Most Dominate Pitching Year In Recent History?

Question

Pedro Martinez in 1999 was about as good as it gets for a pitcher in the MLB. He was 23-4 with a 2.07 ERA, 313 Strike Outs, and his batting average against was only .205. He pitched 5 complete games on his way to easily winning the Cy Young, and nearly winning the MVP.

Yes, these stats are mind boggling, but it gets even more immpressive. His ERA was 2.78 points lower than the league average!! That is the biggest difference in the history of the entire MLB. And does anyone remember his historic performance at the 1999 All Star game in Boston? He struck out Barry Larkin, Larry Walker, and Sammy Sosa to start off the game, setting the record for most strike outs to star an All Star game. Then for good measure, he struck out Mark McGwire, and finished the night having struck out 5 out of 6 batters. And keep in mind, these guys are not bums, they are all stars.

In my mind this is the most dominating pitching performance ever in the MLB. If you know a better one let me hear it.

Answer 1

I agree it would be between Martinez and Maddux (I would have to go with Martinez), but I believe you chose the wrong season for Martinez. In 2000 he had a lower ERA than in 1999 (1.74) with a larger disparity between the league average (difference being 3.17), batting ave against(.167), gave up less hits and BB. He didn't K as many (ONLY 284) and had 5 less wins, but wins can obviously be misleading due to run support.

Bob Gibson did have some amazing seasons, especially in 1968. But that was on a mound that was 5 inches higher and there was four or five other pitchers with an ERA lower that 2.00.

Answer 2

In our recent history, we quite possibly have seen the best pitchers ever. We've been spoiled by the tremendous amount of talent in the game. But the most amazing performance by a pitcher recently was Greg Maddux in 1995. He had two other Hall of Fame pitchers on his team and we easily shined above them. The Atlanta Braves World Series win that year was led by Greg Maddux. He compiled a 19-2 record with a 1.63 ERA. Opponents batted a measely .197 and slugged only .258. Maddux only gave up 147 hits and 23 walks in 209.2 innings. Thats a WHIP of 0.81 compared to Pedro's 0.92 WHIP and .205 opponent batting average. Pedro did have a lot more strike outs but in the end, pitching is about getting outs. No matter how it's done. Did I mention the Gold Glove Maddux won that year along with his Cy Young. Might be running out of room at home. But we can compare numbers all day and we'll never be content with a decision. All we can do is enjoy the game and never forget how lucky we are to see these achievements.

Answer 3

You are absolutely right about the dominating and phenomenal year Pedro had in 1999. The great year Greg Maddux had in 1995 has been mentioned earlier. The only other pitcher I remember having this type of year played in the 60's and as a kid watching baseball on TV, I marvelled at Sandy Koufax of the Dodgers. His season in 1963 was also unforgettable. Koufax went 25-5 with an ERA of 1.88. The Dodgers swept the Yankees in the 1963 WS with Koufax winning 2 games and he was named the WS MVP. He also led the league in ERA from 1962-66. His year in 1964 was a record of 19-5 with an ERA of 1.74. This man was incrediably dominant.

Answer 4

Greg Maddux in 1994. He lead the league in ERA(1.56!!!!), WHIP, Innings pitched, complete games and wins. He followed that up with a 1995 season when he lead the league in the same categories again. Martinez is a great pitcher, but he never pitched as many innings as Maddux was capable of.

For those of you who think Gibson was better, keep in mind that Bob Gibson's season came in a year where the league ERA was just 2.90. Nobody scored runs that year. He also didn't lead the league in innings pitched or complete games. For all the talk about him being dominant and a workhorse, he lead the league in ERA only once and in innings never.

Answer 5

I agree. I have always been a fan of comparing a player's statistic to league average. That stat clearly shows how dominant pedro was. And as for clemens on the astros...come on, the reason he was dominant in the NL was because, duh, the NL sucks and has for a while. Clemens didn't get his team to the WS in 2005 cus the guy only had 13 wins. A player in todays game cant single handedly turn a team around by being "dominant", a player turns his team around by being a leader. And not Gibson either. This is MODERN pitching history, i.e. after the mound height was decreased (1969) and after the strike zone size was decreased.

Answer 6

While that is impressive. I have to say the best I have EVER (in person, or in my life ..i.e. not pre-1985) is Chris Carp. last year. He was unstoppable. He had about 3 iffy performances, the rest were amazing. 21-5, 2.83, 213k's. Did you see him pitch last year, looks the same this year. The team isn't quite as good though.

Answer 7

I have to admit my answer is somewhat slanted in that I am from Texas and I am 44 years old, but how can you not look at Roger Clemens last year. The guy took a mediocre Houston Astros team to the World Series and no can deny they wouldn't even have made the playoffs without him.

Answer 8

Ill agree with you that Pedro had the best year in '99 as a pitcher.

Id say Clemens is/was the best pitcher in baseball history.
he dominated in the A.L. as well so none of this N.L. Sux Bulls#i%

Answer 9

You should check out Bob Gibson's record in 1968 with the St. Louis Cardinals.....among other things, ERA of 1.12....Martinez isn't fit to carry Gibson's jock!!!

Answer 10

Pedro was awesome in the Allstar game that year, but was nearly heroic in the ALDS against Cleveland and in the ALCS in the Sox' one win against the Yankees that year.