100 Greatest Starting Pitchers of All-Time

Dave Franks June 5, 2019 9 Comments

Updated 02/22/2020

Major League Baseball as we know it, that is two leagues American and National, playing by the same rules with the champion from each squaring off against the other for baseball supremacy was born in 1901. Because of that these rankings only consider seasons and careers from 1901 and after. To be eligible a player has to have 750 career innings pitched.

If you don’t agree, leave a comment and let me know why.

Walter Johnson

Age: 19 – 39
Years: 1907 – 1927
Teams: Washingotn Senators

Walter Johnson
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
152.33	68	802	666	417	279	2.17	5914.2	531	110	34	1902	1424	1363	3509	12.6%	1.061

Roger Clemens

Age: 21 – 44
Years: 1984 – 2007
Teams: Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Houston Astros

Roger Clemens
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
139.36	70	709	707	354	184	3.12	4916.2	118	46	0	1885	1707	1580	4672	23.1%	1.172

Lefty Grove

Age: 25 – 41
Years: 1925 – 1941
Teams: Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red Sox

Lefty Grove
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
109.93	68	616	457	300	141	3.06	3940.2	298	35	55	1594	1339	1187	2266	13.6%	1.278

Pete Alexander

Age: 24 – 43
Years: 1911 – 1930
Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals

Pete Alexander
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
116.98	73	696	599	373	208	2.56	5190	437	90	32	1851	1476	951	2198	8.3%	1.121

Randy Johnson

Age: 24 – 45
Years: 1988 – 2009
Teams: Montreal Expos, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants

Randy Johnson
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
104.28	75	618	603	303	166	3.29	4135.1	100	37	2	1703	1513	1497	4875	28.6%	1.171

Christy Mathewson

Age: 19 – 35
Years: 1900 – 1916
Teams: New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds

Christy Mathewson
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
98.3	74	635	551	373	188	2.13	4780.2	434	79	28	1616	1133	844	2502	6.4%	1.058

Pedro Martinez

Age: 20 – 37
Years: 1992 – 2009
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies

Pedro Martinez
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
86.01	66	476	409	219	100	2.93	2827.1	46	17	3	1006	919	760	3154	27.7%	1.054

Tom Seaver

Age: 22 – 41
Years: 1967 – 1986
Teams: New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox

Tom Seaver
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
106.26	79	656	647	311	205	2.86	4782.2	231	61	1	1674	1521	1390	3640	18.8%	1.121

Greg Maddux

Age: 20 – 42
Years: 1986 – 2008
Teams: Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres

Greg Maddux
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
104.6	76	744	740	355	227	3.16	5008.1	109	35	0	1981	1756	999	3371	16.5%	1.143

Bob Gibson

Age: 23 – 39
Years: 1959 – 1975
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals

Bob Gibson
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
81.93	78	528	482	251	174	2.91	3884.1	255	56	6	1420	1258	1336	3117	19.4%	1.188

Cy Young

Age: 23 – 44
Years: 1890 – 1911
Teams: Cleveland Spiders, St. Louis Perfectos, Boston Americans / Red Sox, Cleveland Naps, Boston Rustlers

Cy Young
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
170.28	74	906	815	511	316	2.63	7354.2	749	76	17	3167	2147	1217	2803	.%	1.129

Gaylord Perry

Age: 23 – 44
Years: 1962 – 1983
Teams: San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals

Gaylord Perry
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
93.7	85	777	690	314	265	3.11	5350.1	303	53	11	2128	1846	1379	3534	16.1%	1.180

Ed Walsh

Age: 23 – 36
Years: 1904 – 1917
Teams: Chicago White Sox, Boston Braves

Ed Walsh
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
63.22	69	430	315	195	126	1.82	2964.1	250	57	34	877	598	617	1736	7.1%	0.999

Bert Blyleven

Age: 19 – 39, 41
Years: 1970 – 1990, 1992
Teams: Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians, California Angels

Bert Blyleven
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
96.49	85	692	685	287	250	3.31	4970	242	60	0	2029	1830	1322	3701	18.1%	1.197

Steve Carlton

Age: 20 – 43
Years: 1965 – 1988
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins

Steve Carlton
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
84.13	87	741	709	329	244	3.22	5217.1	254	55	2	2130	1864	1833	4136	19.1%	1.246

Warren Spahn

Age: 21, 25 – 44
Years: 1942, 1946 – 1965
Teams: Boston / Milwaukee Braves, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants

Warren Spahn
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
92.58	84	750	665	363	245	3.09	5243.2	382	63	29	2016	1798	1434	2583	12.0%	1.194

