Who is the best pitcher now??? who is the best pitcher ever??

Question

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Answer 1

Johan Santana is the best pitcher now. That's not debatable.

The best pitcher ever is very debatable. I'll say it's Roger Clemens, by the numbers. Just my opinion. If it's ever proven that he took roids and not just speculated, I'll change my position, and say Koufax.

Answer 2

the best pitcher in the last 5 years, Johan Santana, the best in the last 25 years, Clemens, Maddox Ryan. the last 50 yrs add Koufax and Gibson to the list, but the best overall Walter Johnson. 417 wins 110 shutout, held the strikeout record for over 50 yrs, won all these games with subpar teams and batted .433 in 1925. He dominated an entire decade and won the pitching triple crown in 1924 when he was 37. Grove, Young, Feller and Spahn was great..but the Big Train was simply the best

Answer 3

Johan Santana is the best now and Sandy Koufax is the best I ever saw. Many pitchers have the ability to be the best any given day but no one has ever exhibited the total dominance of Koufax during those five magical years in the early 1960's. Who are we to doubt players like Joe Morgan, Bench, Aaron, Mays and all the others that put Koufax at the top of their list of great pitchers.

Answer 4

If I had to count on a pitcher to be my staff ace and get a win when I needed it, that would be Jake Peavy. But, if I needed a pitcher to come in and close a game out for me, that would be Trevor Hoffman.

All time, I don't know. Every elite pitcher has a period when they were absolutely untouchable. I would say the best run I ever saw was Orel Hershiser going 59+ scoreless innings. Nolan Ryan was unhittable in his peak, as was Roger Clemens. But, I don't think I could choose an all-time best pitcher.

Answer 5

Santana now. He can dominate a season not just a game.
Bob Gibson- he caused the league to lower the mound, revolutionized the inside pitch. He was also one of the most feared pitchers ever.

Answer 6

Since everyone is going with Johan Santana, I am going to go and give my vote to Jake Peavy. Last year his numbers were off due to vision problems, but when he got them corrected (via new contact lenses) in August he went on a tear, check out his stats last year for August and September when he fixed his vision. This year he continued to roll over hitters with his vast array of pitches that have just incredible movement. Mix that with his great control AND velocity and you got some nasty pitches that just make hitters buckle and cringe. The guy has had 2 stints this year where he's had 10+Ks in 4 straight games, which is amazing. He is probably going to be the NL Cy Young, barring an implosion at the end of the season which is highly unlikely. His BAA (batting average against) has always been as microscopic as his ERA (even last years down year BAA was under .250). He is an incredible pitcher and should be dominating for years to come.

Now for all time, I'm gonna go and say Sandy Koufax. He retired very early and if he had continued I am sure he wouldve put up some nasty numbers that you would just stare as your eyes bugged out of their sockets in awe at the numbers. The guy was masterful keeping hitters off balance at all times. He was one of the toughest ever to hit off of.

Notables Current
Johan Santana - best lefty in the game today, best changeup in the game today
Brandon Webb - best sinker in the game today, can get a ground ball whenever he wants
Roy Oswalt - always been very consistent, had 20 wins two years in a row and wasn't even recognized for a cy young in those years, quietly does his job

Notables All Time
Nolan Ryan - wildly effective, but still wild...his K record will never be touched
Roger Clemens - great numbers across the board, needs to be mentioned here but I don't think he really needs to be
Satchel Paige - like the guy above look at ***** league stats, and his MLB stats
Others: Christy Matthewson, Walter Johnson

Side Note:
no one has mentioned any closers so I am going to name some just for the hell of it
Dennis Eckersly - the original Ecks-Factor...he was an incredible starter converted to an incredible closer, won MVP and Cy Young in the same year
Trevor Hoffman - all time saves leader, used to have 98MPH fastball and 75MPH changeup, thats not right
Mariano River - Mr. Roboto, best closer in post season history
Goose Gossage - that stache man the stache lol

Answer 7

The best pitcher ever and present is Greg Maddux. He is the most consistent pitcher ever. He moves the ball better than anybody and fields the position like nobody else in the game. 2nd best ever is Satchel Paige. Look up his ***** league stats.

Answer 8

I don't think you can compare pitchers from the early baseball era to now. However if I did have to pick the best here's what it would be.

Best pitcher now: Even though he's have a tough time this year I'd say Johan Santana

Best pitcher ever: (Old era) TIE: Cy Young and Walter "Big train" Johnson
(New era) TIE: Roger Clemens and Nolan Ryan

Answer 9

Johan Santana and Lefty Grove.

Answer 10

Right now you have to go with Santana; he is filthy! Peavy is pretty close but is still too eratic.

All-Time...Cy Young; they named the award after him! Walter Johnson is another one that was unreal for a very LONG time. Koufax wins the award from the players that played against him.