AaronGleeman.com

Before I unveil it, a few notes:

#1) Just as I did with the hitters, the pitchers are judged on a combination of "Career" and "Peak."

#2) The most significant things I looked at were a) preventing runs, b) innings pitched and c) how their prevention of runs stacked up against their contemporaries.

That is my way of saying that Wins and Losses, while taken into account, were not very significant in my rankings.

The reason for this is simple: a pitcher cannot control how his team's offense performs (except prior to the DH and currently in the NL, but still...).

Pitcher X pitches 7 innings and allows 3 runs. His team scores him 8 runs and he gets the win.

Pitcher Z pitches 8 innings and allows 2 runs. His team only scores once and he gets the loss.

However, obviously Pitcher Z pitched better than Pitcher X. He went more innings and allowed fewer runs to score. But he gets the loss and Pitcher X gets the win.

See my point? Good.

#3) It is very tough to compare players from different eras, but it is especially tough to compare pitchers from different eras.

For one thing, the amount of runs scored during eras varies a lot:

In the 1938 American League, 5.37 runs were scored per game.

In the 1968 American League, 3.41 runs were scored per game.

In the 1998 American League, 5.00 runs were scored per game.

Also, the amount of innings that pitchers usually pitched varies tremendously too.

In the 1870s, 1880s and 1890s, pitchers routinely pitched 400, 500 and even 600+ innings in a season.

And for most of the 1900s (from about 1900-1980), pitching 300-350 innings in a season wasn't a big deal.

Recently, however, pitching 200 innings has become the bench mark for "workhorse" type of pitcher. No one has thrown 300 innings in a season in over 20 years.

#4) As I said with the hitters list, although I would like to rank Negro League players and I have absolutely no doubt that they deserve to appear on any "Top 20 players of all-time list," possibly several times, I just do not know enough about them to rank them accurately enough. Sorry.

#5) As you may have noticed with the hitters, the last stat I list in the player profile is "Average Per 162 Games." This is, of course, a lot easier to figure out for hitters. You just take the amount of games they played and divide by 162 and then divide that by their totals.

But, with pitchers that is almost impossible. So, what I did (once again with the help of Baseball-Reference.com) is to try to put each pitcher career into modern day terms. What I mean by that is listed each pitchers stats as if they averaged 34 starts per season, which is what most pitchers start currently.

For Roger Clemens and Greg Maddux it isn't going to change much, but for Cy Young and Bob Gibson, some things will look a lot different.

So, just keep in mind that all the "Average Per 162 Games" stats are showing what they would have averaged in about 34 starts per season.

#6) As always, I welcome comments on my list, but only if they are backed up by some sort of factual argument. Not just "Player A is way better than Player B, you moron!"

Okay, enough stalling! On to the list...

#1) Walter Perry Johnson

Years Played: 1907-1927 (21 seasons)

Games Pitched: 802 (666 Starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 5,914.2

ERA - 2.17

Wins - 417

Losses - 279

Winning % - .599

Complete Games - 531

Shutouts - 110

Strike Outs - 3,509

Walks - 1,363

Hits - 4,913

HR Allowed - 97

Saves - 34

Adjusted ERA - 146

Average Per 162 Games: 274 IP - 2.17 ERA - 19 Wins - 12 Losses - 162 K - 63 BB - 227 Hits

#2) Robert Moses "Lefty" Grove

Years Played: 1925-1941 (17 seasons)

Games Pitched: 616 (457 Starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 3,940.2

ERA - 3.06

Wins - 300

Losses - 141

Winning % - .680

Complete Games - 298

Shutouts - 35

Strike Outs - 2,266

Walks - 1,187

Hits - 3,849

HR Allowed - 162

Saves - 55

Adjusted ERA - 148

Average Per 162 Games: 250 IP - 3.06 ERA - 19 Wins - 8 Losses - 143 K - 75 BB - 243 Hits

#3) William "Roger" Clemens

Years Played: 1984-current (19+ seasons)

Games Pitched: 566 (565 starts)

Career Stats (through August 14th, 2002):

Innings Pitched - 4,017.2

ERA - 3.13

Wins - 290

Losses - 148

Winning % - .662

Complete Games - 116

Shutouts - 45

Strike Outs - 3,854

Walks - 1,304

Hits - 3,427

HR Allowed - 289

Saves - 0

Adjusted ERA - 145

Average Per 162 Games: 242 IP - 3.13 ERA - 19 Wins - 7 Losses - 232 K - 78 BB - 206 Hits

#4) Denton True "Cy" Young

Years Played: 1890-1911 (22 seasons)

Games Pitched: 906 (815 starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 7,354.2

ERA - 2.63

Wins - 511

Losses - 316

Winning % - .618

Complete Games - 749

Shutouts - 76

Strike Outs - 2,803

Walks - 1,217

Hits - 7,092

HR Allowed - 138

Saves - 17

Adjusted ERA - 138

Average Per 162 Games: 291 IP - 2.63 ERA - 20 Wins - 12 Losses - 110 K - 48 BB - 280 Hits

