My nomination (Best Pitcher)
By: Single LMore data and arguments in support of my nomination:
Maddux posted the best strikeout-to-walk ratio ever (8.85 in 1997; 7.87 in 1995). Koufax, who is second in the category, topped out at 5.38 in 1965.
The only fair way to assess ERAs is to compare a pitcher's ERA to his league's ERA during the same period. By this measure, Maddux owns the top two spots of all time. In 1994, his ERA was 1.56 and the league's was 4.21, a differential of -2.65. In 1995, Maddux's differential was -2.55. In third place is Doc Gooden (-2.06 in 1985). Koufax's best was 1.88; Gibson's was 1.87.
Gibson posted a lower single-season ERA than any of Maddux's (1.12 in 1968), but that was the last season before the pitching mound was lowered. In 1968, Carl Yastrzemski led the American League with a batting average of .301.
Nominating Maddux should not imply a lack of regard for the great players of the past. But I agree with George Will (citing Stephen J. Gould): while the very best players of today are probably not much different from the very best players of yesterday, the average player of today is better. Training is better, nutrition is better, and the players work harder in the off season. MLB today also draws on a much broader pool of talent than it did 50 years ago, before MLB included the best African American players as well as the best from Latin America and Japan. Because the difference between the star and the average player is less today, it is much more difficult for any player to dominate. This creates the illusion, Will says, that today's stars are less great--that McGuire and Griffey are good but they're not as great as Babe Ruth, that Maddux is good but he's no Walter Johnson. I agree with Will. And I think the amazing thing about Maddux is that he does dominate, even in an era when the hitter is king.
Greg Maddux. Four Cy Young awards. Career win percentage (as of last year) .630 (.655 for Koufax, .526 for Ryan). Career ERA (at the end of last year) of 2.80 (2.76 for Koufax, 3.19 for Ryan). At the moment, his ERA is 1.54, his record is 12-2, opponents are hitting .209 against him (lowest of all pitchers in today's All Star Game), and he's pitched four shutouts (leading the majors). Only issued 14 unintentional walks last season. Averages fewer than 51 walks per season (100 for Ryan, 68 for Koufax). Statistically, Koufax has a slight edge, but his career was finished after 12 years. Maddux seems to be reaching his prime. And if you eliminate Maddux' years with the woeful Cubs and compare his record with the Braves to Koufax's record with the Dodgers, Maddux has the edge. He is also pitching against bigger, stronger hitters in an era when the top of the zone is at the belt, not the letters. It's likely that Koufax's big curveball and high heat would mostly be neutralized by the lower zone, today.
Defense? Has anyone ever fielded his position better than Maddux? He routinely wins the Gold Glove award. He bunts as well as any pitcher I've ever seen, and his batting average, at the moment usually is better than a lot of 7- and 8-hole hitters.
Work ethic? He throws daily, takes extra batting practice, and memorizes the tendencies of opposing hitters. By all accounts, he works harder on the mental aspects of the game than any pitcher in memory.
Gibson, Koufax, Ryan--all great, great pitchers with overpowering stuff. Maddux doesn't have to overpower anyone. He beats you with mental, physical, and emotional precision: complete command.