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Albie O'HanianI have always loved this debate. It is all based on criteria. Certainly, if you are talking objectively the best pitchers over a short period are Pedro Martinez and Sandy Koufax (5-6 year range).
Martinez career winning percentage is .707 basically the best of all-time. His career earned run average is 2.62 which given time and place is the best of all-time. His hits allowed per nine innings is second all-time to Nolan Ryan. His strikeouts per nine innings is second all-time to Randy Johnson. His baserunners per nine innings is third all-time behind Joss and Walsh but the best all-time given time and place.
If you are talking who had the best career than the emphasis clearly changes but as far as Hall of Fame type pitchers built on short careers the best are Martinez and Koufax.