Postseason Pitching Greats

As a result of the MLB postseason format change to three rounds, all postseason statistics have become skewed. Names like Jeter, Justice and Williams are near the top of all postseason hitting categories. The pitching categories are ruled by Pettitte, Glavine, and Smoltz. This obviously does not mean that these players are better than those of previous generations, just that they had more opportunities. They had more chances to both be great and to fail.

We all know the legendary players of the past who are entrenched in postseason lore. Guys like Mickey Mantle, Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax and Brooks Robinson. While they have been passed in the record books, their images are still clear. Obviously both pitchers and position players have had great numbers in the playoffs. I find it more interesting though to examine the starting pitchers. They are the ones where the pressure lies at the beginning of a big game. They are the ones who can bury a team with a poor performance. I like to call that getting "Trachseled". They are also the ones who can carry their team to a title. Watching Chris Carpenter last night made me think of the great postseason pitchers of my generation. I will define this as guys who have pitched in the playoffs in the new format (three rounds).

There are certain criteria that I will use. Consistency in the postseason. A signature pitching performance. Lack of burying your team with horrific performances. Winning on the road.

Curt Schilling: This is the most obvious choice. A career record of 8-2 with an ERA of 2.06. His strikeout to walk ratio is about 5 to 1. Numerous signature moments, with the most famous being Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS in Yankee Stadium where he pitched seven innings giving up one run while he had blood seeming through his right sock from switches holding his ankle tendons together. He is the ultimate big game pitcher of our generation, and probably still the guy you want on the mound in a big game.

John Smoltz: An interesting postseason career considering he had a three year period as a closer. Before looking at his stats I would assume that the won-loss record would be underwhelming considering how poorly the Braves have done in the postseason over the years. That is not the case. A 15-4 record with an ERA of 2.65 and four saves. His best pitching performance though may have been in a game his team lost. He pitched nine scoreless innings in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series. Unfortunately he was outdueled by Jack Morris who pitched 10 scoreless and the Twins won when a run was scored in the 10th inning when Smoltz was out of the ballgame.

David Cone: A guy who never backed down even when it was obvious he did not have his best stuff. A impressive record of 8-3 with an 3.80 ERA. He pitched a sterling Game 3 of the 1996 World Series in Atlanta when the Yankees where down two games to none. He pitched well in the playoffs in three different uniforms (Mets, Blue Jays, Yankees). His last postseason out was one of his most special. In Game 4 of the 2000 World "Subway" Series he was called on to get one batter. With runners on base and two outs Mike Piazza, who had already homered in the game, came to the plate. He got Piazza to fly out and kept the momentum on the Yankees side.

Pedro Martinez: This one may receive some objection (Yankee fans). The fact is that Pedro pitched lights out early in his postseason career and had minor struggles later on when it was well known that he had major rotator cuff problems. He still has a 6-2 record with a 3.40 ERA. He came into Game 5 of the 1999 Division Series in Cleveland and pitched six hitless innings with a bum shoulder. He did not have a ability to throw his good fastball, but used his secondary pitched to baffle the Indians and carry the Red Sox into the ALCS. Most people remember Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS (Grady Little, Aaron Boone, etc). The fact is though that he pitched a tremendous game up until the 8th inning and he ran out of gas. It was the managers responsibility to take him out. All things being equal though, he has been a tremendous big game pitcher.

Honorable Mentions:

Andy Pettitte: Postseason ERA over four and buried the Yankees in Game 6 of the 2001 World Series. Won a lot of big games for the Yanks though.

Randy Johnson: Postseason record under .500, but teamed with Curt Schilling to win the 2001 World Series, including a gutsy Game 7 performance.

Tom Glavine: Also a postseason record under .500, but pitched the clinching Game 6 of the 1995 World Series and gave up only one hit in eight innings.

Chris Carpenter??? Not yet, but with a postseason record of 5-1 and an ERA under 3.00 he is definitely on his way. He does not have that "signature" performance yet, but that could come in either Game 6 or 7 of this World Series......


I will post something later on with stuff on The Killers and random thoughts...