Greatest pitcher of all time

[GNG]

Sad that Satchel Paige made it to the Major Leagues when he was past his prime.

 

[Guy Incognito]

Are you kidding, that bird killer. That's his legacy

You should have used spoiler tags. This post gave @Winged_Wheel88 PTSD flashbacks.

 

[Rock Strongo]

el guapo

 

[Sportsguy9695]

I would say either Pedro Martinez or Randy Johnson. When they were pitching against your team you knew you were in for a tough game

 

[DragonfromTO]

Sad that Satchel Paige made it to the Major Leagues when he was past his prime.

Nah dude Satch was only 30 or so, just ask him

 

[kburjr]

For a 5 year span, I'd put Steve Carlton in there too.

 

[Cedrique]

For a 5 year span, I'd put Steve Carlton in there too.

If we're talking lefties, forget the 5 year span. That guy was a beast with the Phillies for well over a decade. Best 5 year run for a lefty I think was Koufax, although I didn't actually see it so I'm going by stats and reputation I guess.

 

[kburjr]

If we're talking lefties, forget the 5 year span. That guy was a beast with the Phillies for well over a decade. Best 5 year run for a lefty I think was Koufax, although I didn't actually see it so I'm going by stats and reputation I guess.

Yeah. Mine was more for a list.

 

[mall3013]

Randy Johnson or Steve Carlton as far as lefty. This is tough though for GOAT. Can't argue Walter Johnson.

 

[Cedrique]

Yeah. Mine was more for a list.

oh, ok. Well for a 5 year run let me add in Wilbur Wood for honorable mention. 1971-1975 check out his stats. What a monster

 

[The Oldtimer]

Randy Johnson or Steve Carlton as far as lefty. This is tough though for GOAT. Can't argue Walter Johnson.

Sandy Koufax and he had to retire in his prime.

 

[Cedrique]

Randy Johnson or Steve Carlton as far as lefty. This is tough though for GOAT. Can't argue Walter Johnson.

I saw a lot of Carlton's starts and he was probably my favorite pitcher of all time to watch. But Johnson put up some incredible numbers at a time when the league was scoring a lot more runs. I think I have to give the nod to the Unit.

 

[Cedrique]

Sandy Koufax and he had to retire in his prime.

Why did he have to retire?

 

[The Oldtimer]

Why did he have to retire?

1965 seasonEdit
The 1965 season brought more obstacles for Koufax. On March 31, the morning after pitching a complete spring training game, Koufax awoke to find that his entire left arm was black and blue from hemorrhaging. Koufax returned to Los Angeles to consult with Kerlan, who advised Koufax that he would be lucky to be able to pitch once a week. Kerlan also told Koufax that he would eventually lose full use of his arm. Koufax agreed not to throw at all between games—a resolution that lasted only one start. To get himself through the games he pitched in, Koufax resorted to Empirin with codeine for the pain, which he took every night and sometimes during the fifth inning. He also took Butazolidin for inflammation, applied capsaicin-based Capsolin ointment (called "atomic balm" by baseball players) before each game, and soaked his arm in a tub of ice afterwards.

Sandy Koufax - Wikipedia

Despite the constant pain in his pitching elbow, Koufax pitched 335⅔ innings and led the Dodgers to another pennant. He finished the year by winning his second pitchers' Triple Crown, leading the league in wins (26), ERA (2.04) and strikeouts (382; the highest modern day total at the time. Nolan Ryan struck out 383 batters in 1973). Koufax captured his second unanimous Cy Young Award. Koufax held batters to 5.79 hits per nine innings, and allowed the fewest base runners per 9 innings in any season ever: 7.83, breaking his own record (set two years earlier) of 7.96. Koufax had 11-game winning streaks in both 1964 and 1965.[3][69]

 

[mall3013]

I saw a lot of Carlton's starts and he was probably my favorite pitcher of all time to watch. But Johnson put up some incredible numbers at a time when the league was scoring a lot more runs. I think I have to give the nod to the Unit.

I saw Carlton pitch a couple of times at the Vet early 80s. The one game I saw him dominate a good Dodgers lineup. It was Carlton vs Fernando Valenzuela. Great pitchers dual it was.

 

[Chewbaccer]

Koufax had a great peak, but longevity matters.

 

[mall3013]

Sandy Koufax and he had to retire in his prime.

Koufax was great as well. Definitely in the discussion.

 

[The Oldtimer]

Koufax had a great peak, but longevity matters.

Yes you're right.

 

[Chewbaccer]

Koufax was great as well. Definitely in the discussion.

In the discussion for greatest peaks(I don't think his was the best, the runs Maddux and Pedro went on in their peak were more impressive to me because of the far better offenses they were facing), but not in discussion for the best ever. Peaks are very important, but longevity matters.

 

[The Oldtimer]

Koufax had a great peak, but longevity matters.

Sandy Koufax - Wikipedia