If you had One Game To Save Your Life...

[StanMarsh51]

Interesting to note that RJ got better as he got deeper into the postseason:

LDS - 4.85 ERA
LCS - 1.72 ERA
WS - 1.04 ERA

 

[msgkings322]

The only reasonable answer to this is Sandy Koufax, the original Kershaw.

 

[calsnowskier]

The only reasonable answer to this is Sandy Koufax, the original Kershaw.

That's what I was thinking, but I never saw him pitch. Also, I am not sure any of the "Old-Schoolers" would be able to compete in today's game. Too much specialization and 12-month long seasons (training-wise).

If we are talking RIGHT NOW, I think you can really only look at 3 names...

Kershaw
Hernandez
Bumgarner

Kershaw is an absolute beast, but the few times he has been tested under the big lights, he has faltered. Is that SSS, or a characteristic?

Hernandez has not been tested on the big stage, so it is tough to know about him.

Bum, while arguably not quite up to the others big picture, has been tested continually in big games and has a proven track-record for coming through.

 

[Sportsguy9695]

randy Johnson. dude was a beast his whole career

 

[YourFriendGannon]

This is a thread about a hypothetical playoff must win? I thought by 'save your life' it meant like your bookie would murder you if your team lost the game.

 

[steveringo]

I wish he pitched longer. He took a few years to warm up, but was absolutely dominant for 5 years.... Then arthritis (?!) forces him to retire at 30???

I remember Pedro being very proud, when people were comparing his crazy seven year stretch to Koufax. Many pitchers have random insane seasons, but very few string more than a few together like Koufax & Martinez.

From 1997 to 2003, Pedro's adjusted ERA was 213! From 1961 to 1966, Koufax put up an ERA+ of 156...

Comparatively, Kershaw's last four seasons was 172! Maddux from 1992-1998 was 192! Clemens from 1986-1994 was 153. Randy Johnson from 2000-2005 was 159. Halladay from 2005-2011 was 152. Felix Hernandez from 2009-2014 was 141. Kevin Brown from 1996-2001 was 163. Glavine from 1991-1998 was 138...

Finding 'peak' seasons is tough, but finding great pitchers is not. I hope we all realize that we've been able to witness some fantastic pitchers over the past couple decades....

 

[HammerDown]

This

Roy Halladay in his heyday is pretty close too.

Oh man, Halladay was the picture of dominance. As far as delivery, I don't think I'll ever enjoy watching anyone more than Verlander, though the Big Unit was a close second.

 

[StanMarsh51]

I wish he pitched longer. He took a few years to warm up, but was absolutely dominant for 5 years.... Then arthritis (?!) forces him to retire at 30???

I remember Pedro being very proud, when people were comparing his crazy seven year stretch to Koufax. Many pitchers have random insane seasons, but very few string more than a few together like Koufax & Martinez.

From 1997 to 2003, Pedro's adjusted ERA was 213! From 1961 to 1966, Koufax put up an ERA+ of 156...

Comparatively, Kershaw's last four seasons was 172! Maddux from 1992-1998 was 192! Clemens from 1986-1994 was 153. Randy Johnson from 2000-2005 was 159.

.

I would start before 2000 for Johnson's "prime." From 1999-2004, RJ had a 175 ERA+, and if we go back even further, from 1994-2004 his ERA+ was at 170 (a 2300 inning span).

 

[Mistaken4193]

Surprised nobody has said Curt Schilling.

 

[fordman84]

Surprised nobody has said Curt Schilling.

I'm not


I am surprised no one said Roger Clemens. I know he's a schmuck, but if your nuts are on the line...

 

[steveringo]

I would start before 2000 for Johnson's "prime." From 1999-2004, RJ had a 175 ERA+, and if we go back even further, from 1994-2004 his ERA+ was at 170 (a 2300 inning span).

He has had a great career. I think I accidentaly looked at his K totals when picking the years... I clearly clicked on the wrong seasons....

 

[da55bums]

bob gibson

 

[navamind]

Obvious answer to this question is Jack Morris.

 

[gandydancer]

To me era plays part in it. Johnson was dominate and reminds me of the one guy who would still dominate any era of baseball.

Most here never saw the Drysdale's and Koufax's of the world so...

 

[mrwallace2ku]

Who are you putting on the Mound?????

For Myself I would put Randy Johnson out there. He had the nastiest Slider known to man and I saw him pitch a perfect game in person and he was incredible. Plus he was clutch in the Postseason.

The guy on the bump tonight for the G-men. Flat out as nasty as they come.

 

[HammerDown]

The guy on the bump tonight for the G-men. Flat out as nasty as they come.

So if your life depended on it and you had to choose one pitcher, you'd choose Madison Bumgarner?

 

[steveringo]

To me era plays part in it. Johnson was dominate and reminds me of the one guy who would still dominate any era of baseball.

Most here never saw the Drysdale's and Koufax's of the world so...

That is why they created ERA+. You can better compare players from different eras.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

The guy on the bump tonight for the G-men. Flat out as nasty as they come.

Hmmm....

Hopefully that isn't a home game

 

[msgkings322]

So if your life depended on it and you had to choose one pitcher, you'd choose Madison Bumgarner?

He's a Pirates fan...it's understandable (this year).

Also, awesome gif...

 

[calsnowskier]

So if your life depended on it and you had to choose one pitcher, you'd choose Madison Bumgarner?

If we are talking about now, he certainly makes the short list (see my earlier post).

If we are talking all-time, I agree, he isn't there yet.