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Topnotchsy
Featured Contributor, The best players in history?
- Aug 7, 2008
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As a Bowman Chrome fan, I tend to give more attention to players with a Chrome RC Auto than others. Thinking about Chrome releases, in my mind there are 4 pitchers who have distinguished themselves to this point in time, having pitched a few seasons in the majors and seen real success.
The four are:
Justin Verlander
Tim Lincecum
Clayton Kershaw
Felix Hernandez
Brief bios:
Justin Verlander
29 years old. 2012 is his 8th season in the league. 112-61 record with a 3.48 lifetime ERA. Last season won his first Cy Young and also won the MVP award in the AL going 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA. He's pitched 2 no-hitters and dials up his fastball to 100 late in games. (IMO could potentially follow a Roy Halladay career path, developing as a true ace a little older, and maintaining that through his 30's.
Tim Lincecum
28 years old. 2012 is his 6th season in the league. 71-48 record with a 3.17 lifetime ERA. Lead the league in K's 3 straight years and picked up 2 Cy Young awards, but has seen some regression since then, and has really struggled this season to a 2-7 6 ERA clip. Still K'ing a lot of guys, but both hits and walks are up significantly. Still though, just 28, and if he bounces back we may have all forgotten this by the end of the season.
Clayton Kershaw
24 years old. 2012 is his 5th season in the league. 52-31 record with a 2.85 lifetime ERA. Won the NL Triple Crown last season enroute to the Cy Young Award. Has not had an ERA over 3 since his rookie season.
Felix Hernandez
26 years old. 2012 is his 6th season in the league. 89-72 with a 3.27 ERA. Lead the league in WHIP twice and won the Cy Young in 2010 with a 2.27 ERA. Has struggled to accumulate wins pitching in Seattle, but is clearly one of the best in baseball and has been from a very young age.
All 4 are relatively young. All 4 have seen significant success in the Majors. How would you rank them based on who will have had the best career when they all retire (obviously including what they have done to this point.)
The four are:
Justin Verlander
Tim Lincecum
Clayton Kershaw
Felix Hernandez
Brief bios:
Justin Verlander
29 years old. 2012 is his 8th season in the league. 112-61 record with a 3.48 lifetime ERA. Last season won his first Cy Young and also won the MVP award in the AL going 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA. He's pitched 2 no-hitters and dials up his fastball to 100 late in games. (IMO could potentially follow a Roy Halladay career path, developing as a true ace a little older, and maintaining that through his 30's.
Tim Lincecum
28 years old. 2012 is his 6th season in the league. 71-48 record with a 3.17 lifetime ERA. Lead the league in K's 3 straight years and picked up 2 Cy Young awards, but has seen some regression since then, and has really struggled this season to a 2-7 6 ERA clip. Still K'ing a lot of guys, but both hits and walks are up significantly. Still though, just 28, and if he bounces back we may have all forgotten this by the end of the season.
Clayton Kershaw
24 years old. 2012 is his 5th season in the league. 52-31 record with a 2.85 lifetime ERA. Won the NL Triple Crown last season enroute to the Cy Young Award. Has not had an ERA over 3 since his rookie season.
Felix Hernandez
26 years old. 2012 is his 6th season in the league. 89-72 with a 3.27 ERA. Lead the league in WHIP twice and won the Cy Young in 2010 with a 2.27 ERA. Has struggled to accumulate wins pitching in Seattle, but is clearly one of the best in baseball and has been from a very young age.
All 4 are relatively young. All 4 have seen significant success in the Majors. How would you rank them based on who will have had the best career when they all retire (obviously including what they have done to this point.)
