Quote:
Originally Posted by packs
Phil won a lot of games but he also led the league in losses four years in a row and retired with an ERA+ of 115.
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Phil Niekro pitched 5404.0 innings over 24 years to the age of 48 though and retired with a lifetime ERA of 3.35.
Quote:
Originally Posted by packs
I would take Hoyt Wilhelm for my team. Guy was an unheralded beast and would have a case for being the highest paid pitcher in the game today if he were starting his career right now.
In the age of the opener and long relief man, who wouldn't empty the bank for Hoyt Wilhelm?
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Hoyt Wilhelm pitched 2254.1 innings over 21 years to the age of 49 and retired with a lifetime ERA of 2,52.
What makes the comparison tough is that Wilhelm didn't break into the major leagues until the age of 29 while Niekro started at the age of 25. Moreover Niekro started in 716 games while Wilhelm started in only 52 games.