Picture an old man (by the game's standard), a pitcher coming into the twilight of his career. He is 37 years old, two seasons away from retirement. Playing with the kiddies of the sport, he manages to win 20 games, which today is the mark of excellence--seasons go by occasionally with no 20 game winners. This gentleman went 20-7 on the season; quite respectable numbers. He only struck out 108 batters, but this was of course in his decline, but he walked only 78, which is still forty less than he struck out. He started 30 games and completed 16 of them, more than half, which is pretty much unthinkable nowadays.
Here he is at 37 years old, winning 20 major league games, throwing 16 for complete games. Crazy. But what really caught my attention was this: he hit, as batters were wont to do before the designated hitter rule, but not just a little, he hit with authority, smacking the ball at a .433 average. He even had two homeruns, which was more than his team's starting catcher and shortstop.
A 37 year-old, winning 20 games, having 16 complete games, hitting .433 over the season. Then I noticed that for his hitting stats that he had played in 36 games. This means that he was used as a pinch-hitter six separate times over the season, in the 9th inning, as he didn't go back into the field. I guess if I had an old man who could hit like that, I'd have to use him as a pinch hitter as well.
A 37 year-old pitcher, winning 20 games, finishing 16, hitting .433 and pinch hitting occasionally? I don't know about you, and I'm not being facetious, but that almost sounds like it could be the best pitcher ever.
Here's his picture.
Turns out it was the Best Pitcher Ever. Crazy how that works out sometimes. Walter Johnson won 417 games in his career (2nd most ever), had 110 shutouts (most ever), and when he retired, he had more strikeouts than anybody, by almost a thousand. It took 55 years for Nolan Ryan and Steve Carlton to break the strikeout record, in the same season. He was also probably the best hitting pitcher, besides Babe Ruth. (I know how you feel about Sandy, mom, but this guy?)
I am a fan of Sandy but truth be told he was a brillant star that burned out fairly quickly... he was wild when he finally figured out how to throw he was amazing... Walter on the other hand figured out how to handle the whippersappers.... he deserves all the alcolades he gets...
ReplyDeleteWho won the most games? Being one of those who doesn't know stats or even follows baseball...
ReplyDeleteDaniel
The pitcher who won the most games is Cy Young, at 511. I guess that's why they call it the Cy Young award. When Cy started pitching, the mound was at 50 feet away and your team had either two or three pitchers.
ReplyDeleteCy Young also has the most losses ever, as that happens when you make 50 or 60 starts a season, and get decisions for all of them. He was a good, reliable pitcher, generally consistent, but not quite as dominant for as long as Walter Johnson.