Robin Roberts

Age: 21 – 39
Years: 1948 – 1966
Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs

Robin Roberts
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
83.08	89	676	609	286	245	3.41	4688.2	305	45	25	1962	1774	902	2357	12.3%	1.169

Curt Schilling

Age: 21 – 40
Years: 1988 – 2007
Teams: Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox

Curt Schilling
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
80.74	80	569	436	216	146	3.46	3261	83	20	22	1318	1253	711	3116	23.5%	1.137

Fergie Jenkins

Age: 22 – 40
Years: 1965 – 1983
Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox

Fergie Jenkins
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
82.76	87	664	594	284	226	3.34	4500.2	267	49	7	1853	1669	997	3192	17.4%	1.141

Clayton Kershaw

Age: 20 – 31
Years: 2008 – 2019
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
65.4	63	347	344	169	74	2.44	2274.2	25	15	0	672	617	577	2464	27.5%	1.01

Roy Halladay

Age: 21 – 36
Years: 1998 – 2013
Teams: Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies

Roy Halladay
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
65.62	76	416	390	203	105	3.38	2749.1	67	20	1	1135	1034	592	2117	18.8%	1.177

Justin Verlander

Age: 22 – 36
Years: 2005 – 2019
Teams: Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros

Justin Verlander
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
71.4	78	453	453	225	129	3.33	2982	26	9	0	1190	1103	850	3006	24.7%	1.14

Juan Marichal

Age: 22 – 37
Years: 1960 – 1975
Teams: San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers

Juan Marichal
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
61.92	81	471	457	243	142	2.89	3507.1	244	52	2	1329	1126	709	2303	16.2%	1.101

Bob Feller

Age: 17 – 22, 26 – 37
Years: 1936 – 1941, 1945 – 1956
Teams: Cleveland Indians

Bob Feller
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
65.24	82	570	484	266	162	3.25	3827	279	44	21	1557	1384	1764	2581	16.%	1.315

Eddie Plank

Age: 25 – 41
Years: 1901 – 1917
Teams: Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Terriers, St. Louis Browns

Eddie Plank
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
86.48	81	623	529	326	194	2.35	4495.2	410	69	23	1569	1174	1072	2246	7.8%	1.118

Mike Mussina

Age: 22 – 39
Years: 1991 – 2008
Teams: Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees

Mike Mussina
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
82.69	82	537	536	270	153	3.68	3562.2	57	23	0	1559	1458	785	2813	19.3%	1.191

Sandy Koufax

Age: 19 – 30
Years: 1955 – 1966
Teams: Brooklyn / Los Angeles Dodgers

Sandy Koufax
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
53.17	75	397	314	165	87	2.76	2324.1	137	40	9	806	713	817	2396	25.2%	1.106

Stan Coveleski

Age: 22, 26 – 38
Years: 1912, 1916 – 1928
Teams: Philadelphia Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Washingotn Senators, New York Yankees

Stan Coveleski
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
65.21	78	450	385	215	142	2.89	3082	224	38	21	1237	990	802	981	7.7%	1.251

Hal Newhouser

Age: 18 – 34
Years: 1939 – 1955
Teams: Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians

Hal Newhouser
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
60.36	76	488	374	207	150	3.06	2993	212	33	26	1197	1016	1249	1796	14.2%	1.310

Rube Waddell

Age: 20, 22 – 33
Years: 1897, 1899 – 1910
Teams: Louisville Colonels, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Orphans, Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Browns

Rube Waddell
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
61.02	75	407	340	193	143	2.16	2961.1	261	50	5	1063	711	803	2316		1.101

Kevin Brown

Age: 21, 23 – 40
Years: 1986, 1988 – 2005
Teams: Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees

Kevin Brown
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
68.54	78	486	476	211	144	3.28	3256	72	17	0	1357	1185	901	2397	17.7%	1.222

Zack Greinke

Age: 20 – 35
Years: 2004 – 2019
Teams: Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Houston Astros

Zack Greinke
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
66.7	80	488	447	205	123	3.35	2872	16	5	1	1151	1070	667	2622	22.4%	1.16

Jim Palmer

Age: 19 – 21, 23 – 38
Years: 1965 – 1967, 1969 – 1984
Teams: Baltimore Orioles

Jim Palmer
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
68.13	79	558	521	268	152	2.86	3948	211	53	4	1395	1253	1311	2212	13.7%	1.180

Joe McGinnity

Age: 28 – 37
Years: 1899 – 1908
Teams: Baltimore Orioles, Brooklyn Superbas, New York Giants

