Dude was nearly unhittable when he was at his best. If ever there was a pitcher I would **** my pants if I had to step in the box against, it would be him.

UFCFan

06-07-2009, 09:56 PM

He isn't done yet, now is he? :rolleyes: ;)

As of yesterday he was 9-1 this season with a 2.77 ERA, 82 strikeouts, and a mere 12 walks. That of course doesn't include the games he pitched leaving with the lead, only to have the bullpen blow the game, nor does it include the complete game shutout he pitched this afternoon to go 10-1 (best in all of baseball). This thread isn't who's the best pitcher ever, it's if you could have one pitcher who would YOU take? I'm baffled how you feel the need to challenge another guys opinion on a question you clearly didn't bother to read correctly. :)

Jesus, don't take it so personally, fanboy. You're not Roy's mother, are you?

Tarheelfan44

06-07-2009, 10:13 PM

Randy Johnson, 2000-2002.

Johnson ('00-'02) Vs. Greg Maddux ('93-'95)
63-18-----------------------------45-18
2.48 ERA-----------------------1.85 ERA
4.830 K/BB----------------------5.058 K/BB
3 Cy Youngs--------------------3 Cy Youngs
0 GG-------------------------------3 GG
1.053 WHIP---------------------0.918 WHIP
6.9 H/9----------------------------6.9 H/9

Leafsfan1967

06-07-2009, 10:23 PM

Jesus, don't take it so personally, fanboy. You're not Roy's mother, are you?

I don't even follow baseball anymore mouth piece. First off, it wasn't my post he was bashing, it was matzushocka's post, and it was totally uncalled for. Stuff like that is why this board sucks now. That, and internet tough guys like yourself! ;)

UFCFan

06-07-2009, 10:39 PM

I don't even follow baseball anymore mouth piece. First off, it wasn't my post he was bashing, it was matzushocka's post, and it was totally uncalled for. Stuff like that is why this board sucks now. That, and internet tough guys like yourself! ;)

Yeah, yeah. Go to town, pal.

Hardcore Legend

06-07-2009, 11:10 PM

Johnson and Gibson both are such intimidating figures. I would never want to step into the box against either.

http://phoenix.fanster.com/wp-content/uploads/image_cache///d/tvcomedies/1/0/t/0/-/-/randy_johnson.jpg

shawnspookcity

06-08-2009, 06:08 AM

If I had to choose between Maddux and Johnson, I would choose Johnson. I think Maddux was the better pitcher, but Johnson brought the intimidation factor. Remember Kruk against him in the all star game?

plum29

06-08-2009, 07:58 AM

Steve Avery. :)

my favorite pitcher of all time.

jrd

06-08-2009, 08:42 AM

All the pitchers named so far are pretty good but I'll take one of these guys...(probably not even the best 3 consecutive seasons)

Christy Mathewson (1908-10)
37-11, 1.43 ERA 34 CG, 11 SHO, 285 K's
25-6, 1.14 ERA 26 CG, 8 SHO, 149 K's
27-9, 1.89 ERA 27 CG, 2 SHO, 184 K's

OR

Walter Johnson (1912-14)
33-12, 1.39 ERA, 34 CG, 7 SHO, 303 K's
36-7, 1.14 ERA, 29 CG, 11 SHO, 243 K's
28-18, 1.72 ERA, 33 CG, 9 SHO, 225 K's

sigep001

06-08-2009, 08:56 AM

Probably Bob Gibson 1968-70

Balco Scientist

06-08-2009, 08:57 AM

Pedro from 98-00 with Maddux from 93-95 a close second

B Dawk20

06-08-2009, 09:13 AM

How can anyone not pick Gibby. They changed the rules of the game because of his 68 season.

plum29

06-08-2009, 09:34 AM

nobody mentioned Bob Welch? wasn't he one of the last 27 game winners?

coggsnyrnyg

06-08-2009, 09:44 AM

Gooden 84-86

legendkiller533

06-08-2009, 09:48 AM

Just out of curiousity is it because of recent events no one has picked clemens or just everyone would rather have someone elkse?

kinedo2g

06-08-2009, 11:46 AM

Halladay, Johnson, or Pedro. They did against guys on steroids!

caesar2002

06-08-2009, 12:08 PM

nolan ryan

SammyLJ

06-08-2009, 12:24 PM

nolan ryan 1972 - 1974
w/l - 62-38
72 complete games
16 shutouts
4 NO HITTERS
1079 K's
All Star in '72 & '73
Hits per 9 innings pitched - 1st in '72 & '74, 2nd in '73
K's per 9 innings pitched - 1st all 3 years

all for the California Angels, a sub .500 team

jjackso1

06-08-2009, 03:35 PM

JOHAN SANTANA

plum29

06-08-2009, 03:52 PM

Mark Fyrich for the 1979 season.

in one month he threw 7 complete games and did most of this on only 3 days rest. :)

Steve G.

06-08-2009, 03:55 PM

Cy Young for sure 1892,93,94 he had 134 complete games, 12 shutouts, and 96 wins in those 3 years hard to beat that.

bham3098

06-10-2009, 08:16 AM

Walter Johnson, no doubt.

cniles

06-10-2009, 08:46 AM

Really tough between Nolan Ryan and Johnson but would have to take Randy Johnson.

NITEOWL

06-10-2009, 10:43 AM

Babe Ruth (at least he could hit) !:D

nucksfan

06-10-2009, 11:16 AM

Halladay hands down. Best pitcher in baseball since 2002 on a consistant level. Doesn't overpower anyone like a Johnson or Pedro but he's got an intimidation factor all his own. His location is exceptional, he can throw any pitch at any time, anywhere on the plate.