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Best Pitcher of the Modern Era (1980-present)

Discussion in 'Sports and News' started by Michael Echan, Jan 7, 2010.

?

Since 1980, who has been the best overall starting pitcher? (listed alphabetically)

  1. Roger Clemens: 24 seasons, 354-184 (.658 W%), 3.12 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 118 CG - 46 SHO, 4916.2 IP, 4672

    10 vote(s)
    15.9%

  2. Randy Johnson: 22 seasons, 303-166 (.646 W%), 3.29 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 100 CG - 37 SHO, 4135.1 IP, 4875

    7 vote(s)
    11.1%

  3. Greg Maddux: 23 seasons, 355-227 (.610 W%), 3.16 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 109 CG - 35 SHO, 5008.1 IP, 3371 K

    33 vote(s)
    52.4%

  4. Pedro Martinez: 18 seasons, 219-100 (.687 W%), 2.93 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 46 CG - 17 SHO, 2827.1 IP, 3154

    13 vote(s)
    20.6%
Page 4 of 6
  1. Batman

    Batman Well-Known Member

    In 2008, with the Padres and Dodgers, his team scored two runs or less in 14 of his 33 starts. They scored three runs five other times. Maddux was 8-13 that season, his last.
    Certainly he was on the downside of his career in that span from 2004-08. But he still won at least 13 games every year until 2008, and threw at least 190 innings every year until he retired. He wasn't what he was, obviously, but he was still better than a lot of fourth and fifth starters. Not like Johnson or Pedro the last few years. I'd hardly say Maddux was "hanging around too long."
     
    Batman, Jan 7, 2010
    #37
  2. Mizzougrad96

    Mizzougrad96 Active Member

    Solid No. 5 starter isn't exactly praise for someone who won four straight Cy Youngs.
     
    Mizzougrad96, Jan 7, 2010
    #38
  3. Simon_Cowbell

    Simon_Cowbell Active Member

    Clemens was almost all against non-pitchers
     
    Simon_Cowbell, Jan 7, 2010
    #39
  4. Batman

    Batman Well-Known Member

    For a guy who turned 38 in 2004 and never had a big fastball, being able to hold down a spot in a rotation for five more years is noteworthy.
    If he'd wanted to, I believe Maddux could have pitched last season and been decent. Not sure you can say the same about Johnson next season. Or Martinez, for that matter, for a whole season.
     
    Batman, Jan 7, 2010
    #40
  5. spnited

    spnited Active Member

    Is wrong.
     
    spnited, Jan 7, 2010
    #41
  6. Shoeless Joe

    Shoeless Joe Active Member

    I am a card-carrying, jersey-wearing, dyed in the wool Braves fan, but my vote went to Clemens.

    It's personal opinion, but I like the mean power pitchers over the guys living on the black. Even when Maddux was winning for Atlanta, I didn't really enjoy watching him. I enjoyed the wins, however.
     
    Shoeless Joe, Jan 7, 2010
    #42
  7. Ashy Larry

    Ashy Larry Active Member

    I don't know who was best.....but if I had to pay to see a pitcher, it would be Pedro...no question. From '97-'01 he was amazing, entertaining and unpredictable. As good as Clemens was with the Red Sox, he never matched the excitement that a Pedro start brought.

    Give me any of the five on the list and I'd be happy.
     
    Ashy Larry, Jan 7, 2010
    #43
  8. Simon_Cowbell

    Simon_Cowbell Active Member

    Pound-for-pound I wouldn't take anyone over Pedro... ever
     
    Simon_Cowbell, Jan 7, 2010
    #44
  9. Herbert Anchovy

    Herbert Anchovy Active Member

    "You and I are very much alike. Archaeology is our religion, yet we have both fallen from the pure faith. Our methods have not differed as much as you pretend. I am but a shadowy reflection of you. It would take only a nudge to make you like me. To push you out of the light."
     
    Herbert Anchovy, Jan 7, 2010
    #45
  10. jagtrader

    jagtrader Active Member

    It all depends on what you value: peak performance or longevity. Pedro's seven-year span starting in 1997 was as great as any pitcher in the history of the game. He just didn't throw the volume of innings as the other legends.
     
    jagtrader, Jan 7, 2010
    #46
  11. Simon_Cowbell

    Simon_Cowbell Active Member

    Such as Koufax?
     
    Simon_Cowbell, Jan 7, 2010
    #47
  12. cjericho

    cjericho Well-Known Member

    from Raiders of the Lost Arc?
     
    cjericho, Jan 7, 2010
    #48
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