Stats and Ranks
Some Interesting Stats and Facts
- Had 10 more wins than anyone else in the NL
- Had 40 more IP than anyone else in NL
- Had 9 more CG than anyone else in NL
- Also led the league in BB/9 and K/BB ratio
- In the top-100 single-seasons all-time in W, IP and CG
- Lowest WHIP of any pitchers with 330 IP from 1918-1964
- Since 1952, only one pitcher (Denny McClain, 31) won more games in a season than Roberts’ 28.
Why He’s Here
You look at numbers like Roberts put up in 1952 (and every year from 1950-1956) and you assume that this is one of those things that was just “a sign of the times.” Everyone was pitching 330 innings a season back then, right? Not quite.
From 1950-1956, Robin Roberts pitched 2,235 innings. The next in line was only 265.1 innings behind. Warren Spahn. There were only 10 seasons of 300+ IP in the 1950′s across the entire league. 6 of them were by Roberts.
Despite his large workload, his ERA remained low. In 1952, it was the lowest for a single-season in his career. He also set career highs in wins and WHIP.
Roberts started what now seems like a tradition of Phillies’ work-horse RHP who excel at pitching deep into game, limiting runs, not walking anyone, not striking out people at an elite level (except Schilling) but considered among the best RHP in the game. Roberts, Bunning, Schilling, Halladay. Just so happens they are 6,7,14 and 8 on this list. But the original, Robin Roberts, is still the best.
Previous Seasons
#10. Dick Allen, 1966
#11. Jimmy Rollins, 2007
#12. Billy Hamilton, 1894
#13. Ed Delahanty, 1895
#14. Curt Schilling, 1997
#15 - Lefty O’Doul, 1929
#16 - Brad Lidge, 2008
#17 - Chris Short, 1964
#18 - John Denny, 1983
#19 - Tug McGraw, 1980
#20 - Greg Luzinksi, 1977
#21 - Gavvy Cravath, 1913
#22 - Lenny Dykstra, 1993
Five pitchers that just missed (and criteria for rankings)
Soon as I saw Robbie’s name, I figured it must have been the 28 and 7 season that made the list. I mean, the 1-10 in 1961 wasn’t going to cut it.
The guy won 300, so maybe there were other years that were tough to rule out, but I figure the 28 win year was his best.
The most incredible piece I got out of this was…
<<From 1950-1956, Robin Roberts pitched 2,235 innings. The next in line was only 265.1 innings behind. Warren Spahn. There were only 10 seasons of 300+ IP in the 1950?s across the entire league. 6 of them were by Roberts.>>
Now, Carlton, when he gets added to the list, probably goes in with 1972 attached to his name, but the lefthander had a couple other 20 win years (23-9?, 20-13?) that were pretty damned good also, and for all I know, might give the 27-10 year some competition, although that was a helluva year aside from the spectacular 27 wins for a 59 win club.
Looks like maybe the won’t pitch in NY attached to Greinke might have been overblown. Maybe kinda like Oswalt not wanting to come here last year.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/30/report-zack-greinke-has-no-problem-going-to-new-york-and-the-yankees-and-royals-are-talking/
I know Damon and Varitech don’t scare anyone at this point, although to me, Damon is still a valuble asset, but the Dodgers are said to be interested in both. You ave to hve a core of youth, but a little veteran touch doesn’t hurt.
Conlin reported on Dom Brown’s winter ball progress in his latest column.
<<By last Sunday, Brown was 1-for-19 and had been dropped to the No. 7 hole. Batting No. 6 was veteran Mets utility infielder Fernando Tatis, who carried a .152 average out of a game between the second-place Leones and third-place Estrellas de Oriente. So with a base open and the game on the line, the .152 hitter was intentionally walked so the Oriente could pitch to Brown. Another 0-for-4 left the rightfielder at 1-for-23, .043, with an OPS of .207.>>
Winter ball, or not, small sampling or not, well…