MLB’s 10 Greatest Post-1950 Starting Pitchers of All Time
January 16, 2009
by Marcel Mansour…
10. Nolan Ryan
Ryan was a dominant pitcher who pitched for over four decades (’60s until ’90s). He is the all time leader in strikeouts with an amazing 5714 in his 27 year career. He had a record of 324 - 292 along with 222 complete games, 61 shutouts and a 3.19 E.R.A. He was also selected to the All Star team eight times, starting in the 1979 game.
He led the league in E.R.A. twice and he led the league in strikeouts an absurd eleven times. His best season came in the 1973 season with the Angels. In that season, he had a 21 - 16 record, 383 strikeouts in 326 innings pitched and a 2.87 E.R.A. However, he never won a Cy Young Award, finishing in the top five six times. Finally, he helped lead the 1969 Mets to a victory in the World Series.
9. Warren Spahn
Spahn was an extremely consistent and great pitcher from the 1940’s until the 1960’s. He had a record of 363 - 245, 2583 strikeouts and a 3.09 E.R.A. He had an amazing 13 seasons with twenty or more wins along with 382 complete games and 63 shutouts. He was also selected to the All Star team 17 times, starting in three of them.
He won his only Cy Young Award in the 1957 season as he had a 21 - 11 record, eightteen complete games, four shutouts, 111 strikeouts and a 2.69 E.R.A. He led the league in E.R.A. three times, wins eight times, strikeouts four times and shutouts four times. Finally, he led his teams to the World Series three times, winning his only championship in 1957 over the Yankees.
8. Pedro Martinez
Pedro is one of the most dominating pitchers ever as he was exceptional during his prime. So far in his 17 year career, he has a 214 - 99 record, 3117 strikeouts and a 2.91 E.R.A. He has been selected to the All Star team eight times, starting in the 1999 game. He also has led the league in E.R.A. five times, in wins once and in strikeouts three times.
He was won the Cy Young Award three times. His best season came in the 1999 season with the Red Sox when he had a 23 - 4 record, 313 strikeouts in 213.3 innings pitched and a 2.07 E.R.A. He won the Cy Young that year and also finished second in the MVP voting. Finally, he helped lead the Red Sox to a victory in the World Series in 2004.
7. Bob Gibson
Gibson was an amazing pitcher who pitched on the Cardinals during his entire career. In his 17 year career, he had a 251 - 174 record, 255 complete games, 56 shutouts, 3117 strikeouts and a 2.91 E.R.A. He was selected to the All Star team nine times, starting in the 1972 game. He was also a fantastic defensive pitcher as he won nine consecutive Gold Glove awards from 1965 until 1973.
He won two Cy Young Awards in the 1968 and 1970 seasons. His best season came in 1968 when he also won the NL MVP award. In that season, he had a 22 - 9 record, 268 strikeouts and a 1.12 E.R.A along with 28 complete games and 13 shutouts. He just missed the Triple Crown Award that season as he finished first in strikeouts and E.R.A. and second in wins. Finally, he helped lead his teams to the World Series three times, winning two of them in 1964 and 1967.
6. Tom Seaver
Seaver was a dominant pitcher from the late ’60s until the mid ’80s. In his 20 year career, he had a 311 - 205 record, 231 complete games, 61 shutouts, 3640 strikeouts, and a 2.86 E.R.A. He was selected to the All Star team 12 times, starting in the 1970 game and he won the 1967 Rookie of the Year Award.
He won the Cy Young Award three times, having his best season in 1969. During that season, he had a 25 - 7 record, 208 strikeouts, 18 complete games, five shutouts, and a 2.21 E.R.A. He led the league in E.R.A. three times, in wins three times and in strikeouts five times. He ranks sixth all time in total strikeouts, seventh in shutouts and 18th in career wins. Finally, he helped lead the Mets to a championship in 1969.
5. Roger Clemens*
Clemens would have probably been number one on this list had it not been for all of the steroid accusations that have occurred recently. In his 24 year career, he had a 354 - 184 record, 4672 strikeouts, 118 complete games, 46 shutouts and a 3.12 E.R.A. He was selected to the All Star team eleven times, starting in three of them. He led the league in E.R.A. seven times, in wins four times and in strikeouts five times.
He won a record seven Cy Young Awards, having his best season in 1986 when he won the AL MVP award. In that season, he had a 24 - 4 record, 10 complete games, 238 strikeouts and a 2.48 E.R.A. He ranks ninth all time in career wins, third in strikeouts and seventh in games started. Finally, he helped lead his teams to the World Series six times, winning two of them in the 1999 and 2000 seasons with the Yankees.
4. Greg Maddux
Maddux was a great and extremely intelligent pitcher who was dominant during his prime and solid throughout his career. In his 23 year career, he had a 355 - 227 record, 109 complete games, 35 shutouts, 3371 strikeouts and a 3.16 E.R.A. He was selected to the All Star team eight times, starting in three of them. He is also the greatest defensive pitcher ever as he won an amazing eightteen Gold Glove awards in a 19 year stretch.
He won the Cy Young Award in four consecutive seasons from 1992 until 1995. His best season came in 1995 when he had a 19 - 2 record, 10 complete games, 3 shutouts, 181 strikeouts and a 1.63 E.R.A. He led the league in E.R.A. four times, in wins three times, in complete games three times and in shutouts five times. Finally, he helped lead the Braves to the World Series three times, winning it all in 1995.
