Why did Nolan Ryan argueable the greatest pitcher of all time never win a cy young
2007-01-24 03:02:58 · 17 answers · asked by Joel R 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Ryan is a HOF pitcher, but I don't think there's any way you can make the argument that he's the best of all time.
Ryan was an amazing strikeout pitcher, and could dominate like nobody else some nights. However, he didn't really learn great control until he was in his 30s, and therefore allowed way too many baserunners. As impressive as his strikeout totals are, his K/BB ratio is only 2.04, as compared to 2.62 for Tom Seaver, one of his contemporaries, or 2.97 for Roger Clemens.
Ryan arguably should have won the 1981 Cy Young Award given to Valenzuela, but most years there were simply better pitchers than him. Of course, playing for some bad teams didn't help, but he also didn't have many dominant ERA years either, only leading the league twice. He was consistently very good, but not great over the season. His longevity was impressive, but he never had an amazing peak like Bob Gibson, Koufax, or even Seaver.
I think Ryan's no-hitters are amazing, but they hide his faults. He had plenty of off nights, he walked too many batters, and his consistency wasn't as great as guys like Seaver or Carlton. He's a great pitcher, but there's no way he should be considered the best ever.
2007-01-24 03:18:24 · answer #1 · answered by Craig S 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Nolan Ryan Cy Young
2016-10-04 04:40:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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Why did Nolan Ryan never win??
Why did Nolan Ryan argueable the greatest pitcher of all time never win a cy young
2015-08-10 06:41:02 · answer #3 · answered by Cybil 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prior to his later years in Houston and Texas, Ryan gave up a lot of walks. This contributed to having a higher ERA, a lower winning percentage, as well as fewer wins. Plus, playing his prime for the California Angels did not help- no offense to Angels fans but they were badly overshadowed by the Dodgers in the 1970's.
I believe Don Sutton, one of his HOF contemporaries, also never won a Cy Young, so Ryan is not the only one.
2007-01-24 15:13:05 · answer #4 · answered by Patrick M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He came close a couple of times. But even in your best season, there could well be someone just a bit better.
Dave Stewart had four consecutive 20+ win seasons with the A's (1987 - 90), never won the AL Cy Young That was simply because, in each of those years, someone else was better.
This is why you look at career stats separately than you do single season stats.
2007-01-24 03:42:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
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Remember Cy Young Awards are for best pitcher of THAT year. Not career compilation. He finished 2nd once and 3rd twice. in 1973 where he finished second, he was behind Jim Palmer in every Statistically relevant category. ERA Palmer (2.40) / Ryan (2.87) WHIP Palmer (1.141) / Ryan (1.222) ERA+ Palmer (156) / Ryan (122) Ryan was outclassed in everything that mattered... Remember Nolan Ryan did not come out of games, he pitched 327 innings or something crazy. He was a freak, but never the best pitcher in his league in any given year.
2016-03-27 01:57:17 · answer #6 · answered by Debra 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was never on a great team. Quality pitcher or not, number of wins is the FIRST FACOTOR looked at when deciding who the Cy Young winner is. The only reason Johan son it this year with less then 20 wins was becaus he had the most wins. Last year (05) he was the best pitcher, but because he only had 18 wins, he was overlooked.
2007-01-24 05:35:46 · answer #7 · answered by vlfranklin1999 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
His career record was 324-292. That is a lot of wins, but it is also a lot of losses. He won 20 games in a season only twice, 73 (21-16, 2.87 era) and 74 (22-16, 2.89 era). Those are good seasons but not great. Usually the record of a pitcher in a given season is the most highly weighted criteria for consideration for the Cy Young Award.
In 73, Jim Palmer was 22-9, 2.40 era
In 1974, Catfish Hunter was 25-12, 2.49 era.
Both won the Cy Young in those years and were worthy winners.
How come Cy Young never won a Cy Young Award. If Lou Gehrig had Lou Gehrigs disease , why then didn't Cy Young win the Cy Young award? lol
2007-01-24 03:56:02 · answer #8 · answered by James O only logical answer D 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
If they gave a Cy Young for Career accomplishments Nolan would rate one but the years that he had great years there was always another pitcher that had better stats, more wins or lower ERA.
2007-01-24 03:19:12 · answer #9 · answered by Oz 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Never the best pitcher in a single season. Just year in and year out he put up great strikeout numbers while being barely a .500 pitcher.
2007-01-24 09:36:46 · answer #10 · answered by Chad 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