2007-05-14 23:23:05 · 10 answers · asked by The Glove 4 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Very possibly. I don't think there has been anyone in the last 50 years who could match Koufax at his peak. Unfortunately, as you say, his time at the top was too brief.
Kevincd5, Koufax didn't start in his 40's. He made his major league debut at age 19. His career was cut short by injuries; he was only 30 when he pitched his last game in 1966.
2007-05-14 23:44:13 · answer #1 · answered by dentroll 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When you talk about greatness one must define exactly what you would be comparing against. There were many pitchers with longer careers, many won more games, some had more strikeouts. Koufax did have (4) no hit games in his career but a few had more than that, Nolan Ryan had (7). I am a Dodger fan and grew up in LA in the 1950's and 1960's, had season tickets and probably saw Koufax pitch (100) games, or more. I can tell you this about Sandy Koufax, he was, by far, the best and most dominant pitcher I ever saw. On those days when he had everything working it was never an issue if he would win the game, it was a question of whether or not the other team would get a hit. To answer your question; greatest pitcher ever, maybe, most dominant pitcher ever, probably.
2007-05-15 01:43:14 · answer #2 · answered by Frizzer 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. Pedro Martinez was more dominant during his run.
But you can't really answer that question anyways. Was Dwight Gooden the best pitcher ever if he would've stayed off drugs? Is Nolan Ryan the best pitcher ever if he would've just had better control? Is Kevin Jones the best pitcher ever if he would've went to college to play ball instead of getting a job at McDonalds to support his family?
Koufax didn't pitch longer and there's no way to tell how he would've done if he did.
2007-05-15 03:07:53 · answer #3 · answered by steaksammich 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Koufax could have been greater than Cy Young. Keep in mind, this was a man who was unhittable at will, and he did so without handing out walks like Nolan Ryan.
2007-05-14 23:41:18 · answer #4 · answered by Arun K 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes sandy koufax is was the man. and he didnt start tell he was in his 40's he is the man even though it was a short time
2007-05-14 23:33:30 · answer #5 · answered by kevincd5 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
No probably Walter Johnson or Lefty Grove.
2007-05-15 01:39:47 · answer #6 · answered by John L 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Deep question. You would have an answer if you asked this 30 years ago when someone cared...
2007-05-16 05:41:28 · answer #7 · answered by Sicula 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What about Nolan Ryan?
2007-05-15 01:21:45 · answer #8 · answered by Tyler 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
ohhhhh yes
2007-05-15 09:00:42 · answer #9 · answered by Zaza 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
But he didn't, so we'll never know.
2007-05-14 23:31:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