Baseball's Best Decade (24 page)

Since 1920, Braves left-hander Warren Spahn (left) was the only pitcher to record more than 200 victories in a decade. His 202 wins in the 1950s was 3 more than Phillies right-hander Robin Roberts.

Juan Marichal led the major leagues in victories during the 1960s with 191. Marichal pitched a one-hit shutout in his major league debut in 1960.

Minnesota Twins left-hander Jim Kaat had more American League wins than any other pitcher in the 1960s. He led the AL with 25 victories in 1966.

Jim Bunning was the first pitcher to win more than 100 games in each league. He was also the first to strike out at least 1,000 batters and pitch a no-hitter … in each league.

1950s –
Warren Spahn was the only pitcher in the modern era to win 200 or more games in a decade. His 202 total was 3 victories better than the Philadelphia Phillies right-handed ace, Robin Roberts, who won 20 or more for 6 straight seasons. Early Wynn and Bob Lemon were members of the Cleveland Indians’ staff that produced at least one 20-game winner each season from 1950 to 1955. Billy Pierce led the American League in complete games for 3 straight years starting in 1955.

Who almost made the list?
Mike Garcia at 128, Lew Burdette and Don Newcombe at 126.

1960s –
Though rarely mentioned in the same breath with Sandy Koufax or Bob Gibson, Juan Marichal of the San Francisco Giants was baseball’s winningest pitcher during the 1960s, averaging 19 victories per season. Marichal won 20 or more game 6 times between 1963 and 1969, winning 25 or more games in three of those seasons. Bob Gibson’s 164 wins during the decade included 4 times being a 20-game winner (he would add a fifth 20-win season in 1970). Don Drysdale and Jim Bunning each were 20-game winners only twice in their careers. Jim Kaat ranked fifth in victories for the decade, but had more career victories than the other four pitchers on this list.

Who almost made the list?
Larry Jackson at 141, Sandy Koufax at 137, Jim Maloney at 134.

1970s –
Of all 9 decades surveyed in this book, the 1970s were the only decade when the top 5 winning pitchers were all 300-game winners for their careers. Jim Palmer was a 20-game winner 8 times during the 1970s, and led the American League in ERA twice. Gaylord Perry was the first pitcher to win a Cy Young award in each major league. Steve Carlton was a 20-game winner 4 times in the 1970s (and 2 more times in the 1980s). Ferguson Jenkins won 20 or more games 7 times between 1967 and 1974. A 5-time 20-game winner, Tom Seaver won 3 Cy Young awards during his career.

Who almost made the list?
Catfish Hunter at 169, Don Sutton at 166, Phil Niekro at 164.

The Top
Winning Pitchers for Each Decade (1980s-2000s)

1980s –
One of baseball’s most durable starters in the 1980s, Jack Morris was a 20-game winner twice in the decade. Dave Stieb finished second in decade wins despite never having won more than 17 games in a season. Fernando Valenzuela was a 20-game winner one time, going 21-11 in 1986 while leading the National League with 20 complete games. Bert Blyleven notched 287 career victories with 3,701 strikeouts (number 5 all time). Nolan Ryan led the National League in ERA twice during the 1980s, the only times he accomplished that in his long career.

Who almost made the list?
Mike Scott at 114, Ron Guidry at 111, Dwight Gooden and Phil Niekro at 110.