Greatest non-consecutive pitching peak of all time?

[Stax]

Non-consecutive so someone doesn't get screwed by 1 random year. Some names to start with:

Walter Johnson (1910-15) (1918-19)
10: 1.36 ERA (183 ERA+), 0.914 WHIP, 313/76 K/BB, 370.0 IP
11: 1.90 ERA (172 ERA+), 1.123 WHIP, 207/70 K/BB, 322.3 IP
12: 1.39 ERA (242 ERA+), 0.908 WHIP, 303/76 K/BB, 369.0 IP
13: 1.14 ERA (259 ERA+), 0.780 WHIP, 243/38 K/BB, 346.0 IP
14: 1.72 ERA (164 ERA+), 0.971 WHIP, 225/74 K/BB, 371.7 IP
15: 1.55 ERA (191 ERA+), 0.933 WHIP, 203/56 K/BB, 336.7 IP
18: 1.27 ERA (214 ERA+), 0.954 WHIP, 162/70 K/BB, 326.0 IP
19: 1.49 ERA (214 ERA+), 0.985 WHIP, 147/51 K/BB, 290.3 IP

Sandy Koufax (63-66)
63: 1.88 ERA (159 ERA+), 0.875 WHIP, 306/58 K/BB, 311.0 IP
64: 1.74 ERA (187 ERA+), 0.928 WHIP, 223/53 K/BB, 223.0 IP
65: 2.04 ERA (160 ERA+), 0.855 WHIP, 382/71 K/BB, 335.7 IP
66: 1.73 ERA (190 ERA+), 0.985 WHIP, 317/77 K/BB, 323.0 IP

Roger Clemens (86-87) (90-92) (94) (97-98) (05-06)
86: 2.48 ERA (169 ERA+), 0.969 WHIP, 238/67 K/BB, 254.0 IP
87: 2.97 ERA (154 ERA+), 1.175 WHIP, 256/83 K/BB, 281.7 IP
90: 1.93 ERA (213 ERA+), 1.082 WHIP, 209/54 K/BB, 228.3 IP
91: 2.62 ERA (164 ERA+), 1.047 WHIP, 241/65 K/BB, 271.3 IP
92: 2.41 ERA (175 ERA+), 1.074 WHIP, 208/62 K/BB, 246.7 IP
94: 2.85 ERA (177 ERA+), 1.143 WHIP, 168/71 K/BB, 170.7 IP
97: 2.05 ERA (221 ERA+), 1.030 WHIP, 292/68 K/BB, 264.0 IP
98: 2.65 ERA (174 ERA+), 1.095 WHIP, 271/88 K/BB, 234.7 IP
05: 1.87 ERA (226 ERA+), 1.008 WHIP, 185/62 K/BB, 211.3 IP
06: 2.30 ERA (193 ERA+), 1.041 WHIP, 102/29 K/BB, 113.3 IP

Greg Maddux (92-98)
92: 2.18 ERA (166 ERA+), 1.011 WHIP, 199/70 K/BB, 268.0 IP
93: 2.36 ERA (171 ERA+), 1.049 WHIP, 197/52 K/BB, 267.0 IP
94: 1.56 ERA (271 ERA+), 0.896 WHIP, 156/31 K/BB, 202.0 IP
95: 1.63 ERA (262 ERA+), 0.811 WHIP, 181/23 K/BB, 209.7 IP
96: 2.72 ERA (162 ERA+), 1.033 WHIP, 172/28 K/BB, 245.0 IP
97: 2.20 ERA (189 ERA+), 0.946 WHIP, 177/20 K/BB, 232.7 IP
98: 2.22 ERA (187 ERA+), 0.980 WHIP, 204/45 K/BB, 251.0 IP

Pedro Martinez (97-03)
97: 1.90 ERA (219 ERA+), 0.932 WHIP, 305/67 K/BB, 241.3 IP
98: 2.89 ERA (163 ERA+), 1.091 WHIP, 251/67 K/BB, 233.7 IP
99: 2.07 ERA (243 ERA+), 0.923 WHIP, 313/37 K/BB, 213.3 IP
00: 1.74 ERA (291 ERA+), 0.737 WHIP, 284/32 K/BB, 217.0 IP
01: 2.39 ERA (189 ERA+), 0.934 WHIP, 163/25 K/BB, 116.7 IP
02: 2.26 ERA (202 ERA+), 0.923 WHIP, 239/40 K/BB, 199.3 IP
03: 2.22 ERA (210 ERA+), 1.039 WHIP, 206/47 K/BB, 186.7 IP