Joe McGinnity
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
60.43	85	465	381	246	142	2.66	3441.1	314	32	24	1438	1016	812	1068	.%	1.187

Nolan Ryan

Age: 19, 21 – 46
Years: 1966, 1968 – 1993
Teams: New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers

Nolan Ryan
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
83.85	90	807	773	324	292	3.19	5386	222	61	3	2178	1911	2795	5714	25.3%	1.247

Dazzy Vance

Age: 24, 27, 31 – 44
Years: 1915, 1918, 1922 – 1935
Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Brooklyn Robins / Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals

Dazzy Vance
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
62.48	81	442	347	197	140	3.24	2966.2	216	29	11	1246	1068	840	2045	16.6%	1.230

Max Scherzer

Age: 23 – 34
Years: 2008 – 2019
Teams: Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals

Max Scherzer
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
58.7	76	365	356	170	89	3.20	2290	10	5	0	876	813	618	2692	29.0%	1.09

Carl Hubbell

Age: 25 – 40
Years: 1928 – 1943
Teams: New York Giants

Carl Hubbell
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
67.81	77	535	431	253	154	2.98	3590.1	260	36	33	1380	1188	725	1677	11.3%	1.165

Jim Bunning

Age: 23 – 39
Years: 1955 – 1971
Teams: Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers

Jim Bunning
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
60.27	88	591	519	224	184	3.27	3760.1	151	40	16	1527	1366	1000	2855	18.3%	1.178

Bret Saberhagen

Age: 20 – 31, 33 – 35, 37
Years: 1984 – 1995, 1997 – 1999, 2001
Teams: Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox

Bret Saberhagen
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
59.06	80	399	371	167	117	3.34	2562.2	76	16	1	1036	952	471	1715	16.5%	1.140

Luis Tiant

Age: 23 – 41
Years: 1964 – 1982
Teams: Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, California Angels

Luis Tiant
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
66.09	87	573	484	229	172	3.3	3486.1	187	49	15	1400	1280	1104	2416	16.8%	1.198

Johan Santana

Age: 21 – 31, 33
Years: 2000 – 2010, 2012
Teams: Minnesota Twins, New York Mets

Johan Santana
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
50.67	74	360	284	139	78	3.2	2025.2	15	10	1	773	721	567	1988	24.1%	1.132

Rick Reuschel

Age: 23 – 32, 34 – 42
Years: 23 – 32, 34 – 42
Teams: Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants

Rick Reuschel
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
68.16	88	557	529	214	191	3.37	3548.1	102	26	5	1494	1330	935	2015	13.5%	1.274

Tom Glavine

Age: 21 – 42
Years: 1987 – 2008
Teams: Atlanta Braves, New York Mets

Tom Glavine
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
73.97	86	682	682	305	203	3.54	4413.1	56	25	0	1900	1734	1500	2607	14.0%	1.313

Dave Stieb

Age: 21 – 35, 40
Years: 1979 – 1993, 1998
Teams: Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox

Dave Stieb
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
56.98	82	443	412	176	137	3.44	2895.1	103	30	3	1225	1106	1034	1669	13.8%	1.245

David Cone

Age: 23 – 38, 40
Years: 1986 – 2001, 2003
Teams: Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox

David Cone
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
61.69	84	450	419	194	126	3.46	2898.2	56	22	1	1222	1115	1137	2668	21.9%	1.256

Mordecai Brown

Age: 26 – 39
Years: 1903 – 1916
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Terriers, Brooklyn Tip-Tops, Chicago Whales

Mordecai Brown
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
55.11	71	481	332	239	130	2.06	3172.1	271	55	49	1044	725	673	1375	10.3%	1.065

Eddie Cicotte

Age: 21, 24 – 36
Years: 1905, 1908 – 1920
Teams: Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox

Eddie Cicotte
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
56.92	82	502	361	208	149	2.38	3223.1	249	35	25	1149	853	827	1374	9.9%	1.155

Kevin Appier

Age: 21 – 36
Years: 1989 – 2004
Teams: Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, Anaheim Angels

Kevin Appier
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
55.07	83	414	402	169	137	3.74	2595.1	34	12	0	1168	1078	933	1994	18.2%	1.293

Don Drysdale

Age: 19 – 32
Years: 1956 – 1969
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers

Don Drysdale
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
61.21	83	518	465	209	166	2.95	3432	167	49	6	1292	1124	855	2486	17.6%	1.147

Red Faber

Age: 25 – 44
Years: 1914 – 1933
Teams: Chicago White Sox

Red Faber
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
68.35	84	669	483	254	213	3.15	4086.2	273	29	28	1813	1430	1213	1471	7.8%	1.301

