Could Brandon Webb Win 30 Games?
He's 7-0 now, and its only the beginning of May. The last winner was Denny McLean back before I was even a twinkle in my dad's eye. But Webb's start is astounding, and he's backed up by the best overall team in all of baseball. Arizona has to be the favorite now in the NL, and I love the way they play. But their consistanty is whats most impressive, and there isn't an easy out in the entire lineup.
But Webb has to be baseball's premier pitcher, even better than Santana or Beckett. I really think that 30 wins is in his future. And so could a World Series title.
That's Denny McLain, not McLean. And as an old Washington Senators fan, I wish you wouldn't mention him. The infamous Denny McLain trade is one of the reasons that Robert Short is roasting in hell today if there is any justice in the universe.
After his baseball career ended, McLain ballooned to well over three hundred pounds and served time in Federal prison for drug trafficking, embezzlement and racketeering.
McLain also lost two games in the '68 World Series, although he did win game six on two days rest. It was Mickey Lolich who won three games for Detroit in the Series inluding game seven. And they were all complete games. No pitcher has pitched three complete game victories in a single World Series since he did it in '68.
McLain may have won 31 games during the '68 season, but Lolich was the best pitcher on that staff. If you are ever sittinng around over beers putting together your all time best pitching staff, Lolich should be the first Southpaw you consider. One of the most consistent ever.
Posted by: Dan | May 04, 2008 at 07:42 PM
Sorry man, when I start my all-time rotation and I needed a lefty, I'm putting Sandy Kougax in there. But Lolich was a great one - its funny you mentioned all that because my dad has told me that story all the time any time we see a Tigers game on TV. Lolich over McLain, every time.
But I'll take Koufax over Lolich. Too bad he blew his arm out so young.
Posted by: Chris | May 04, 2008 at 09:11 PM
Koufax would be right up there. I still remember when he and Don Drysdale held out for $100,000 contracts. More than one person exclaimed that no ballplayer was worth 100 grand for a single season. Hard to believe when you consider the millions paid to mediocre players today.
His refusal to pitch a World Series game because it fell on Yom Kippur shows a character that is rarely displayed these days.
Posted by: Dan | May 04, 2008 at 10:34 PM