there are no wrong answers, this is opinion-based; here’s mine:
1. Walter (Big Train) Johnson - Given nickname BT because that’s the what his fastball sounded like (many batters said they couldn’t see it, they just heard it) he threw at least 100 mph, sidearm pitcher; 417-279 record; 2.17 era; 3509 strikeouts. He wouldn’t pitch inside to RH batters for fear he would kill someone.
2. Christy Mathewson - He was a great control pitcher, the Gregg Maddux of his day; 373-188; 2.13; 2507 strikeouts.
3. Greg Maddux - Great control, he was always a pitch or two ahead of the batter; 355-227; 3.16; 3371 strikeouts.
4. Bob Gibson - Possibly the most fierce competitor and intimidator on the mound, great control and great speed; 251-174; 2.91; 3117 strikeouts; RH batters hit just .204 against BG, lifetime!
5. Pedro Martinez - The magician; 219-100; 2.93; 3154 strikeouts.
A good argument can be made for ranking Gibson above Maddux, but a lot of weight has to be given to GM’s 355 wins compared to BG’s 251.
HONORABLE MENTION: Grover Cleveland Alexander, Cy Young (No. 1 on some lists), Nolan Ryan (probably the greatest strikeout pitcher and flamethrower ever, but he leads MLB in walks, 2795, and 3.19 era has to be considered), Tom Seaver (vastly underrated), and Satchel Paige ( some say he was the greatest all-time, but because of segregation, he didn’t get to pitch in MLB until he was 42 years old and won a number of games then).
I did not consider Roger Clements because of steroids. Also, I did not consider current pitchers.
1. Walter (Big Train) Johnson - Given nickname BT because that’s the what his fastball sounded like (many batters said they couldn’t see it, they just heard it) he threw at least 100 mph, sidearm pitcher; 417-279 record; 2.17 era; 3509 strikeouts. He wouldn’t pitch inside to RH batters for fear he would kill someone.
2. Christy Mathewson - He was a great control pitcher, the Gregg Maddux of his day; 373-188; 2.13; 2507 strikeouts.
3. Greg Maddux - Great control, he was always a pitch or two ahead of the batter; 355-227; 3.16; 3371 strikeouts.
4. Bob Gibson - Possibly the most fierce competitor and intimidator on the mound, great control and great speed; 251-174; 2.91; 3117 strikeouts; RH batters hit just .204 against BG, lifetime!
5. Pedro Martinez - The magician; 219-100; 2.93; 3154 strikeouts.
A good argument can be made for ranking Gibson above Maddux, but a lot of weight has to be given to GM’s 355 wins compared to BG’s 251.
HONORABLE MENTION: Grover Cleveland Alexander, Cy Young (No. 1 on some lists), Nolan Ryan (probably the greatest strikeout pitcher and flamethrower ever, but he leads MLB in walks, 2795, and 3.19 era has to be considered), Tom Seaver (vastly underrated), and Satchel Paige ( some say he was the greatest all-time, but because of segregation, he didn’t get to pitch in MLB until he was 42 years old and won a number of games then).
I did not consider Roger Clements because of steroids. Also, I did not consider current pitchers.
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