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#1
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The Best Pitcher in Baseball Is?
I wanted to post this question in the 1980 and forward section - so here is the question. Whom do you think is the best pitcher that has played a baseball game from 1980 forward? Could it be Maddux? Could it be Glavine? I would like your thoughts. Mine is a current pitcher - none other than Justin Verlander. I obtained his rookie card early on - I'm glad I did. Do you have the rookie card of your pick? If so, please post a picture.
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#2
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Off the top of my head, I was thinking Maddux. I feel like I have lots of his rookies somewhere (as they were readily available and mass produced in the heart of the junk wax era). Just don't have one available for a picture right now.
As far as going beyond our gut feelings, here are the WAR stats from Baseball Reference. WAR isn't perfect, but I think it does a pretty good job. According to WAR, Roger Clemens would be the answer to your question for best pitcher since 1980. Maddux and Johnson also highly rated. Verlander, Scherzer, Kershaw, Grienke, and other currently active pitchers don't show up until number 27 and up. Here are the top 35 pitchers according to the WAR stat from baseball reference (Rank, Name, (Seasons), WAR, Innings pitched, Righty/Lefty): Rank Player (yrs, age) WAR for Pitchers IP Throws 1. Cy Young+ (22) 165.6 7356.0 R 2. Walter Johnson+ (21) 152.3 5914.1 R 3. Roger Clemens (24) 138.7 4916.2 R 4. Kid Nichols+ (15) 116.7 5067.1 R 5. Pete Alexander+ (20) 116.2 5190.0 R 6. Lefty Grove+ (17) 113.3 3940.2 L 7. Tom Seaver+ (20) 106.0 4783.0 R 8. Greg Maddux+ (23) 104.8 5008.1 R 9. Randy Johnson+ (22) 103.5 4135.1 L 10. Christy Mathewson+ (17) 100.4 4788.2 R 11. Phil Niekro+ (24) 97.0 5404.0 R 12. Bert Blyleven+ (22) 96.1 4970.0 R 13. Gaylord Perry+ (22) 93.0 5350.0 R 14. Warren Spahn+ (21) 92.5 5243.2 L 15. Tim Keefe+ (14) 89.1 5049.2 R 16. Eddie Plank+ (17) 87.5 4495.2 L 17. Pedro Martinez+ (18) 86.1 2827.1 R 18. John Clarkson+ (12) 85.0 4536.1 R 19. Steve Carlton+ (24) 84.1 5217.2 L 20. Nolan Ryan+ (27) 83.6 5386.0 R 21. Pud Galvin+ (15) 83.3 6003.1 R 22. Robin Roberts+ (19) 83.0 4688.2 R 23. Mike Mussina+ (18) 82.8 3562.2 R 24. Fergie Jenkins+ (19) 82.2 4500.2 R 25. Bob Gibson+ (17) 81.7 3884.1 R 26. Curt Schilling (20) 80.5 3261.0 R 27. Justin Verlander (17, 39) 76.4 3131.0 R 28. Jim McCormick (10) 76.0 4275.2 R 29. Tom Glavine+ (22) 73.9 4413.1 L 30. Old Hoss Radbourn+ (12) 73.2 4527.1 R 31. Clayton Kershaw (15, 34) 71.2 2540.0 L 32. Zack Greinke (19, 38) 70.4 3214.2 R 33. Max Scherzer (15, 37) 69.7 2639.1 R 34. Carl Hubbell+ (16) 68.8 3590.1 L 35. Don Sutton+ (23) |
#3
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Clemens, no real question leaving aside the PED issue. Then Johnson and Maddux. Pedro isn't too far behind but lacks the career numbers. I can't see anyone else really being in the discussion.
__________________
My avatar is a sketch by my son who is an art school graduate. Some of his sketches and paintings are at https://www.jamesspaethartwork.com/ He is available to do custom drawings in graphite, charcoal and other media. He also sells some of his works as note cards/greeting cards on Etsy under JamesSpaethArt. Last edited by Peter_Spaeth; 08-17-2022 at 04:01 PM. |
#4
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Roger Clemens
Greg Maddux Randy Johnson Tom Seaver Pedro Martinez I think it’s a pretty significant gap after that. Kershaw and Verlander being the top active. |
#5
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1980 forward is the question. So not Seaver?
__________________
My avatar is a sketch by my son who is an art school graduate. Some of his sketches and paintings are at https://www.jamesspaethartwork.com/ He is available to do custom drawings in graphite, charcoal and other media. He also sells some of his works as note cards/greeting cards on Etsy under JamesSpaethArt. |
#6
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" Whom do you think is the best pitcher that has played a baseball game from 1980 forward?"
Seaver meets the criteria as stated; the question was phrased as the best pitcher to have pitched a baseball game from 1980 to present; not the entirety of their career being post 1980. |
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