Is Sandy Koufax a Top 3 Pitcher of All-Time, Based on Actual Results

[da55bums]

I don't know, it's hard to say. It seems like it wasn't that uncommon for batters to hit .400 back then. It was a different game back then and hard to really quantify. You have guys like Walter Johnson and Pete Alexander that really dropped off after the 1920 season though.

I'm one of the younger posters here, and I tend to give the more modern players more of the benefit of the doubt than I do the pre integration players, especially those in the deadball era and those that played before the turn of the century.

the game was the same, all players started to just devote more time to their craft, didn't work other jobs, started lifting weights, spending more time swinging the bat. they just learned more or evolved if you will.

I believe it was a "dead ball era" because the pitchers had a huge advantage over the guy working on the farm during the day.

 

[Chewbaccer]

the game was the same, all players started to just devote more time to their craft, didn't work other jobs, started lifting weights, spending more time swinging the bat. they just learned more or evolved if you will.

I believe it was a "dead ball era" because the pitchers had a huge advantage over the guy working on the farm during the day.

That was part of, but a lot of it was the actual ball itself.

"Teams played in spacious ball parks that limited hitting for power, and, compared to modern baseballs, the ball used then was "dead" both by design and from overuse."

 

[JohnU]

That was part of, but a lot of it was the actual ball itself.

"Teams played in spacious ball parks that limited hitting for power, and, compared to modern baseballs, the ball used then was "dead" both by design and from overuse."

The spitball was a big dealbreaker for hitters who had to use bottle bats. The pitchers used to scuff the ball, use corny motions and deceptions. Intimidation was a big part of it. Fielders wore gloves barely larger than their hands, and the fields were not even close to as well manicured as the average suburban front yard. The so-called batter's eye was more a rumor than a fact.
It is a wonder more guys than Ray Chapman didn't die. The helmet was worn by soldiers, not ballplayers.
Still, pitchers threw 400 pitches a week.

 

[da55bums]

Kofax faced some great hitters and had more Ks than innings pitched. Randy Johnson more K's than innings pitched and pitched against PED users without being linked to them himself. and Clayton Kershaw is getting close to being there if his arm doesn't fall off.

While Mariano Rivera could have pitched til he was 50 if he didn't make so much money.

 

[navamind]

Not dominant long enough. 5-6 good years (albeit historically good) and a bunch of meh.