Top 25 Living Pitchers

[Ray Finkle]

I'll argue that. From 1963 - 1966 Sandy Koufax might have had the most dominant 4 year stretch that ANYONE has ever had regardless of position in the modern era of baseball. Yes, he was cut short but when you look at the last 6 seasons of his career, focusing on 1963-1966 you can't argue that Pedro was better at any point. Koufax was cut off by injury though and that is the knock. It could be argued he was just enteringhis prime considering he retired at 30.

1961:
W-18 L-13, 3.52 ERA, 15 Complete Games, 2 Shutouts, 269 K, 96 BB.
The league ERA in 1961 was 4.35.
1962:
W-14 L-7, 2.54 ERA, 11 Complete Games, 2 Shutouts, 216 K, 57 BB.
The league ERA in 1962 was 3.63.
1963:
W-25 L-5, 1.86 ERA, 20 Complete Games, 11 Shutouts, 306 K, 58 BB.
The league ERA in 1963 was 3.02.
1964:
W-19 L-5, 1.74 ERA, 15 Complete Games, 7 Shutouts, 223 K, 53 BB.
The league ERA in 1964 was 3.23.
1965:
W-26 L-8, 2.04 ERA, 27 Complete Games, 8 Shutouts, 382 K, 71 BB.
The league ERA in 1965 was 3.26.
1966:
W-27 L-9, 1.73 ERA, 27 Complete Games, 5 Shutouts, 317 K, 77 BB.
The league ERA in 1966 was 3.28.

From 1961-1966 Koufax:

Lead the league in wins 3 times.
Won 3 Cy Youngs
Led the league in ERA 5 times.
Led the league in hits allowed/9 IP 5 times.
Led in strikeouts 4 times.
Led in innings pitched 2 times
And led the league in strikeout/walk ratio 3 times.

Add to those numbers his postseason numbers from 1963-1966 (4 wins, 2 losses, 0.95 ERA, 4 complete games, 2 shutouts, 54 K, 10 BB)

That is DOMINANCE.

The only thing that keeps him from #1 on the list is term of service. The guy just did'nt pitch long enough. For 6 years though it could be argued he was the best who has ever lived.

Very fair points and you won't get any arguements out of me, I guess I was wrong. The only reason why I said I thought Pedro had the best 2 years out of any other pitcher is because he was pitching in the steriod era in the AL, but I will admit I was not aware of Koufax's single season numbers.

Good pick up.

 

[tylerdolphin]

My top 3 would be Koufax, Clemens, Pedro. in that order
Koufax was the best pitcher ever in my mind. Its a shame he had to stop at an age when a lot of pitchers are just becoming great (30)

Clemens is a pretty good pitcher considering the "twilight of his career" was a good many years ago

Pedro put up some of the most dominating years in history over a few year span.

 

[Marino13fanboy1]

Nolan is my favorite pitcher of all time. Thus, he's the greatest.

All his no-hitters and 1-hitters are amazing. The K's are just icing on the cake. He was more fun to watch than Clemens.

 

[Alex44]

They should have done active pitchers IMO but the list is solid, a few guys are interchangable especially in the middle but its a judgement thing so overall the list is good

Best of all time has to be Roger Clemens though

 

[GreenMonster]

Koufax vs Martinez 6 year study

Koufax

61' - .83 era difference vs league
62' - 1.09
63' - 1.16
64' - 1.49
65' - 1.22
66' - 1.55

W/L - 129-47 (.732)

Martinez

97' - 2.31
98' - 1.72
99' - 3.00
00' - 3.23
01' - 2.14
02' - 2.16

W/L - 104-32 (.765)

From 97' - 02' Pedro

Won 3 Cy Youngs (97', 99', 00') 2nd in 2 other years.
Led League in era 5 times finished 2nd the other year.
Led the league in hits allowed/9 IP 5 times, finished 2nd the other year
Led the league in K's/9 5 times, finished 2nd the other year
Led the league in WHIP 5 times, finished 2nd the other year

That should add some fuel to the fire, Pedro has a better win % in those 6 years and his era differences are much more impressive.. Same amount of Cy Youngs, Pedro finished #1 in every catergory (era, k's/9, h's/9, whip) every year except 98' when Clemens put up a great Cy Young year.. Pedro 99'-00' > Koufax 65'-66'..

 

[nyjunc]

One area that may tip it to Pedro reg season wise is the mound was raised back then, the parks were biggera nd the hitters were smaller BUT again I think the postseason dominance of Koufax sways the overall towards him.

 

[GreenMonster]

One area that may tip it to Pedro reg season wise is the mound was raised back then, the parks were biggera nd the hitters were smaller BUT again I think the postseason dominance of Koufax sways the overall towards him.

Pedro has a better record in the postseason (6-2 vs 4-3) although Koufax's #'s are impressive.. It would be nice if Koufax woud have been able to keep pitching..

 

[nyjunc]

Pedro has a better record in the postseason (6-2 vs 4-3) although Koufax's #'s are impressive.. It would be nice if Koufax woud have been able to keep pitching..

koufax was a hard luck loser in a few games, you can't use record. Koufax never blew a 3 run lead in the 8th inning in game 7, he took his team on his back in 1965. He "lost" game 1 giving up 1 run in 6 innings then threw complete game shutouts in Games 5 and 7. That is maybe the most impressive feat in the history of the game.

Koufax's postseason ERA is .93, pedro's is 3.40 and outsie of game 5 '99 ALDS and game 3 ALCS he has been very shaky in the postseason.