Quote:
Originally Posted by Tabe
I would definitely take Clemens. Clemens averaged more WAR per year (5.78 vs 5.05 for Pedro, ignoring Pedro's 2-game first season) while pitching 7 more seasons (24 vs 17, again ignoring 1992 for Pedro). And his best WAR year (1997 - 11.9) was better than Pedro's (2000 - 11.7). And, finally, Clemens averaged 205 IP for 24 years, while Pedro averaged 165 for 17.
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But if you're using WAR, looking at it per innings pitched (rather than per season) is the best indicator. And Pedro bests all those guys there.
Clemens' overall career is highly underappreciated though, and may very well be the best of all time (ignoring the steroids, obviously). But in additoin to that, I think he's also overlooked because he probably doesn't have that signature hallmark stat or moment.
No bloody sock, no all time strikeout king crown or standout lifetime ERA numbers (again, people need to look at ERA+ a lot more). He was just exceptional, but not
the best, at pretty much everything. But that's not as exciting as Nolan Ryan throwing 108 mph.