Mike Mussina wins #260 H.O.F.?

TheThrill

I just wonder how many think he's getting close to a H.O.F. career.

I persoanlly think he's a stud. I remember him at Stanford. I knew he was going to be great. 260 wins is obviously not a magic number, but with Clemens steriod accusations still haninging around and Bonds going to trial for his. It seems that time may show that the "clean" players may carry more weight than they used to. Right now he's got 260 wins with 149 losses,2705 K's, 3.70 ERA, 57 complete games, 23 shutouts, and a nice long double figure win column that everyone likes to see.

Back in the day, guys like Drysdale, Koufax, Bunning, Feller, Ford, Gibson, Marichal, Palmer, were voted by their sure dominance. No hitters, world series wins, unreal ERA titles, strikeouts, and perrenial 20 game winners. You obviously cant compare today's players to then. Nor can you compare the achievements of those eras. But, they all have around 250 wins. Give or take.

But you have to admitt. If Mussina wins 6-8 more this year, then pulls another 10-15 next year. You looking at a steriod free 280 game winner with close to 3000 K's. Maybe not 3000, but knocking at the door.

Dont get me wrong, I simply love Clemens. Think he's the best I have ever seen. Bar none. Im only 37 though. You can look at stats all day long, but it is not the same as watching a player grow and achieve year by year. As much as I respect Clemens, this stuff is very troubling. Not just him......everyone out there. They had a choice to take or not to take. Taking meant HUGE paychecks. Not taking meant MAYBE getting a huge paycheck. At the end of the day, it really is a business. Cant say Im surprised by anything anymore.

But Mussina as of now is a clean machine. I think that gives him a ton of extra weight at the end of the day. I think just one more double figure win in his column next year would get my vote in a heartbeat. It's not just the numbers though. While homeruns are going up every year as far as 500 guys go. Pitchers are having one hell of a time racking up 20 win seasons. 300 is getting much tougher to come by. There may not be many out there who will do this again. Im sure it isn't the end of the 300 game winner. But the 500 homerun club is getting bigger, and quicker too.

Any thoughts?

SeatedCoin

Great minds think alike.

"Mussina is really low key and often keeps to himself but is a really bright guy and cerebrally boring during most of his interviews. If anybody can re-invent himself and stick around for another 2 or 3 years it will be him. I think all the steroid crap that went on with Clemens and others will help Mussina's chances because he is squeeky clean as they come and the real deal. His pitching resume speaks for itself. "

Moose Linky

thegemmintman

First American League pitcher to ever record at least 10 wins for 17 straight seasons. And he did it all in the American League East. Now that's a tough act!

bman90278

I think Mussina is approaching HOF status. He's getting within a couple seasons of 3000K's and the same for 300 W's if he can pitch at or above 200innings with his current pace this year. And like the others said, he's in the AL East and he stayed clean in the Steroids ERA and he also should finish with at least 100 more W's than L's. I really think he needs to finish this year and another year very strong to be sure HOF as you never know about the writers.

gregmo32

Is there any pitcher 100 games or more over .500 for their career who is not a HOFer?

SDSportsFan

<< <i>Is there any pitcher 100 games or more over .500 for their career who is not a HOFer? >>




The only one I could find is R. L. Caruthers, who finished with a lifetime 218-99 W-L record, playing from 1884-1893.

gregmo32

How did you find that out? Great info!

SDSportsFan

<< <i>How did you find that out? Great info! >>




I went to www.baseball-reference.com, pulled up the all-time wins list for pitchers, and then clicked on each pitcher who isn't in the Hall of Fame.


Steve

Connecticoin

He has to get to 300 for the HOF. Otherwise, Bert Blyleven will burn down Cooperstown.

bman90278

<< <i> He has to get to 300 for the HOF. Otherwise, Bert Blyleven will burn down Cooperstown. >>

BobaFett72

Mussina is a good, above average pitcher who played for some good Baltimore teams and some very good Yankees teams.
Blylevn should go in long before Mussina... he has a better ERA, 4 x's as many CG's and twice as many shutouts and nearly 4000K's.

WeekendHacker

<< <i>He has to get to 300 for the HOF. Otherwise, Bert Blyleven will burn down Cooperstown. >>

Not exactly what I thought but Blyleven certainly came to mind when Mussina and HOF were in the same sentence. If Bert doesn't get in Moose certainly doesn't get in.

bobbybakeriv

I don't think he is a HOF'er and I am a Yankee fan. Solid pitcher for a long time, but not spectacular.

TheThrill

17 straight 10+ win seasons. Though he is no Greg Maddux..........he is the Greg Maddux of the American League. Consistant, gets his K's, even though his fastball is not blazing. Hit's his spots, and most of all. Walks the walk, instead of talking the talk.