[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by KCRfan1

Give me Koufax.

+1. Koufax in his prime was nearly unhittable.

His last 4 seasons, he was 97-27 (.782) with a 1.86 ERA. In 1,192 2/3 IP he struck out 1,228 batters while walking only 259. He allowed a laughable 6.2 hits per 9 innings, and his whip was a ridiculous 0.909.

Imagine what his career numbers would have been if he didn't have to retire at age 30. He was 28-9 with a 1.73 ERA and 317 Ks in 1966. His ERA + was 190, the best of his career.

He did all this while in constant pain.

For my money, Koufax achieved a level of pitching mastery that has never been equaled. Pedro Martinez, Greg Maddux and a handful of other modern pitchers, combined with Bob Gibson, Bob Feller, Christy Mathewson, Ed Walsh and Walter Johnson...are all on my short list. But Koufax could throw a no hitter any time he took the mound.

There is one guy that is quickly moving up my list, and he's young. Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in the game now, and he's looking like an all-time great. The kid is just scary good. Compare him to Koufax. Kershaw's ERA + is 190 in 2013, and I think he has one more start. He's matched Koufax's best season, and he's only 25.