Running MLB Thread 2007 #1

This is some seriously funny shit. I found it on a Cubs message board:

 

Gerry Callahan predicts that A-Rod will be wearing a Red Sox uniform next year. I think he's being serious.

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=195756&format=text

Seems kind of like a reach to me.

 

If we could review every season from 1980 until 2007 and year-by-year the fate of the world rests in one starter's hands I don't think I'd take Schilling any year except possibly the 2001 version. Some are obvious like the 1988 Hershiser, 1999 Martinez, 1995 Maddux.

I understand he's a solid big-game performer, but the best of this era. Nah.

As of now I'd take Smoltz or Santana because if they won I knew I wouldn't have to hear about it for the rest of my life.

 

Schilling ain't the greatest big-game pitcher of his generation, not with only 15 career postseason starts/appearances to his credit (and 6 of those coming in one year, 2001.)

Smoltz has to be the choice here. Schilling's numbers are equally as dominant, but almost exactly half the sample size.

Schilling: 8-2, 2.06 ERA, 109.1 IP, 79 H, 25 ER, 22 BB, 104 K
Smoltz: 15-4, 2.65 ERA, 207 IP, 168 H, 61 ER, 67 BB, 194 K, 4 SV (in 13 relief appearances + 27 starts)

 

What about Andy Pettitte?

 

14-9 record by high ERA (over 4.00) and given up over 200 hits.

 

I'll take Smoltz.