John Smoltz

Age: 21 – 32, 34 – 42
Years: 1988 – 1999, 2001 – 2009
Teams: Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals

John Smoltz
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
66.48	81	723	481	213	155	3.33	3473	53	16	154	1391	1284	1010	3084	21.6%	1.175

Chuck Finley

Age: 23 – 39
Years: 1986 – 2002
Teams: California Angels, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals

Chuck Finley
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
58.51	87	524	467	200	173	3.84	3197.2	63	15	0	1517	1366	1332	2610	19.1%	1.376

C.C. Sabathia

Age: 20 – 38
Years: 2001 – 2019
Teams: Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees

CC Sabathia
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
62.5	87	561	560	251	161	3.74	3577.1	38	12	0	1623	1485	1099	3093	20.6%	1.26

Vic Willis

Age: 22 – 34
Years: 1898 – 1910
Teams: Boston Beaneaters, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals

Vic Willis
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
67.1	87	513	471	249	205	2.63	3996	388	50	11	1628	1167	1212	1651		1.209

Chris Sale

Age: 21 – 30
Years: 2010 – 2019
Teams: Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox

Chris Sale
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
45.4	71	312	232	109	73	3.03	1629.2	16	3	12	590	548	374	2007	30.7%	1.03

Addie Joss

Age: 22 – 30
Years: 1902 – 1910
Teams: Clevleand Bronchos / Naps

Addie Joss
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
45.88	70	286	260	160	97	1.89	2327	234	45	5	729	488	364	920		0.967

Roy Oswalt

Age: 23 – 35
Years: 2001 – 2013
Teams: Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies

Roy Oswalt
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
49.87	79	365	341	163	102	3.36	2245.1	20	8	0	897	838	520	1852	19.9%	1.211

Tim Hudson

Age: 23 – 39
Years: 1999 – 2015
Teams: Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants

Tim Hudson
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
57.17	83	482	479	222	133	3.49	3126.2	26	13	0	1319	1213	917	2080	16.0%	1.239

Nap Rucker

Age: 22 – 31
Years: 1907 – 1916
Teams: Brooklyn Superbas / Robins

Nap Rucker
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
47.93	86	336	272	134	134	2.42	2375.1	186	38	14	817	639	701	1217	9.4%	1.174

Urban Shocker

Age: 25 – 37
Years: 1916 – 1928
Teams: New York Yankees, St. Louis Browns

Urban Shocker
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
54.85	81	412	317	187	117	3.17	2681.2	200	28	25	1127	945	657	983	8.8%	1.255

Billy Pierce

Age: 18, 21 – 37
Years: 1945, 1948 – 1964
Teams: Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants

Billy Pierce
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
53.05	84	585	432	211	169	3.27	3306.2	193	38	32	1325	1201	1178	1999	14.4%	1.260

Cole Hamels

Age: 22 – 34
Years: 2006 – 2018
Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs

Cole Hamels
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
56.44	81	395	394	156	114	3.4	2553	17	7	0	1036	964	710	2415	23.0%	1.17

Andy Pettitte

Age: 23 – 38, 40 -41
Years: 1995 – 2010, 2012 – 2013
Teams: New York Yankees, Houston Astros

Andy Pettitte
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
60.94	86	531	521	256	153	3.85	3316	26	4	0	1572	1418	1031	2448	17.4%	1.350

Frank Tanana

Age: 19 – 39
Years: 1973 – 1993
Teams: California Angels, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, New York Yankees

Frank Tanana
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
57.51	94	638	616	240	236	3.66	4188.1	143	34	1	1910	1704	1255	2773	15.7%	1.269

Wes Ferrell

Age: 19 – 33
Years: 1927 – 1941
Teams: Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Washingotn Senators, New York Yankees, Brooklyn Dodgers, Boston Braves

Wes Ferrell
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
48.84	87	374	323	193	128	4.04	2623	227	17	13	1382	1177	1040	985	8.5%	1.481

Dizzy Dean

Age: 20, 22 – 31, 37
Years: 1930, 1932 – 1941, 1947
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Browns

Dizzy Dean
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
42.66	77	317	230	150	83	3.02	1967.1	154	26	30	774	661	453	1163	14.2%	1.205

Mark Langston

Age: 23 – 38
Years: 1984 – 1999
Teams: Seattle Mariners, Montreal Expos, California Angels, San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians

Mark Langston
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
50.3	93	457	428	179	158	3.97	2963	81	18	0	1438	1306	1289	2464	19.6%	1.354

