The Pitchers: The 4 Levels of Greatness – Part 2

The CAWS Career Gauge has identified only fifty-one (51) 20 ^th century major league pitchers who have obvious Hall of Fame numbers.

In Part 1, I introduced the thirty-nine (39) 20 ^th century pitchers in Levels 1 and 2.  These were the pitchers identified by the CAWS Gauge as having posted HOF numbers during their playing careers and who (for the most part) also had the highest CAWS career scores among such pitchers.  We saw that of these thirty-nine (39) pitchers all who have been eligible are in Cooperstown except for three “old-timers” (pitched before 1930): Wilbur Cooper, Jack Powell and Carl Mays.

In this article, I will present the twelve (12) other 20 ^th century pitchers who posted HOF numbers according to the CAWS Gauge.  What we will see is that these pitchers did not pitch as many career innings as those in Levels 1 and 2 but still managed to turn in such outstanding numbers that they have clearly earned a place in the Hall of Fame .

Of the twelve (12) pitchers in Levels 3 and 4, six are in the Hall of Fame and four are not yet eligible.  Only two have been snubbed so far and both are relief pitchers: Lee Smith and Dan Quisenberry.

The CAWS Gauge has identified two standards to determine who has HOF numbers in Levels 3 and 4.  Each of these accomplishments is judged to be worthy of induction into the Hall of Fame.

Level 3– Pitchers with a CAWS score > 180 in Fewer than 2400 Innings  =  7

Level 4– Pitchers with a CAWS score > 155 in Fewer than 1500 Innings  =  5

When dealing with pitchers, it is essential to recognize the importance of taking into account the fact that there have been some truly outstanding pitchers who have established very impressive numbers in a relatively short period of time.  And, of course, to also recognize that relief specialists are going to pitch significantly fewer innings than starters.

Therefore, it is imperative to study the numbers very carefully in order to recognize (and to honor) the pitchers who fit into these two groups.  And I think the CAWS Gauge has done this.

I will present here those pitchers who fit into each of these two categories.  After that, I will indicate the sixteen (16) 20 ^th century major league pitchers who are in the Hall of Fame but who do not appear to have the career numbers to justify their being there.

All numbers include the 2010 season (unless indicated)
Bold  =  Hall of Famer
CWS  =  Career Win Shares
CV      =  Core Value (sum of win shares for 10 best seasons)
CAWS  =  Career Assessment/Win Shares  =  CV  +  .25(CWS – CV)
IP  =  Innings Pitched
*=  Deadball Era

Level 3  -  Pitchers with a CAWS score > 180 in Fewer than 2400 Innings

In the entire 20 ^th century, I have found only seven (7) pitchers who do not qualify for Levels 1 and 2 but who do satisfy the standard for Level 3.  And every one of these pitchers who has been eligible has been elected to the Hall. (I should also note that Mariano Rivera who is in Level 4 would also qualify here.)

These numbers represent career numbers for those five pitchers who are already in the Hall of Fame.  For Pedro Martinez and Roy Halladay, they represent their career totals through thirteen seasons.  That is, each of these two recent pitchers took only thirteen seasons to establish HOF pitching credentials.  Of course, neither is eligible yet for election to the Hall.

Five of these great pitchers were starters during their careers.  But Hoyt Wilhelm and Goose Gossage achieved their greatest recognition as relief pitchers.

In Level 4, we honor those “true” relief pitchers who had really outstanding careers.  That is, those few relief pitchers who were able to post a CAWS score of 155 in fewer than 1500 innings.  This is a very tough standard.  As you can see, only five relievers have met the standard so far.

Level 4  -  Pitchers with a CAWS score > 155 in Fewer than 1500 Innings

These are the onlyrelievers of the 20 ^th century who satisfy these criteria.

One look at Mariano Rivera’s numbers would appear to bear testimony to the fact that he is the best pure reliever in history.  His numbers really are far superior to any one else in this category.

Bruce Sutter is the only one on the list who is already in Cooperstown.  Lee Smith is still on the BBWAA ballot.  He got 45% of the vote in 2011 in his ninth year on the ballot – so he still has a chance at election.  Mariano and Billy Wagner are not yet eligible.  Only Dan Quisenberry in this group has been passed over completely.

Just for comparison purposes, I list here a few other very good relievers.  None of these pitchers reached the CAWS standard.

Note that Trevor Hoffman, despite over 600 saves, still does not quite make the mark.

These then are the twelve (12) pitchers who qualify for Levels 3 and 4.  These twelve together with the thirty-nine (39) pitchers in Levels 1 and 2 represent the fifty-one (51) 20 ^th century pitchers who have Hall of Fame numbers according to the CAWS Career Gauge.

It is interesting to note that of these fifty-one pitchers only four have so far been passed over completely for induction into the Hall: Wilbur Cooper, Jack Powell and Carl Mays (all of whom pitched before 1930) and Dan Quisenberry.

In light of these four deserving pitchers NOT being in Cooperstown, I will list here the sixteen (16) 20 ^th century pitchers who are in the Hall but do not have the career numbers to be there according to the CAWS Gauge.

Pitchers Who are in the Hall of Fame but lack HOF Numbers

Clearly, there will be some fans who will argue that one or more of these pitchers do indeed belong in Cooperstown.  Look how close Rube Waddell, Jim Bunning and Don Drysdale came to the CAWS standard.  And what about Whitey Ford’s performance in the post-season (which, of course, is not counted here)?

It is really NOT the purpose of the CAWS Career Gauge to try to dictate who does or does not deserve to be in the Hall of Fame.  Rather, it is the goal of the CAWS Gauge to point out those players who did indeed post obvious Hall of Fame numbersduring their playing careers – so that such players do receive the recognition to which they are due.

Or, put another way, why should Jim Rice be in the Hall of Fame and not Dick Allen?  Or why should Rollie Fingers be honored and not Dan Quisenberry?

Thanks for your time.

Mike Hoban
Professor Emeritus – City U of NY
Author of A GOOD CAWS: A Hall of Fame Handbook(2011)
http://booklocker.com/books/2968.html