#5) Grover Cleveland "Pete" Alexander

Years Played: 1911-1930 (20 seasons)

Games Pitched: 696 (599 starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 5,190

ERA - 2.56

Wins - 373

Losses - 208

Winning % - .642

Complete Games - 437

Shutouts - 90

Strike Outs - 2,198

Walks - 951

Hits - 4,868

HR Allowed - 164

Saves - 32

Adjusted ERA - 135

Average Per 162 Games: 273 IP - 2.56 ERA - 19 Wins - 10 Losses - 115 K - 49 BB - 255 Hits

#6) Gregory Alan "Greg" Maddux

Years Played: 1986-current (17+ seasons)

Games Pitched: 530 (526 starts)

Career Stats (through August 14th, 2002):

Innings Pitched - 3,694.1

ERA - 2.83

Wins - 268

Losses - 150

Winning % - .641

Complete Games - 102

Shutouts - 33

Strike Outs - 2,610

Walks - 794

Hits - 3,337

HR Allowed - 203

Saves - 0

Adjusted ERA - 145

Average Per 162 Games: 240 IP - 2.83 ERA - 17 Wins - 9 Losses - 170 K - 51 BB - 216 Hits

#7) George Thomas "Tom" Seaver

Years Played: 1967-1986 (20 seasons)

Games Pitched: 656 (647 starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 4,782.7

ERA - 2.86

Wins - 311

Losses - 205

Winning % - .603

Complete Games - 231

Shutouts - 61

Strike Outs - 3,640

Walks - 1,390

Hits - 3,971

HR Allowed - 380

Saves - 1

Adjusted ERA - 127

Average Per 162 Games: 250 IP - 2.86 ERA - 16 Wins - 10 Losses - 189 K - 72 BB - 207 Hits

#8) Christopher "Christy" Mathewson

Years Played: 1900-1916 (17 seasons)

Games Pitched: 635 (551 starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 4,780.2

ERA - 2.13

Wins - 373

Losses - 188

Winning % - .665

Complete Games - 434

Shutouts - 79

Strike Outs - 2,502

Walks - 844

Hits - 4,218

HR Allowed - 91

Saves - 28

Adjusted ERA - 135

Average Per 162 Games: 274 IP - 2.13 ERA - 21 Wins - 10 Losses - 143 K - 48 BB - 241 Hits

#9) Robert "Bob" Gibson

Years Played: 1959-1975 (17 seasons)

Games Pitched: 528 (482 starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 3,884.1

ERA - 2.91

Wins - 251

Losses - 174

Winning % - .591

Complete Games - 255

Shutouts - 56

Strike Outs - 3,117

Walks - 1,336

Hits - 3,279

HR Allowed - 257

Saves - 6

Adjusted ERA - 127

Average Per 162 Games: 262 IP - 2.91 ERA - 16 Wins - 11 Losses - 209 K - 89 BB - 220 Hits

#10) Pedro Jaime Martinez

Years Played: 1992-current (11+ seasons)

Games Pitched: 320 (253 starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 1,853

ERA - 2.62

Wins - 148

Losses - 61

Winning % - .708

Complete Games - 37

Shutouts - 15

Strike Outs - 2,177

Walks - 498

Hits - 1,371

HR Allowed - 138

Saves - 3

Adjusted ERA - 170

Average Per 162 Games: 220 IP - 2.62 ERA - 18 Wins - 7 Losses - 258 K - 59 BB - 162 Hits

#11) Warren Edward Spahn

Years Played: 1942, 1946-1965 (21 seasons)

Games Pitched: 750 (665 starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 5,244

ERA - 3.09

Wins - 363

Losses - 245

Winning % - .597

Complete Games - 382

Shutouts - 63

Strike Outs - 2,583

Walks - 1,434

Hits - 4,830

HR Allowed - 434

Saves - 29

Adjusted ERA - 118

Average Per 162 Games: 252 IP - 3.09 ERA - 17 Wins - 11 Losses - 124 K - 68 BB - 232 Hits

#12) Sanford "Sandy" Koufax

Years Played: 1955-1966 (12 seasons)

Games Pitched: 397 (314 starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 2,324.1

ERA - 2.76

Wins - 165

Losses - 87

Winning % - .655

Complete Games - 137

Shutouts - 40

Strike Outs - 2,396

Walks - 817

Hits - 1,754

HR Allowed - 204

Saves - 9

Adjusted ERA - 131

Average Per 162 Games: 222 IP - 2.76 ERA - 15 Wins - 8 Losses - 229 K - 78 BB - 167 Hits

#13) Charles Augustus "Kid" Nichols

Years Played: 1890-1901, 1904-1906 (15 seasons)

Games Pitched: 620 (561 starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 5,056.1