Frank Viola

Age: 22 – 36
Years: 1982 – 1996
Teams: Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays

Frank Viola
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
47.36	90	421	420	176	150	3.73	2836.1	74	16	0	1303	1175	864	1844	15.5%	1.301

Sam McDowell

Age: 18 – 32
Years: 1961 – 1975
Teams: Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates

Sam McDowell
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
42.94	90	425	346	141	134	3.17	2492.1	103	23	14	999	879	1312	2453	23.2%	1.308

Felix Hernandez

Age: 19 – 33
Years: 2005 – 2019
Teams: Seattle Mariners

Felix Hernandez
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
50.2	84	419	418	169	136	3.42	2729.2	25	11	0	1157	1037	805	2524	22.4%	1.21

Cliff Lee

Age: 23 – 35
Years: 2002 – 2014
Teams: Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers

Cliff Lee
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
43.28	84	328	324	143	91	3.52	2156.2	29	12	0	923	843	464	1824	20.5%	1.196

Don Sutton

Age: 21 – 43
Years: 1966 – 1988
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, California Angels

Don Sutton
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
68.67	92	774	756	324	256	3.26	5282	178	58	5	2104	1914	1343	3574	16.5%	1.142

Jerry Koosman

Age: 24 – 42
Years: 1967 – 1985
Teams: New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies

Jerry Koosman
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
57.06	91	612	527	222	209	3.36	3839.1	140	33	17	1608	1433	1198	2556	16.0%	1.258

Mark Buehrle

Age: 21 – 36
Years: 2000 – 2015
Teams: Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays

Mark Buehrle
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
59.18	87	518	493	214	160	3.81	3283.1	33	10	0	1542	1391	734	1870	13.6%	1.281

Whitey Ford

Age: 21, 24 – 38
Years: 1950, 1953 – 1967
Teams: New York Yankees

Whitey Ford
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
53.89	75	498	438	236	106	2.75	3170.1	156	45	10	1107	967	1086	1956	15.0%	1.215

Jimmy Key

Age: 23 – 37
Years: 1984 – 1998
Teams: Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles

Jimmy Key
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
49.38	82	470	389	186	117	3.51	2591.2	34	13	10	1104	1010	668	1538	14.4%	1.229

Orel Hershiser

Age: 24 – 41
Years: 1983 – 2000
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets

Orel Hershiser
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
51.74	89	510	466	204	150	3.48	3130.1	68	25	5	1366	1211	1007	2014	15.3%	1.260

Hippo Vaughn

Age: 20, 22 – 33
Years: 1908, 1910 – 1921
Teams: New York Yankees, Washingotn Senators, Chicago Cubs

Hippo Vaughn
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
46.56	83	390	331	178	137	2.49	2730	215	41	5	1039	754	817	1416	12.1%	1.200

Vida Blue

Age: 19 – 33, 35 – 36
Years: 1969 – 1983, 1985 – 1986
Teams: Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, Kansas City Royals

Vida Blue
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
44.8	92	502	473	209	161	3.27	3343.1	143	37	2	1357	1213	1185	2175	15.7%	1.23

Ted Lyons

Age: 22 – 41, 45
Years: 1923 – 1942, 1946
Teams: Chicago White Sox

Ted Lyons
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
67.15	85	594	484	260	230	3.67	4161	356	27	23	2056	1696	1121	1073	6.0%	1.348

Jacob deGrom

Age: 26 – 31
Years: 2014 – 2019
Teams: New York Mets

Jacob deGrom
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
32.7	68	171	171	66	49	2.62	1101.2	3	1	0	350	321	266	1255	28.6%	1.05

Lefty Gomez

Age: 21 – 34
Years: 1930 – 1943
Teams: New York Yankees, Washingotn Senators

Lefty Gomez
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
43.07	79	368	320	189	102	3.34	2503	173	28	9	1091	930	1095	1468	13.7%	1.352

Dwight Gooden

Age: 19 – 29, 31 – 35
Years: 1984 – 1994, 1996 – 2000
Teams: New York Mets, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Dwight Gooden
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
48.18	90	430	410	194	112	3.51	2800.2	68	24	3	1198	1091	954	2293	19.6%	1.256

Tommy John

Age: 20 – 31, 33 – 46
Years: 1963 – 1974, 1976 – 1989
Teams: Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, California Angels, Oakland Athletics

Tommy John
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
62.31	90	760	700	288	231	3.34	4710.1	162	46	4	2017	1749	1259	2245	11.4%	1.282

