ASNN

where does he rank

A common argument being debated on various ESPN talk shows is whether or not Clemens is the best pitcher in the past N years (where N is generally 50). My immediate reaction was to say, "No." But that's probably for other reasons - as I thought about it more, I realized it could be possible.

Some arguments for:

• 6 Cy Young awards over 15 years. As some have said, they're going to have to rename it the Roger Clemens.
  
• 6 time single-season ERA leader over 12 years.
  
• Second-most strikeouts all-time.
  
• Third-highest winning percentage all-time among 300-game winners. (Heard this one, unverified.)
  
• Shares the single game lead with 20 strikeouts. He did it twice... ten years apart.

And possibly the best argument:

• He has played his entire career in the most notorious live-ball era. He came into the league just a few years before the most explosive year in batting to date (1987) and has played through the ridiculous hitting years since. Yet throughout these live years for batters, he has maintained a very good ERA and W-L record.

Some against:

• He is not nearly as dominant in postseason play, with an 8-6 record and 3.47 ERA.
  
• He is a big whiner. This isn't a statistical argument, but more of a preference for athletes who aren't prima donnas.

There really isn't much to argue against Clemens. Instead, we have to see if there are other better pitchers in the past 50 years.

• Tom Seaver - 500 more innings, complete games (twice as many), and shutouts in the same 20 years. Lower career ERA. Seaver is about Clemens' equal without all of the tantrums and about half the number of hit batsmen. (Not that HBP are all bad...)
  
• Sandy Koufax - Nearly as many shutouts and more complete games in only 12 years (versus Clemens' 20). Posted a career 0.95 ERA in 7 World Series starts, including 4 complete games and 2 shutouts. The most dominant pitcher in his time, or possibly any time, his career was cut short by arm troubles.
  
• Warren Spahn (a bit of a cheat, since he started about 60 years ago) - over twice as many 20-win seasons, lower career ERA, 3x as many career complete games, 29 career saves (showing versatility) to Clemens' 0, 35 career home runs *hit*. Probably more consistent than dominant.
  
• Nolan Ryan - same career ERA as Clemens in over 200 more career games, an unreachable 5714 career strikeouts, 7 career no-hitters. A good rebuttal to Ryan found at the end of this article.

There are other good pitchers to consider, but the question isn't about a good pitcher, but a dominant pitcher. A great pitcher that inspires fear in batters for years and years. By that definition, Clemens HAS to be among the very best the game as ever seen. As he has gotten older, he has learned a devastating split-finger pitch, all while his fastball is still in the mid-90s.

True, he doesn't pitch late into games or throw complete games much anymore, but that's as much a function of the game. The idea of setup men and closers is much more prevalent in today's game than it was in the 50s and 60s.

Everything else plays to his advantage: the wins, the ERA, the strikeouts, the Cy Youngs, the World Series rings. True, he may be a traitor, and I may be bitter that he's so good *outside* of a Red Sox uniform. But he really is that good irrespective of the uniform.

Posted by pcg at May 6, 2004 8:00 PM