ERA - 2.95

Wins - 361

Losses - 208

Winning % - .634

Complete Games - 531

Shutouts - 48

Strike Outs - 1,868

Walks - 1,268

Hits - 4,912

HR Allowed - 156

Saves - 17

Adjusted ERA - 139

Average Per 162 Games: 291 IP - 2.95 ERA - 20 Wins - 11 Losses - 107 K - 73 BB - 282 Hits

#14) Randall David "Randy" Johnson

Years Played: 1988-current (15+ seasons)

Games Pitched: 427 (417 starts)

Career Stats (through August 14th, 2002):

Innings Pitched - 2,938

ERA - 3.10

Wins - 217

Losses - 105

Winning % - .674

Complete Games - 83

Shutouts - 32

Strike Outs - 3,652

Walks - 1,214

Hits - 2,264

HR Allowed - 262

Saves - 2

Adjusted ERA - 143

Average Per 162 Games: 237 IP - 3.10 ERA - 18 Wins - 8 Losses - 292 K - 97 BB - 181 Hits

#15) James Alvin "Jim" Palmer

Years Played: 1965-1967, 1969-1984 (19 seasons)

Games Pitched: 558 (521 starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 3,948

ERA - 2.86

Wins - 268

Losses - 152

Winning % - .638

Complete Games - 211

Shutouts - 53

Strike Outs - 2,212

Walks - 1,311

Hits - 3,349

HR Allowed - 303

Saves - 4

Adjusted ERA - 125

Average Per 162 Games: 249 IP - 2.86 ERA - 16 Wins - 9 Losses - 139 K - 82 BB - 211 Hits

#16) Carl Owen Hubbell

Years Played: 1928-1943 (16 seasons)

Games Pitched: 535 (431 starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 3,590.1

ERA - 2.98

Wins - 253

Losses - 154

Winning % - .622

Complete Games - 260

Shutouts - 36

Strike Outs - 1,677

Walks - 725

Hits - 3,461

HR Allowed - 227

Saves - 33

Adjusted ERA - 130

Average Per 162 Games: 253 IP - 2.98 ERA - 17 Wins - 10 Losses - 118 K - 51 BB - 243 Hits

#17) Robert William Andrew "Bob" Feller

Years Played: 1936-1941, 1945-1956 (18 seasons)

Games Pitched: 570 (484 starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 3,827

ERA - 3.25

Wins - 266

Losses - 162

Winning % - .621

Complete Games - 279

Shutouts - 44

Strike Outs - 2,581

Walks - 1,764

Hits - 3,271

HR Allowed - 224

Saves - 21

Adjusted ERA - 122

Average Per 162 Games: 247 IP - 3.25 ERA - 17 Wins - 10 Losses - 166 K - 113 BB - 211 Hits

#18) Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford

Years Played: 1950, 1953-1967 (16 seasons)

Games Pitched: 498 (438 starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 3,170.1

ERA - 2.75

Wins - 236

Losses - 108

Winning % - .690

Complete Games - 156

Shutouts - 45

Strike Outs - 1,956

Walks - 1,086

Hits - 2,766

HR Allowed - 228

Saves - 10

Adjusted ERA - 132

Average Per 162 Games: 230 IP - 2.75 ERA - 17 Wins - 7 Losses - 142 K - 78 BB - 200 Hits

#19) Steven Norman "Steve" Carlton

Years Played: 1965-1988 (24 seasons)

Games Pitched: 741 (709 starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 5,217.1

ERA - 3.22

Wins - 329

Losses - 244

Winning % - .574

Complete Games - 254

Shutouts - 55

Strike Outs - 4,136

Walks - 1,833

Hits - 4,672

HR Allowed - 414

Saves - 2

Adjusted ERA - 115

Average Per 162 Games: 245 IP - 3.22 ERA - 15 Wins - 11 Losses - 193 K - 85 BB - 219 Hits

#20) Rik Aalbert "Bert" Blyleven

Years Played: 1970-1992 (22 seasons)

Games Pitched: 692 (685 starts)

Career Stats:

Innings Pitched - 4,970

ERA - 3.31

Wins - 287

Losses - 250

Winning % - .534

Complete Games - 242

Shutouts - 60

Strike Outs - 3,701

Walks - 1,322

Hits - 4,632

HR Allowed - 118

Saves - 0

Adjusted ERA - 118

Average Per 162 Games: 245 IP - 3.31 ERA - 14 Wins - 12 Losses - 182 K - 65 BB - 228 Hits

Received Serious Consideration (in no particular order): Robin Roberts - Juan Marichal - Eddie Plank - Dazzy Vance - Dizzy Dean - Jim Bunning - Phil Niekro - Fergie Jenkins - John Clarkson - Tim Keefe - Ed Walsh - Hal Newhouser - Gaylord Perry - Mordecai Brown - Amos Rusie - Nolan Ryan - Hoyt Wilhelm - Dennis Eckersley - Don Drysdale - Joe Wood