Posted By:
Jeff LichtmanI really have to take strong objection to the claim that Koufax is an overrated pitcher -- let alone the most overrated great pitcher of all time. Yeah, he only had a handful of great years but his career was cut short by injury due to the ridiculous number of innings he pitched despite arm trouble (323 innings one year when his arm was falling off). Using that as a criticism is like saying that Gale Sayers was no good because he didn't rush for 10,000 yards. What a joke. Why don't you look at his lifetime World Series record? Started 7 WS games, had an ERA under 1 and averaged 8 innings per start. And in 1965 he threw a complete game 4 hit shutout and on two days rest threw another shutout, this one a 3 hitter. Are you kidding me? Do you think Roger Clemens could throw 2 shutouts in 4 days in the World Series? Please. Don't compare him to a physical marval like Nolan Ryan who's career was mostly mediocre. Other than the no hitters and strikeouts, did he ever win? Did he ever win the big games? Finally, Koufax's lifetime ERA was .87 a run less than the league's average. Steve Carlton's was .48 lower; Ryan's was .38 lower. Walter Johnson was exactly 1 run lower, pretty close to the most "overrated" pitcher, Koufax. In the end, can you think of a pitcher you'd rather have pitch Game 7 of a World Series for you? No, you can't. Case closed.