Comments on: Jamie Moyer’s incredible record-setting performance

By: Baseball-Reference Blog » Blog Archive » All-time Progressive Strikeout Leaders

Tue, 11 May 2010 12:49:27 +0000

[...] my recent post about Jamie Moyer's complete game shutout, reader JeffW rocked my world by commenting that Moyer is now the active leader in career [...]

By: Frank Clingenpeel

Frank Clingenpeel — Tue, 11 May 2010 01:13:39 +0000

Impressive, but John doesn't really belong on this list. True, he was in his forties -- but his surgically built left wing wasn't even a teenager yet at this point. Rock on Moyer! Push it to the half-century mark!

By: Frank Clingenpeel

Frank Clingenpeel — Tue, 11 May 2010 01:02:52 +0000

In my opinin, both Moyer and Jim Kaat should be in there -- if, that is, Moyer can ever be induced to retire, which might require the services of a medical team and a LOT to tranquilizers. In this era of steroids and all, it is a great relief to see that some of us old coots can still make it just on chutzpah.

By: Larry

Larry — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:23:08 +0000

I heard someone mention yesterday that Moyer is the first pitcher to throw shutouts in 4 decades (80's, 90's, etc.)

Moyer's is a record of longevity, but the question I always ask myself about a player for HOF is whether they were among the best of their era for a substantial period of time. I don't think I can say that about Moyer.

By: Baseball-Reference Blog » Blog Archive » Poll: Does Jamie Moyer deserve to be in the HOF?

Mon, 10 May 2010 20:48:41 +0000

[...] go back and read the posts and comments about Moyer here and then vote in the poll [...]

By: Michael

Michael — Mon, 10 May 2010 02:31:37 +0000

Andy, fascinating case indeed. Little postseason to be sure, but he was very good in the playoffs with the M's, effectively being their #1 in '01, pitching them past the Indians into the ALCS. Man, if we could have gotten that series back to Seattle like Lou vowed, it would have been Moyer and Garcia for games 6 & 7 and I would have liked our chances at home with them. Look at his postseason WHIP in '01. He was as effective as it gets and he did it all with brains. If he gets into the Hall it will be with the worst stuff and the best mind ever. And you know how players say, "Scoreboard"? Well, if his pace holds for 2 years past '10, you could similarly say, "Record" (300-225).

By: JeffW

JeffW — Mon, 10 May 2010 02:14:02 +0000

Andy, I somewhat disagree.

I think Omar eventually gets in, because he is the all-time standard-bearer as a defensive shortstop, as well as a decent offensive producer.

I feel Mac isn't in, not because of the homer count, but mostly because of the steroids. If he had done it cleanly, though, I think the vote might have come out differently.

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 10 May 2010 01:55:09 +0000

Interesting take, Jeff. I do think AB are taken into account for hitters. If Vizquel gets 3000 hits he will likely be the first non HOFer to do so. McGwire's got 500 HR but doesn't look like he gets in, although next year's vote after his admission will be interesting.
I love Moyer and certainly his longevity alone suggests he must have a significant value.

By: JeffW

JeffW — Mon, 10 May 2010 01:44:38 +0000

What would you say is the determining factor regarding HoF quals, in terms of games/years it takes to collect "X" number of wins?

Should it be -- for instance -- 275, however long it takes? If the guy is still pitching effectively enough to be the team leader in victories over the past three seasons, and that team is a repeat pennant winner the last two...

Moyer is already in the top two percent of all pitchers in career victories. Hitters are never judged in terms of how many ABs it took to get 3,000 hits or 500 homers.

I know the "He was never among the best two or three pitchers in his league for a prolonged period" argument, regarding Moyer. But, what about the career pile of numbers? He was good enough to get to where he is, which is better than nearly everyone else.

For my money, John, Blyleven, and Kaat should also be in.

Perseverence and dedication to craft should also count for something. And, as Spartan Bill says, character should also be worth consideration.

Which leads to one more thing among Jamie's records: He is (I believe) the only person to win all four of baseball's major humanitarian awards: The Hutch Award, The Lou Gehrig Award, The Roberto Clemente Award, and the Branch Rickey Award.

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 09 May 2010 20:36:07 +0000

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