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Originally Posted by tjkurita /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Nice stats! The Perfect Game is truly amazing. That Vander Meer thing is unbelievable. Who knows if anyone will throw consecutive complete games again, let alone consecutive no hitters! I like stats also, but right now I am too busy grading papers to look them up. I like the 9-pitch-strike-out-the-side stat. Can't remember how many times that has been done. Didn't Clemens also do the 20K thing? Was it twice? But Wood was the first, right? Was it Carlton who had the previous record of 19? Can't remember right now. Amazing the kinds of records that we've been able to see fall in our lifetime. I am still hugely impressed by Ichiro breaking the hits record.
It's cool that you are a fan of pitching in the age of the long ball. I share your affinity for the pitcher's art. Pitching and defense is my favorite aspect of the game. I really think baseball is a pitcher's sport. This is one of the major things that distinguishes it from cricket, which is a batter's sport. It is also why, despite my passion for baseball, I have never really been into cricket.
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20K data from wikipedia:
* Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks (NL), May 8, 2001, vs. Cincinnati. This game went 11 innings. Johnson recorded all 20 strikeouts in the first nine innings of work. MLB has recognized this as having tied the record.
* Kerry Wood, Chicago Cubs (NL), May 6, 1998, vs. Houston.
* Roger Clemens, Boston Red Sox (AL), Sept. 18, 1996, at Detroit.
* Roger Clemens, Boston Red Sox (AL), April 29, 1986, vs. Seattle.
Clemens has never thrown a no-hitter, and neither has Wood. As we know, Johnson has a no-hitter and a Perfect Game (at age 40!). Plus, Johnson has two 19K games. I would say that Johnson's stats suggest he is the most dominant pitcher ever, when you take into account his longevity and consistency and accuracy. He won, I believe, four consecutive Cy Youngs plus another. Not to mention that he's taken a no-hitter past five innings on countless occasions. Plus, he's not suspected of steroid use. I still think that the greatest pitching talent ever is probably Sandy Koufax, but his career was so short.