Corey Kluber

Age: 25 – 33
Years: 2011 – 2019
Teams: Cleveland Indians

Corey Kluber
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
33.2	75	208	203	98	58	3.16	1341.2	17	7	0	518	471	292	1461	27.1%	1.09

Mickey Lolich

Age: 22 – 35, 37 – 38
Years: 1963 – 1976, 1978 – 1979
Teams: Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, San Diego Padres

Mickey Lolich
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
47.9	96	586	496	217	191	3.44	3638.1	195	41	10	1537	1390	1099	2832	18.7%	1.23

Larry Jackson

Age: 24 – 37
Years: 1955 – 1968
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies

Larry Jackson
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
52.52	90	558	429	194	183	3.4	3262.2	149	37	20	1405	1233	824	1709	12.6%	1.235

Jon Lester

Age: 22 – 35
Years: 2006 – 2019
Teams: Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs,

Jon Lester
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
45.9	83	412	411	190	108	3.56	2537.2	15	4	0	1096	1005	820	2355	22.2%	1.26

Steve Rogers

Age: 23 – 35
Years: 1973 – 1985
Teams: Montreal Expos

Steve Rogers
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
45.34	87	399	393	158	152	3.18	2837.2	129	37	2	1122	1001	876	1621	13.9%	1.231

Dizzy Trout

Age: 24 – 37, 42
Years: 1939 – 1952, 1957
Teams: Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles

Dizzy Trout
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
46.1	81	521	322	170	161	3.23	2725.2	158	28	35	1166	979	1046	1256	10.8%	1.352

Babe Adams

Age: 24 – 25, 27 – 34, 36 – 44
Years: 1906 – 1907, 1909 – 1916, 1918 – 1926
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates

Babe Adams
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
49.52	86	482	355	194	140	2.76	2995.1	206	44	15	1129	917	430	1036	7.0%	1.092

Jon Matlack

Age: 21 – 33
Years: 1971 – 1983
Teams: New York Mets, Texas Rangers

Jon Matlack
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
38.9	87	361	318	125	126	3.18	2363	97	30	3	970	835	638	1516	15.5%	1.23

Brad Radke

Age: 22 – 33
Years: 1995 – 2006
Teams: Minnesota Twins

Brad Radke
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
45.6	89	378	377	148	139	4.22	2451	37	10	0	1233	1150	445	1467	14.3%	1.26

Brandon Webb

Age: 24 – 30
Years: 2003 – 2009
Teams: Arizona Diamondbacks

Brandon Webb
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
33.29	72	199	198	87	62	3.27	1319.2	15	8	0	557	479	435	1065	19.3%	1.239

Jack Chesbro

Age: 25 – 35
Years: 1899 – 1909
Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Highlanders, Boston Red Sox

Jack Chesbro
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
42.3	90	392	332	198	132	2.68	2896.2	260	35	5	1206	864	690	1265		1.15

Jim Kaat

Age: 20 – 44
Years: 1959 – 1983
Teams: Washington Senators / Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals

Jim Kaat
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
45.2	93	898	625	283	237	3.45	4530.1	180	31	17	2038	1738	1083	2461	12.9%	1.26

Kenny Rogers

Age: 24 – 43
Years: 1989 – 2008
Teams: Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers

Kenny Rogers
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
50.5	93	762	474	219	156	4.27	3302.2	36	9	28	1739	1568	1175	1968	13.8%	1.40

Jose Rijo

Age: 19 – 30, 36 – 37
Years: 1984 – 1995, 2001 – 2002
Teams: New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Cincinnati Reds

Jose Rijo
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
35.0	83	376	269	116	91	3.24	1880	22	4	3	772	676	663	1606	20.4%	1.26

Wilbur Cooper

Age: 20 – 34
Years: 1912 – 1926
Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers

Wilbur Cooper
WAR	ERA-	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	K%	WHIP
49	86	517	408	216	178	2.89	3480	279	35	14	1406	1119	853	1252	8.5%	1.226

Published by Dave Franks

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100 Greatest Players of All-Time, The Lists

