Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim65
My post wasn't a jab at Niekro, Niekro was better at preventing runs than Ryan, and he wasn't a 1st ballot HOFer.
For a guy who had all those strikeouts, no-hitters, fewest hits per 9 innings, etc, Ryan should have been better at preventing runs than he was.
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I agree. His walks and inability to control the ball well reduced his effectiveness. If he had control he might have been the greatest pitcher ever. I don’t think that’s a reasonable baseline to judge on though - ‘he could have been better’. So could everyone. I never said he was perfect. He had a phenomenal, remarkable, extraordinary and unique career.