[DrMitchJ]

There are lots of arguments about who the best pitcher was. And there are infinite ways to argue it.

For me, the best that ever was? Satchel Paige...and it isnt close.

cant argue that statistically, of course.

i could bring up the fact he started a game in 1965, at the age of 58 - FIFTY BLEEPING EIGHT, pitched 3 innings and only allowed 1 hit and no runs - against the red sox, a lineup including yaz, tony c, malzone, petrolcelli, lee thomas (who has 22 hr's that year)

They didn't tell you that Satch took them out drinking the night before

But seriously, Satchel was probably the greatest ever but it's hard to compare due to segregation of baseball during his prime pitching years. I would go with Koufax just slightly over him. It might be a close race, but I think Sandy was the most dominant force in the majors for 5 years. From 1962 - 1966 the guy was off the charts. In any 3 of those seasons his ERA was below 2.0 (1.88, 1.74, 1.73), he won 20+ games (25, 26, 27), he struck out over 300 (306,382,317 ), walked less than 60 (57,58,53) and won the Cy Young Award (3x).
No hitters, World Series wins, an MVP in 1963. Hell, his WHIP was below 1.0 in 4 of those 5 seasons ( .875, .928, .855, .985)!!!!
In all 5 of those seasons he had the lowest ERA in the league and gave up the least amount of hit per game in the NL.
If he didn't have a shortened career, he might have amassed more impressive numbers, but was elected to the HOF just on the merits of those 5 seasons. If you take 5 seasons of any of the other greats, The Left Hand of God was probably the best of them all.
IMO
Mitch

---

Counterpoint to randy johnson being the best:

i rest my case, your honor

BTW: probably the funniest / embarrassing picture ever. Thanks for the best laugh I had this year. Who could be intimidated by THAT!