Clayton Kershaw: Hall of Famer?

I can see that.

It's always better to struggle early than late, though, a la Koufax.

 

I plan to vote for Santana.

I assume Kershaw will make it too.

 

So now we're arguing that the big gap between Clayton Kershaw and Johan Santana is that idiot voters gave Bartolo Colon the Cy Young Award in 2005.

 

Bartolo Colon Hall of Famer?

 

That's not the entire argument.

But even on its own, it wouldn't be as silly as arguing that there's an "easily attributable" minor difference in one guy giving up twice as many home runs as the other guy.

 

Part of the gap, not all of it, is easily attributable to era and league. Look up home run numbers during their careers.

 

Santana was the best pitcher on the planet for a four-year stretch, so it's not a ridiculous comparison. Where Kershaw has him beat, though, is these past two seasons when he's stepped things up a few notches.

 

Roger Clemens used to be a sure thing HOFer

 

Mariano Rivera finished second, not Santana.

 

Is Verlander a lock yet?

 

He's flailing right now. He needs another good year.

One guy I always wished had gotten a more serious long look was Dwight Gooden. I think he deserved very strong consideration.

 

Santana deserved the Cy Young in 05.