Reply #10: Yes, he is (possibly). [View All]

>Sandy Koufax (for a few years there...)
Exactly right. For a few years ('62-'66), he was nigh well unhittable. For the first half of his career, he was an average pitcher. He was also helped by the Dodger Stadium ground crew making that mound super high.

>Steve Carlton
In his best years ('69, '72, '77, '80, and '81), he was great. Otherwise, he was a hair above average for a long time.

>Greg Maddux
Close. Clemens has pitched at pretty much the same level of effectiveness for a little longer. If Maddux puts together two more years at his career norm, it'll be a virtual tie; but Clemens has the edge for now.

>Nolan Ryan
Ryan could do one thing better than anybody: strike out batters. Actually, he could do another thing at an unparalleled level: walk batters. On the whole, Ryan was very good for very long, and deserves his spot in the Hall. He is not, however, even in the top TEN of the past 40 years.

>Tom Seaver
A very good argument can be made for Seaver. To my mind, he is Clemens' only LEGITIMATE challenger for the title.

>Sid Finch
Hee hee hee.

>Bob Gibson
Fewer innings pitched than Clemens, he also benefitted from playing in the most heavily-tilted pitcher's era since the 1910s. Great pitcher, but not the greatest.

>Jim Palmer
Great pitcher whose reputation is enhanced by the fact that he played on some great teams (and appeared in ads in his skivvies). His career ERA, adjusted for park effects, was 25% better than the league average. Clemens' is 42% better.