Randy Johnson (97) (99-02) (04)
97: 2.28 ERA (196 ERA+), 1.190 WHIP, 291/77 K/BB, 213.0 IP
99: 2.48 ERA (186 ERA+), 1.020 WHIP, 364/70 K/BB, 271.7 IP
00: 2.64 ERA (181 ERA+), 1.118 WHIP, 347/76 K/BB, 248.7 IP
01: 2.49 ERA (188 ERA+), 1.009 WHIP, 372/71 K/BB, 249.7 IP
02: 2.32 ERA (197 ERA+), 1.031 WHIP, 334/71 K/BB, 260.0 IP
04: 2.60 ERA (177 ERA+), 0.900 WHIP, 290/44 K/BB, 245.7 IP

Clemens has the most disjointed looking peak (not surprising given the suspicions about what brought about his later 2nd peak). I'd say either Walter Johnson, Pedro, or Randy Johnson.

[ADD]

The Jew

[Mustard]

I think its kinda hard not to vote for Pedro here.

[Jericho]

Johnson had a shitload of strikeouts

[Stax]

I think its kinda hard not to vote for Pedro here.

I voted for Walter Johnson comfortably. And Randy Johnson is basically Pedro over more innings per season. There are arguments to be made many ways.

[CrazyCarl]

And Randy Johnson is basically Pedro over more innings per season.
in the National League

psshhh

[Stax]

in the National League

psshhh

Oh, Pedro is certainly impressive. Remember ERA+ adjusts for league average though.

[Stax]

Anyone have any other, less common, candidates?

[nuclearjew]

Oh, Pedro is certainly impressive. Remember ERA+ adjusts for league average though.
I'm pretty sure CrazyCarl knows more about baseball than you do.

[Stax]

I'm pretty sure CrazyCarl knows more about baseball than you do.

Ok? I was just saying that because he mentioned the league despite there being a league-adjusted number right there.

[nuclearjew]

Ok? I was just saying that because he mentioned the league despite there being a league-adjusted number right there.
ERA+ doesn't adjust for Ks, which are easier to come by when you strikeout a lot of pitchers.

[Stax]

ERA+ doesn't adjust for Ks, which are easier to come by when you strikeout a lot of pitchers.

But ERA+ adjusts for the league average earned run average. Which accounts for facing pitchers in the NL vs. a DH in the AL.

[nuclearjew]

And Pedro's ERA+ is significantly higher.

[Stax]

And Pedro's ERA+ is significantly higher.

Yes, though over fewer innings in the listed seasons. 1408 for Pedro, 1488 for Randy. Doesn't sound huge, but when you consider it took Pedro a full season more to get there... Would you rather have Pedro putting up a 215ish ERA+ over 201 innings (as he did, on average, over that peak) or RJ putting up a 190ish ERA+ over 248 innings?

I'd say Pedro > RJ too, I just don't think NL pitchers are somehow less than. They just need to be evaluated within their league, like any other player.

[nuclearjew]

I'd rather have Randy over Pedro any day of the week. They don't make horses like they used to.

[CrazyCarl]

I bet Randy Johnson took steroids

[Stax]

I'd rather Randy over Pedro any day of the week. They don't make horses like they used to.

http://www.nndb.com/people/823/000047682/randy-johnson-1-sized.jpg

Oh yeah. Gives me an idea for a stupid crosssport poll.

[CrazyCarl]

Randy Johnson would dominate on the Beach Volleyball circuit

[nuclearjew]

Randy Johnson looks like a Whitesnake roadie.

[ADD]

Looks like?

[Stax]

Randy Johnson looks like a Whitesnake roadie.

He's probably the only guy who can put that amp or speaker at the top of the pile without a ladder.

[nuclearjew]

That must be how he got those back injuries. DAMN YOU WHITESNAKE!!!

[Willam]

Walter "Big Train" Johnson! What a bad ass.

110 career shutouts
Most consecutive innings without allowing a homerun (369)
Only pitcher in MLB history to win 20 games AND hit .400 in a season.

AND

Won the pitching Triple Crown 3 times.