I’m biased towards Jim Palmer, mainly because he had Earl Weaver as his manager for most of his career. “The only thing Earl knows about pitching is he couldn’t hit it” is one of the greatest baseball quotes of all time!
Great list, but I saw both live and I would swap places for Ryan and Johnson. Ryan is somehow underrated relative to what he accomplished. Having said that, I remember watching Gibson and was told by my father he had suffered from severe asthma and breathing difficulties. I couldn't believe it...but the Primatene Mist ads proved it. That counted for me. I've been biased in favor of Bob since.
I am not a young nerd salivating to tell people that some random pitcher from the Braves is better than Nolan Ryan: but it must be said that Nolan Ryan was a pitcher of immense strengths and weaknesses. He is the all time leader in strikeouts, and the all time leader in walks. Neither record is particularly close. Ryan, in many ways, was unhittable at his best, but he was also wild and threw a ton of wild pitches. He's clearly one of the best ever, but I am skeptical he's top 10.
So tough with these lists when crossing different “eras” y’know. Love the analysis.
I must say though! I believe Pedro is the best of all time, coming from a Yankee fan. The era he was in was so hitter friendly and he was just flat out dominant.
Somewhat related…Jane Levy’s book “A Lefty’s Legacy” about Sandy Koufax is one of the best books I have ever read. For anybody who was not lucky enough to see him pitch (or for those who were) it is an incredible portrait of an amazing athlete
Hers's the thing, they have been playing baseball for like 135 years and if you are going to pick the top 10 that is extremely difficult. No way you are going to make everyone happy.
If you're excluding Clemens because of the steroid accusations, fine - that's your prerogative (even if II'd disagree). But you should say so, because otherwise this list just looks ridiculous without him.
Interesting to see Seaver and Mathewson next to each other, I remember Keith Olbermann in his blog comparing the two many years ago, he noticed how Mathewson's pitching stance in old pictures was nearly identical to Seaver's.
I can't spew out any stats or anything. Just my opinion; Clayton Kershaw has been nothing but dynamite from day one. Been a Dodger fan for 51 years. I've witnessed Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddox, Orel Hershiser, etc... Kershaw & Johnson always reminded of left handed Nolan Ryan's. Whom I think is the greatest...
Steve Carlton??? Should not only be on this list he should be in the Top 5
I second this comment
I’m biased towards Jim Palmer, mainly because he had Earl Weaver as his manager for most of his career. “The only thing Earl knows about pitching is he couldn’t hit it” is one of the greatest baseball quotes of all time!
Lefty Grove is conspicuous by his absence here, though he has a legitimate case as the best pitcher of all-time.
Great list, but I saw both live and I would swap places for Ryan and Johnson. Ryan is somehow underrated relative to what he accomplished. Having said that, I remember watching Gibson and was told by my father he had suffered from severe asthma and breathing difficulties. I couldn't believe it...but the Primatene Mist ads proved it. That counted for me. I've been biased in favor of Bob since.
Solid list. A few notables I expected to see include Bob Feller, Warren Spahn and Whitey Ford. Guess we need a Top 20!
Yep, he’s definitely up there. Along with Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddox, Bob Gibson and Pedro Martinez.
Mo belongs in a separate category because he was a reliever.
Roger Clemens?
I am not a young nerd salivating to tell people that some random pitcher from the Braves is better than Nolan Ryan: but it must be said that Nolan Ryan was a pitcher of immense strengths and weaknesses. He is the all time leader in strikeouts, and the all time leader in walks. Neither record is particularly close. Ryan, in many ways, was unhittable at his best, but he was also wild and threw a ton of wild pitches. He's clearly one of the best ever, but I am skeptical he's top 10.
Solid list. I can’t objectively argue with your logic.
So tough with these lists when crossing different “eras” y’know. Love the analysis.
I must say though! I believe Pedro is the best of all time, coming from a Yankee fan. The era he was in was so hitter friendly and he was just flat out dominant.
Love the article man.
Somewhat related…Jane Levy’s book “A Lefty’s Legacy” about Sandy Koufax is one of the best books I have ever read. For anybody who was not lucky enough to see him pitch (or for those who were) it is an incredible portrait of an amazing athlete
You have Nolan Ryan at #9 that is crazy. Seven No-Hitters. Not one, two. Seven.
Hers's the thing, they have been playing baseball for like 135 years and if you are going to pick the top 10 that is extremely difficult. No way you are going to make everyone happy.
If you're excluding Clemens because of the steroid accusations, fine - that's your prerogative (even if II'd disagree). But you should say so, because otherwise this list just looks ridiculous without him.
Interesting to see Seaver and Mathewson next to each other, I remember Keith Olbermann in his blog comparing the two many years ago, he noticed how Mathewson's pitching stance in old pictures was nearly identical to Seaver's.
I can't spew out any stats or anything. Just my opinion; Clayton Kershaw has been nothing but dynamite from day one. Been a Dodger fan for 51 years. I've witnessed Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddox, Orel Hershiser, etc... Kershaw & Johnson always reminded of left handed Nolan Ryan's. Whom I think is the greatest...