Which MLB pitcher had the best "light's out" season?

Question

Which MLB pitcher had the best season ever - a season when he dominated hitters and was virtually untouchable. I know of some current pitchers who had great seasons (like Greg Maddux in 1995, or Pedro Martinez in 1999), but I am wondering who may have had the all-time best season (wins, era, strikouts, cg, whip, etc). Ok, let the opinions begin!!

So far, it looks like fans have favored:
1968 Bob Gibson
2000 Pedro Martinez
1985 Doc Gooden

Would anyone argue for Orel Hershiser's 1988 season (59 consecutive scoreless innings)?

Answer 1

Most people would say Bob Gibson but the offensive stats that year were the worst in the past 90 years or so. When Gibson had his 1.12 ERA, the league ERA was 2.98. I have to go with Pedro Martinez in 2000 who set the all-time record for the biggest differential between a player's ERA and the league (-3.23). Pedro's ERA that year was 1.74 and the league was 4.98! MUCH better than Gibson's differential. Gibson was only 1.86 better than the league. Pedro was a ridiculous 3.23 better. In a hitter's year, Pedro only allowed 128 hits in 217 innings.

Answer 2

Sandy Koufax - 1963
won 25 games
won 2 playoff games (complete games)
won the CY Young
won the National League MVP
won the World Series MVP

pitched 311 innings
had 306 strikeouts
1.88 ERA (only gave up 65 earned runs)
1.50 ERA in playoffs (0.95 ERA in four career World Series)
20 complete games
11 shutouts
1 no-hitter

Remember these are not career stats... this was all in ONE season!

Answer 3

It's most definitely Bob Gibson,they lowered the mound after his great year with a minuscule ERA of 112,and 22 wins 13 shut-outs. he should of won a lot more games as his team was shut-out 6 times when he pitched,I believe 4 of those losses were 1-0.

Answer 4

Sandy Koufax is a great choice. Superior numbers!

I'd also say Greg Maddux in 1995. 19-2 with a 1.63 ERA and only walked 23.

Anyone else only have two losses in a season?

Answer 5

I really likethe rangers to win the west they have the best offense and their pitching has improved from last year. Seattle has the best one two punch but have little else. I think the Redsox take the WC and the Yankees win the East, The White Sox take the central with the best rotation in baseball. In the NL i have Phillies, Cards, Dodgers and the Rockies winning the WC. AL MVP Arod , AL ROY Sean Rodriguez, Jackson isnt ready for the majors. NL ROY Mccucthen NL MVP Pujols

Answer 6

You can look at the stats and see who did what. but an interesting take on this would be who the players wanted to face the least. I know a guy who knows the Giambis. he went out with Jeremy Giambi and a couple other players one night, and got to talking about which pitcher they wanted to hit against the last. They all said hands down it was Pedro (back in his prime). They said he has so many different picthes and that he could throw them all from different arm angles so it was almost impossible to get a read on which pitch he was actually throwing.

Answer 7

Don't forget Dwight Gooden in 1985...24-4, 1.53 ERA, 16 CG, 268 K's, 8 SHO, WHIP under 1.00( 267 H/BB in 276.2 Innings). Cy Young Winner that year. His curveball was called "Lord Charles" not just Uncle Charlie.

Answer 8

All-time:

Charles Radborn in 1884:
59W-12L 1.38 ERA, 441K, 73 complete games, 11 shutouts, only 98 walks in 678+ innings

Modern Era (post 1900)

Walter Johnson in 1912:
33-12 1.39 ERA, 303K, 34 complete, 7 shutouts

Recent History:

Randy Johnson in 2001:
21-6, 2.49 ERA, 372 K

Answer 9

I'd go Gibson in '68. He was so dominant they lowered the mound.

But then again, Doc Gooden had a great year in the early 80's that compares favorably when you consider he had less of an advantage than Gibson b/c of the mound change.

I'd still go with Gibson.

Answer 10

1968 Bob Gibson.

Era of 1.12. 22 wins. 268 K, 13 shutouts.

Enough said