Addie Joss, Andy Pettitte, Babe Adams, Bert Blyleven, Billy Pierce, Bob Feller, Bob Gibson, Brandon Webb, Bret Saberhagen, Bucky Walters, Carl Hubbell, CC Sabathia, Chris Sale, Christy Mathewson, Chuck Finley, Clayton Kershaw, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Curt Schilling, Cy Young, Dave Stieb, David Cone, Dazzy Vance, Dizzy Dean, Dizzy Trout, Don Drysdale, Don Sutton, Dutch Leonard, Dwight Gooden, Ed Walsh, Eddie Cicotte, Eddie Plank, Eppa Rixey, Felix Hernandez, Fergie Jenkins, Frank Tanana, Frank Viola, Gaylord Perry, Greg Maddux, Hal Newhouser, Harry Brecheen, Hippo Vaughn, Jack Quinn, Jerry Koosman, Jim Bunning, Jim Palmer, Jimmy Key, Joe McGinnity, Johan Santana, John Smoltz, Juan Marichal, Justin Verlander, Kevin Appier, Kevin Brown, Kid Nichols, Larry Jackson, Lefty Gomez, Lefty Grove, Luis Tiant, Mark Buehrle, Mark Langston, Max Scherzer, Mel Harder, Mike Mussina, Mordecai Brown, Nap Rucker, Nolan Ryan, Noodles Hahn, Orel Hershiser, Pedro Martinez, Pete Alexander, Phil Niekro, Randy Johnson, Red Faber, Red Ruffing, Rick Reuschel, Robin Roberts, Roger Clemens, Ron Guidry, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Rube Waddell, Sam McDowell, Sandy Koufax, Stan Coveleski, Steve Carlton, Steve Rogers, Ted Lyons, Tim Hudson, Tom Glavine, Tom Seaver, Tommy Bridges, Tommy John, Urban Shocker, Vic Willis, Walter Johnson, Warren Spahn, Wes Ferrell, Whitey Ford, Wilbur Cooper, Zack Greinke

9 Comments »

Max Foobar says:

June 6, 2019 at 10:02 pm

Here’s a fun guessing game. Try and find the greatest southpaw pitcher of the modern era. Do you think Sandy Koufax in the top 10? Strike 1! Top 20? Strike 2! Top 30? Swing-and-a-miss, take a seat! So Sandy Koufax ranks BELOW such all-time greats as Mike Messina and Kevin Brown??

I’m not wasting any more time on this site. Adios!

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Dan Holmes says:

September 5, 2019 at 2:39 pm

I admire anyone who has the guts to out together a thoughtful list of the 100 greatest players of all-time. It’s easy to criticize the list, but very hard to create them. I know this from experience.

I’m curious how you defined your criteria? Did you place an emphasis more on peak performance or career value? For example, you have Ed Walsh, who only made about 300 starts, ahead of Warren Spahn and Robin Roberts, two great pitchers who started more than 600 games. But on the other hand, you have Gaylord Perry ahead of Bob Feller. Clearly, to my most people, Feller had a much higher peak than Perry. He was also robbed of his prime years due to WWII. Did you make adjustments for any of that?

Thanks for publishing these lists.

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Joe Eshleman says:

June 22, 2020 at 4:30 pm

This was a near perfect list. I think the top three are the top three provided only that Clemens was legal. Their consistent dominance thru their careers is unsurpassed.. All three reinvented themselves and were just crazy dominant.after they had short lapses.

My only criticism is with a sympathy for the guy who was upset with Sandy Koufax’s position. I think he should have been top 15 on the shear dominance of his peak; but don’t try and compare him with Lefty because Lefty wins that across the board and has two peaks of over 40 WAR. Grove even had a higher strikeout to walk ratio controlled for era and a better spg average compared to league (relative spg).

All the way through the list pitchers were about where they should have been. I think Sudden Sam McDowell was 70th and the biggest disappointment of what could have been in MLB history.

This was a scholarly list with most of the over-rated pitchers where they should have been.

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Art Barton says:

August 26, 2020 at 1:46 am

Tom Seaver was equal or more dominant up to age 34 than Clemens, the age when steroids started giving Clemens the relative advantage in maintaining his peak. And Seaver was more durable and just as dominant as the great Pedro Martinez. Seaver finished far more games, pitching more frequently, which contributes heavily to his higher WAR than Martinez. No qualms with Randy Johnson ranking, but Seaver is about equal to him.

And Warren Spahn , who pitched well into the 1960’s, so I remember him vividly, as I’m almost 70 and was glued to baseball starting in 1960, was right there with Seaver and Johnson. He was called the “the great” for good reason. 363 wins in an era when baseball attracted the best athletes in the country, was very similar later eras in style of play. So either Seaver orJohnson ranking 2 and 3, Clemens deserves top 10 for his early to mid career dominance, probably unjuiced, but hard to separate when the extra edge kicked in, and Spahn is ahead of Martinez in the top 6. And a shout out to Greg Maddox for making it look so easy for so long to frustrate most hitters most of the time.

