Clemens Takes Cy Young

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Posted By: Gilbert Maines

Ryan sure was a dominating pitcher during a long career. And he certainly doesn't have to be the best ever in order to be worthy of recognition.

And he is not, in my estimation, the best ever. Nor is he even the best recently, based on the measurement tools I use for evaluating overpowering pitchers. That is Randy Johnson strikes out far more opposing batters than Ryan's average, and Kofax had about equal success in striking out hitters to that of Ryan. But Kofax had a significantly lower ERA than Ryan, while Johnson's is only slightly lower.

This analysis indicates that both Kofax and Randy Johnson have outperformed Ryan. But Ryan pitched for nearly as many innings as Sandy and Randy combined. As has been pointed out, this longevity could have brought Ryan well into the 350+ victory club if ...., and that potential achievement alone likely would have settled many of the Ryan naysayers.

But it didn't happen. Does that matter?