3. Sandy Koufax
Koufax was arguably the most dominant pitcher over a five year stretch from 1962 until 1966. In his short 12 year career, he had a 165 - 87 record, 137 complete games, 40 shutouts, 2396 strikeouts and a 2.76 E.R.A. He was selected to the All Star team seven times, starting in the 1966 game. He led the league in E.R.A. five times, in wins three times, and in strikeouts four times.
He won the Cy Young Award three times and the NL MVP once. His best season came in the 1963 season when he won the MVP. In that season, he had a 25 - 5 record, 20 complete games, 11 shutouts, 306 strikeouts and a 1.88 E.R.A. He won the NL Triple Crown award three times in his career.
Finally, he was arguably the greatest postseason pitcher ever as he lead the Dodgers to the World Series four times, winning three times. He had a 0.95 E.R.A. in 57 career postseason innings.
2. Steve Carlton
Carlton was a dominant pitcher who pitched from the mid ’60s until the late ’80s. In his 24 year career, he had a 329 - 244 record, 254 complete games, 55 shutouts, 4136 strikeouts and a 3.22 E.R.A. He was selected to the All Star team ten times, starting in two of them. He won one Gold Glove award in 1981 and won the NL Triple Crown Award in 1972.
He won the Cy Young Award four times, having his best season in 1972. In that season, he had a 27 - 10 record, 30 complete games, eight shutouts, 310 strikeouts, and a 1.97 E.R.A. He led the league in E.R.A. once, in wins four times and in strikeouts five times. He ranks 11th all time in wins, fourth in strikeouts, and 14th in shutouts. Finally, he led his teams to the World Series four times, winning two in the 1967 and 1980 seasons.
1. Randy Johnson
Johnson has been the most dominant pitcher over the least twenty seasons and the best in the modern era. So far in his 21 year career, he has a 295 - 160 record, 100 complete games, 37 shutouts, 4789 strikeouts, and a 3.26 E.R.A. He has been selected to the All Star team ten times, starting in four of them. He has led the league in E.R.A. four times, in wins once and in strikeouts an amazing nine times.
He has won the Cy Young five times, including four consecutive from 1999 until 2002. His best season came in 2002 when he had a 24 - 5 record, 334 strikeouts, eight complete games, four shutouts, and a 2.32 E.R.A. He ranks second all time in total strikeouts and 25th all time in wins. Finally, he helped lead the Diamondbacks to a victory in the World Series as he won the World Series MVP.
If They Weren’t Jocks: Sean Avery
January 16, 2009
by Pete
Welcome to my series entitled “If They Weren’t Jocks,” a look at what sports personalities would be doing if they weren’t doing sports.
Enjoy…
Sean Avery as Pop Superstar “Seanadonna”
In this month’s issue we interview androgynous pop-star turned superstar, SEANADONNA.
We ask him/her about his/her just completed record breaking world tour, “Puppet Show for Marty.”
We also find out the philosophy behind the chart-topping singles from his/her latest triple platinum CD entitled “Batman, Buttman, Bettman,” including monster hits “Bury The Axe (In Gary’s Head)”, “Sloppy Joe Seconds”, “Turd Co.”, and “Dallas hates me mo’ than Romo.”
Don’t miss the exclusive photo spread of Seanadonna’s 500 square feet of wardrobe space along with a detailed run-down of a footwear collection that even Imelda Marcos would die for.
Also, with every issue, we include a 10cc tester sample of Seanadonna’s newest fragrance, “$PUNK!”
Don’t miss it. Available the first of the month in newsstands near you or wherever fine magazines are stoled.
College Basketball Weekend Preview: Five Games Each Featuring Two Ranked Teams
January 16, 2009
by Jameson Fleming…
3) Wake Forest at (9) Clemson, 3:30 PM Saturday on ABC
For the second straight weekend, the Demon Deacons will tip-off against a fellow ACC team ranked in the top 10. But unlike last week, when Wake took on North Carolina at home, WF must travel to Clemson to face the Tigers. Playing on the road hasn’t been a problem for Dino Gaudio’s club, as Wake Forest snapped BYU’s 53-game home winning streak.
Wake Forest matches up worse against Clemson then it did against North Carolina because of the lack of ball-handlers that can beat the Tigers’ fullcourt press. Superstar Jeff Teague can move the ball, as can L.D. Williams, but the Deacons lack another guard that will consistently provide quality minutes.
Lone senior Harvey Hale will provide senior leadership and experience that could make him the third guard Gaudio will need to get past the press.
Wake Forest’s point guard of the past, Ishmael Smith, has been extremely inconsistent this year while battling through injuries and is turning the ball over too much.
Clemson also the depth to match up with Wake Forest. Nine different Clemson Tigers see double-digit minutes, which will give coach Oliver Purnell plenty of bodies to run up and down the court.
The Tigers are a very tough defensive team to face. Clemson ranks near the top of the country in all the intangibles—13th in forcing turnovers, seventh in block percentage, and sixth in steal percentage. They are going to pressure Jeff Teague to the point he’s going to have get rid of the ball and let the frontline of trees make plays to put the ball in the basket.
Even with the pressure, Teague shouldn’t be fazed. The sophomore’s worst game this season came against Baylor, when he scored 14 points but contributed another eight rebounds and eight assists.
Clemson will counter with several guys who can step out and shoot the three. Trevor Booker, K.C. Rivers, and Terrence Oglesby are all shooting better than 35 percent from three. Booker and Rivers will also provide a very potent inside force as the two combine for 15.6 rebounds per game.
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