Greatest starting rotation ever? The 3 greats with Avery and Smith (Getty Images)For over a decade, the Atlanta Braves featured a trio of starting pitchers unequaled at that time, and possibly the greatest trio ever to pitch together for such a period. Now, Smoltz has had another operation, on his shoulder this time, and may never pitch again. Glavine, never on the DL before this year, has already had two stints on the DL. ESPN reporters and everyone in Atlanta are talking about the possibility that all three could retire at the same time, creating an unparalleled Atlanta celebration at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony 5 years later. In honor of the three great pitchers, here's a rundown of their greatest stats, and which one I think is the best.
Tom Glavine (1987-pres.) - The definition of a crafty left-hander, Tom Glavine has been a model of consistency for two decades. Winner of 2 Cy Young Awards and the World Series MVP in 1995, Glavine joined the 300 win club last year as a Met. His career record is 305-202, with a 3.53 ERA. Glavine has the 4th most wins by any lefty, and started over 30 games in all but 3 years since becoming a full time major leaguer in 1988. He even started 25 games in the strike-shortened 1994. Glavine left the Braves for the Mets in 2003, but returned to the Braves this year.
Greg Maddux (1986-pres.) - A man you would think more likely to be a professor than a professional athlete, Maddux has been tricking hitters for as long as I can remember. Maddux is 9th on the all-time wins list with a record of 350-218, in front of greats such as Nolan Ryan, Phil Niekro, and Don Sutton. Maddux has been a model of consistency almost as much as Glavine, starting about the same number of games in every season for a total of 721 starts! Maddux is also a member of the 3,000 K club, in spite of never being known for overpowering stuff. Maddux is 11th on the all-time strikeout list, and could easily sneak into the top 10 before the end of the year, only needing 26 more to pass Phil Niekro. Maddux's career ERA of 3.12, and from 1992-1998 he was almost unhittable with his ERA exceeding 2.50 only once in those 7 seasons. His dominance yielded 4 straight Cy Young's from 1992-1995 (a record which has since been tied by the Big Unit). In addition, Maddux has always fielded his position well, winning a staggering 17 Gold Glove Awards between 1990 and 2007 (that's 17 in 18 years, incredible). Maddux has not pitched less than 198 innings in any season since 1987, and set a record by winning 15 or more games in 16 consecutive seasons.John Smoltz (1988-pres.) - Widely considered to be in a two-man club with Dennis Eckersley, Smoltz is the only pitcher to win 200 games, save 150, and strikeout over 3,000 hitters. Plagued by arm problems later in his career, Smoltz's ERA has not exceeded 3.50 since 1994. Smoltz's career record is 210-147 with a career 3.26 ERA. In addition, much has been made of his postseason success, a 2.70 ERA in 203 IP. John won his Cy Young in 1996, as a starter. However, as dominant as he was as a starter, his best year was in 2003, notching 45 saves in 49 opportunities with a stellar 1.12 ERA. Smoltz always had the hardest stuff of the 3 All-Stars, and achieved his 3,000 strikeouts in significantly fewer innings.
In summary, the three won 7 Cy Young's in the 8 years from 1991 to 1998, and the highest career ERA for any of the 3 is 3.53. Remembering that all of them pitched through the entire steroids era, that's an absolutely incredible feat.
I believe Maddux to be the best of the three, and a no-brainer first ballot Hall member. Smoltz belongs in that club as well, one of the few pitchers to achieve success as a starter and a reliever, and absolutely dominating for short stretches. Glavine should also be in the Hall of Fame; his stats aren't quite as gaudy as Maddux and Smoltz, but winning 300 games during the steroids era should be sufficient for immediate entry. Let's hope these three friends can go into Cooperstown together. All three were consummate professionals and represented themselves and baseball well at all times.
15 Responses:
Correction on the Braves rotation picture: The guy on the left/top is Steve Avery, not Denny Neagle. This picture was taken in 1993 during Maddux's first year with the Braves. Neagle didn't join the Braves until 1996.
You're right. I'll fix the caption.
As a Met fan, I hated all three of these clowns but had nothing but respect for them because, well, they are/were all great. However, I would *love* to see Maddux stay active and take aim at hitting 3rd on the all-time wins list, which he only needs 24 more wins to hit. (I know, wins are borderline meaningless, but it's still neat.) I know he's slowed down a bit in the last two years, but he's pitching fairly okay at this point, and even on a crappy Padres team, should be able to get there by the end of next year or early 2010.
I was going to say you could make a whole rotation out of the lesser Braves pitchers: Avery, Mercker, Neagle, etc.
Do the Braves count as part of the east coast bias? I thought it was pretty much limited to BosWash territory, and stretches into Carolina only when discussing NCAA bball.
Not that Russell shouldn't be allowed to post as he pleases, but I notice the Braves postings get no attention from Brien, J-Red and Jeremy.
Atlanta is definitely on the East Coast. Russell posts plenty about the SEC as well as NL baseball. I covered the death out of Michael Vick. We've pretty much been on top of the Dirrrty from Day One.
And you meant BalWash. We have no love for Boston.
Completely agree here, Maddux is the best of all of the three. Smoltz may of had the best stuff, but Maddux is the best pitcher out of the group. The guy is just unbelievably smart and crafty, he knows what it takes to get a job done even when he doesn't have his stuff.
Aaaand let us now slag Bobby Cox. 3 HOF starters for over a decade, and only one WS win?
Should this trio have cashed in on more than one Series appearance? They played in some pretty tight ones, but almost always came up short.
Most often, the culprit was their crappy hitting.
Ben, I live in Atlanta now, so I see the Braves a lot. Also, I feel more attachment to the Braves than the Nats since I watched this trio of pitchers throughout my childhood. Gotta love TBS showing as many Braves games as we got O's games.
The braves made more than one world series appearance, guy. They made 5 appearances, one win. (I know thats what you meant, but still)
Also, lets not forget how freaking hard it is to win a world series in the wild card era! And despite that, a few bounces going their way (they win in '91 with home field) and they probably have a couple more titles.
Don't forget all the breaks the Yankees got in their run (Jeffrey Maier anyone?)
Anonymous - If memory serves correct (and I was 7 at the time), Jeffrey Mier happened against the Orioles. Jeez, the Orioles in the playoffs? As a 20 year old, that's hard to imagine.
(As a 20 year old Jay fan, its also hard to imagine a year we weren't 3rd, save for cellar in 2002 and 2nd in 2006)
For the record, when I started writing that J-Red never commented on the Braves postings, his post before mine was not yet submitted. Bad coincidence for me. That said...
J-Red: You will note that I said "east coast bias" and not "East Coast Bias" or "East coast" or "Atlanta."
I just was noting that the media's east coast bias does not really pay attention to the Braves in the same way it does to New England and Mid-Atlantic. And the Braves postings, until now, did not get as much attention on this blog, either.
And Michael Vick was a Virginia story, too.
It would be great for Maddux, Smoltz, and Glavine to go into the HOF together, but I think Smoltz will try to play one more year. Glavine looks done, but I think Maddux could pitch till he's 50!
I remember when Avery was labeled the "Phenom." I wonder if Pete Smith is honored to be in that picture or if he wishes he was sick that day?
Having been to Atlanta quite a few times, mostly for Maryland athletics related events (Peach Bowl, Final Four, ACC Tourney), it seems to me that General Sherman needs to make another march through the city.
Post a Comment