As for Koufax, best peak years of all time, then chose to retire young. The Jimi Hendrix of pitchers, except Sandy went on to enjoy 53 years
of actual life after retirement, and counting..His starts were an event during those years. It could be a no hitter, a one hitter, or…something else spectacular.

I cannot comment on Lefty Grove or Pete Alexander, even before my time:), but the stats do tell you they were dominant for a very long time. And Walter Johnson was like Babe Ruth in his era, no arguments there. Oh ya, Babe could pitch too.

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- Joseph Eshleman says:
  
  August 27, 2020 at 5:42 pm
  
  Art, remember that in 1969, they voted an all-time All Star team. And the right-handed pitcher was Walter Johnson, and the lefty was Lefty Grove. Hey, my Baseball Reference page defaults to Sandy Koufax, and I know your feeling because I started obsessing over baseball in 1959, the last time for more than 30 years that my Cleveland Indians were a good team. I am 71, and the last 25 year have been good to the Indians even though they have not won the ring.
  
  But in 69 Spahn and Koufax were pretty fresh in everybody’s memories. And I asked my dad, who was 55 at the time, why Koufax was not the starter on the all time team, and he said that Sandy Koufax was a great pitcher but that he could not wear Grove’s jock. My dad watched Lefty open old Cleveland Municipal Stadium before a sell out crowd against the Indians ace Mel Harder and beat Harder 1-0 in 1932. Recently I examined that assertion because Koufax (the guy my Baseball Reference page defaults to) was awfully good.
  
  I found out this basic stuff:in five years from 1928 to 1932, Grove was 128-33; he pitched 1408.1 innings. He struck out 925 batters for a spg average of 5.91. Meanwhile, Sandy between 1962-66 had a record was 111-34 in 1377 innings. He struck out 1444 batters for a 9.44 average. But from 1928-32 the mean AL strikeout average was 3.15; in the NL from 1962-66 it was 5.77. In Groves era, it was considered a mortal sin to strikeout. In the late forties and fifties guys like Ralph Kiner, Eddie Mathews and Ted Kluzewski discovered if you hit home runs, it did not matter if you struck out, so they hit home runs and struck out more. Grove actually had a better relative spg than Koufax, 5.91/3.15=1.88. Koufax had 9.44/5.77=1.64
  
  I did a break down of lots of things, and Grove consistently comes in second to Johnson, just ahead of Roger Clemens. I use rWAR which is runs per game allowed not fWAR which is what Fanagraph’s uses that is dependent on DIP (Defense Independent Pitching). So doing that, the only area where Koufax has a chance, is peak pitching because of his
  relatively short career. I used Grove from 1929-33 where he had a WAR of 46 and a 128-33 record. I used Koufax from 1962-66 where he had a 40.7 WAR and a 111-34 record. Grove tied Pedro Martinez for the second best peak with a value of 185; Walter Johnson demolished everybody with a 195 from 1910-14. Sandy finished 14th with a 158 score.
  
  Sandy was a great pitcher, but he had two maybe three advantages. He was the best pitcher in one of the best pitching periods in baseball history. He also pitched in the most pitcher friendly park in the MLB (park factor .91). Lefty Grove pitched in two hitter friendly parks: Shibe Park and Fenway Park (park factor 1.02.2). Consider this: Lefty Grove won four ERA titles in five years pitching in Fenway Park as a left-handed pitcher with the Green Monster looming behind him. Another great lefty, Lefty Gomez,said that when he pitched in Fenway, he prepared for the game by standing in a phone booth for a couple of hours.
  
  Anyway, I was gratified to find your response up there and I thought that I would write something. Have a good day.
  
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Anonymous says:

October 15, 2020 at 12:39 pm

the hole thing was worng

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- Anonymous says:
  
  November 26, 2020 at 1:18 pm
  
  What was wrong with it?
  
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Brian Joe Short says:

November 17, 2020 at 8:56 am

You don’t think Phil Niekro is in your top 100?

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- Joe Eshleman says:
  
  November 20, 2020 at 5:03 pm
  
  I looked at the list, and you are right. Phil should probably have been in the top 25. From 1974-78 he had a WAR of 40.2, and only about 20 pitchers since 1901 have achieved that number. And he was 11th in career WAR. Yeah, they really missed with him, and I did not see it. I was so impressed that they got the top three right and put Sandy Koufax and Nolan Ryan in reasonable historical perspective. Missed that though. Thanks
  
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100 Greatest Starting Pitchers of All-Time

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Published by Dave Franks

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Ranked in the top 100 Best Baseball Blogs As Ranked by Feedspot

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Ranked in the top 100 Best Baseball Blogs As Ranked by Feedspot

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