Best lefty off all time? My vote is Koufax!

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by Snowman

I think Grove was probably better than Spahn. But I can't say that with confidence without spending a significant amount of time making adjustments to control for the level of skill of the league in general during their respective eras.

But even leaving league adjustments aside, pretending that the league was every bit as strong when Grove was pitching (which it most certainly was not), Koufax still outperformed Grove's numbers across the board in the postseason, and it's not close. The only statistic that Grove was better at was BB/9, but Grove also had a larger strike zone to work with than Koufax did (top of the shoulders to bottom of the knees vs armit to top of the knees). Regardless, Koufax put significantly fewer batters on base, was scored on half as much, and struck out batters almost twice as often. What's there to compare? Koufax was significantly better than Grove in the postseason (and Grove was great).

Serious question. I don't know the answer, but was there any pitcher ever, right or left-handed, who was better in the postseason than Koufax with at least 50+ IP?

Either way, postseason performance isn't all that interesting to me. The sample sizes are just too small for it to be as meaningful as most people want it to be.

If I'm reading a more recent post by member "Snowman" correctly, during 3 of Koufax' 4 WS years, he had the exact same strike zone as Grove.

But, if you use the "statistics in a vacuum" approach, which I was trying not to do in my original post, you are correct: Koufax has better stats.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

If I'm reading a more recent post by member "Snowman" correctly, during 3 of Koufax' 4 WS years, he had the exact same strike zone as Grove.

But, if you use the "statistics in a vacuum" approach, which I was trying not to do in my original post, you are correct: Koufax has better stats.

I would take either one of them as my greatest and I would love to be have been able to see either pitch in person

[Snowman]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

If I'm reading a more recent post by member "Snowman" correctly, during 3 of Koufax' 4 WS years, he had the exact same strike zone as Grove.

But, if you use the "statistics in a vacuum" approach, which I was trying not to do in my original post, you are correct: Koufax has better stats.

The problem with Spahn and Grove is that once you control for the factors outside of the vacuum, both players' numbers get significantly worse. But apparently, I'd have to prove that in order for anyone to believe it in this thread. However, even if I did, you guys would still argue with the proof, so what's the point? I already know that Grove and Spahn's numbers are deceiving. If you were a more reasonable and receptive audience, I might be motivated to prove it. But alas, here we are.

Just keep pointing out W/L records. You guys got this!

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Snowman

The problem with Spahn and Grove is that once you control for the factors outside of the vacuum, both players' numbers get significantly worse. But apparently, I'd have to prove that in order for anyone to believe it in this thread. However, even if I did, you guys would still argue with the proof, so what's the point? I already know that Grove and Spahn's numbers are deceiving. If you were a more reasonable and receptive audience, I might be motivated to prove it. But alas, here we are.

Just keep pointing out W/L records. You guys got this!

Yes, we realize you can’t and won’t put up a shred of evidence to support your assertions. Even the homeless guy realizes this.

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by Snowman

The problem with Spahn and Grove is that once you control for the factors outside of the vacuum, both players' numbers get significantly worse. But apparently, I'd have to prove that in order for anyone to believe it in this thread. However, even if I did, you guys would still argue with the proof, so what's the point? I already know that Grove and Spahn's numbers are deceiving. If you were a more reasonable and receptive audience, I might be motivated to prove it. But alas, here we are.

Just keep pointing out W/L records. You guys got this!

Come on man, you came up with something on another thread I thought was genuinely amazing and funny and gave you props. This is just common trolling. I could prove it but you would argue with me so I won’t? You know you’re trolling at that point.

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by Snowman

The problem with Spahn and Grove is that once you control for the factors outside of the vacuum, both players' numbers get significantly worse. But apparently, I'd have to prove that in order for anyone to believe it in this thread. However, even if I did, you guys would still argue with the proof, so what's the point? I already know that Grove and Spahn's numbers are deceiving. If you were a more reasonable and receptive audience, I might be motivated to prove it. But alas, here we are.

Just keep pointing out W/L records. You guys got this!

You claim to be superior to the rest of us because you say you are a statistician. Yet you continue to avoid providing any meaningful statistical analysis to support your view.

But we are too stupid to understand the complex statistical analysis you continue to fail to provide. You, sir, are a troll and an arrogant one at that. Arrogant to the point of being amusing... and far from the smartest person in this room.

All you want to do is dismiss things most managers, and general managers, and team owners value most: Wins and dependability over the long haul.

Managers ask their starting pitchers to do one thing - keep the game close, to give their team a good chance to win. I doubt many managers send their starter to the mound by saying, "See if you can get 10 strikeouts today..."