Dazzy Vance did not win a major league game until he was 31 years old. Throughout the teens, the 19-teens, he was a minor league pitcher who had several looks from major league teams, but couldn’t stay healthy and couldn’t find the strike zone.
I’m on the road and away from my library, so I’m going to tell this story from memory and hope I have most of it right. In the winter of 1919-1920, playing poker with some buddies in a small city in the South, Dazzy pounded the table in frustration when a hand went against him. His arm exploded in unbearable pain. This was before emergency rooms, and they had to rustle up a doctor the way it was done then, by asking around and trying to make a phone call to get somebody to come. Dazzy was operated on two or three hours later, in a private home in the middle of the night, by a doctor whose name he never knew. Whatever the doctor did, however, it ended twelve years of arm trouble. The best guess is that Dazzy had floating bone chips in the elbow, and the doctor removed them. Dazzy, who typically would pitch 150 innings a season before then with control troubles, was able to pitch 250 innings a year after that, at a Hall of Fame level.
Dazzy led the National League in strikeouts every year from 1922 to 1928, which doesn’t capture what he was really doing. It was an era of very few strikeouts. The National League average in all of those years was less than three strikeouts per nine innings. Dazzy was striking out seven to eight. No other National League pitcher in those years struck out more than 155 batters in a season. Dazzy struck out 262, 221, 200, 197 and 184. His strikeout totals, relative to the league norms, are higher than Bob Feller’s, higher than Koufax, higher than Nolan Ryan, higher than anybody. These are the top ten “Strike Zone Win Totals” since 1900:
|
|
First
|
Last
|
Team
|
Year
|
KZW
|
|
|
Dazzy
|
Vance
|
Brooklyn Dodgers
|
1924
|
47
|
|
|
Rube
|
Waddell
|
Philadelphia Athletics
|
1904
|
43
|
|
|
Rube
|
Waddell
|
Philadelphia Athletics
|
1902
|
41
|
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
Cleveland Indians
|
1946
|
41
|
|
|
Dazzy
|
Vance
|
Brooklyn Dodgers
|
1925
|
40
|
|
|
Rube
|
Waddell
|
Philadelphia Athletics
|
1903
|
39
|
|
|
Christy
|
Mathewson
|
New York Giants
|
1903
|
39
|
|
|
Christy
|
Mathewson
|
New York Giants
|
1908
|
38
|
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
Los Angeles Angels
|
1973
|
38
|
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
Los Angeles Angels
|
1974
|
37
|
Vance in 1924 struck out 262 batters when the league average was 2.77 strikeouts per nine innings. That computes to 47 Stike Zone Wins—a modern record. Dazzy also walked some people, but not like Nolan Ryan did; we’ll talk about Nolan later.
Is the 47 wins a realistic number? Sure it is. What’s the record for “natural wins?” in the 20th century. It’s 41. Two pitchers in the 20th century were credited with 40 wins; five are credited with 40 strike zone wins. His impact was huge. He won the MVP Award. He went 28-6, lifting a team that was 64-56 otherwise within one game of the National League title. It’s just a massive season. This is Vance year by year:
|
Pitcher
|
Year
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
SO
|
BB
|
KZW
|
KZL
|
KZWPCT
|
Power Index
|
|
Vance
|
1915
|
0
|
4
|
.000
|
18
|
21
|
2
|
4
|
.372
|
1.863
|
|
Vance
|
1918
|
0
|
0
|
.000
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
.000
|
1.232
|
|
Vance
|
1922
|
18
|
12
|
.600
|
134
|
94
|
24
|
17
|
.593
|
1.510
|
|
Vance
|
1923
|
18
|
15
|
.545
|
197
|
100
|
36
|
18
|
.669
|
1.709
|
|
Vance
|
1924
|
28
|
6
|
.824
|
262
|
77
|
47
|
15
|
.763
|
1.809
|
|
Vance
|
1925
|
22
|
9
|
.710
|
221
|
66
|
40
|
12
|
.775
|
1.735
|
|
Vance
|
1926
|
9
|
10
|
.474
|
140
|
58
|
25
|
10
|
.713
|
1.893
|
|
Vance
|
1927
|
16
|
15
|
.516
|
184
|
69
|
32
|
12
|
.722
|
1.467
|
|
Vance
|
1928
|
22
|
10
|
.688
|
200
|
72
|
36
|
11
|
.758
|
1.528
|
|
Vance
|
1929
|
14
|
13
|
.519
|
126
|
47
|
22
|
7
|
.754
|
1.137
|
|
Vance
|
1930
|
17
|
15
|
.531
|
173
|
55
|
27
|
9
|
.750
|
1.265
|
|
Vance
|
1931
|
11
|
13
|
.458
|
150
|
53
|
24
|
9
|
.720
|
1.353
|
|
Vance
|
1932
|
12
|
11
|
.522
|
103
|
57
|
17
|
11
|
.596
|
1.423
|
|
Vance
|
1933
|
6
|
2
|
.750
|
67
|
28
|
12
|
6
|
.668
|
1.577
|
|
Vance
|
1934
|
1
|
3
|
.250
|
42
|
25
|
6
|
5
|
.568
|
1.253
|
|
Vance
|
1935
|
3
|
2
|
.600
|
28
|
16
|
4
|
3
|
.585
|
1.264
|
|
Career
|
|
197
|
140
|
.585
|
|
|
354
|
149
|
.704
|
1.527
|
In the interests of accuracy, though, it was an era in which there were very few power pitchers. Nolan Ryan pitched in an era in which there were more power pitchers—not like now, where everybody throws 90, but more than the 1920s. This perhaps exaggerates Vance’s impact.
Vance introduces us to the reality that there are some pitchers whose Strike Zone Wins and Losses just really do not resemble anyone’s official wins and losses. Dazzy lost a lot of games with walks, but he won so many that his percentage is the highest of all time.
We looked in Part I of this article at the top ten career winning percentages. Let’s extend that now to the top 50. I’ll use Bold Face for the Hall of Famers:
|
Rank
|
First
|
Last
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
KZW
|
KZL
|
KZWPCT
|
Power Index
|
|
1
|
Dazzy
|
Vance
|
197
|
140
|
.585
|
354
|
149
|
.704
|
1.527
|
|
2
|
Cy
|
Young
|
511
|
316
|
.618
|
464
|
203
|
.696
|
.816
|
|
3
|
Christy
|
Mathewson
|
373
|
188
|
.665
|
347
|
154
|
.693
|
.942
|
|
4
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
417
|
279
|
.599
|
499
|
222
|
.692
|
1.096
|
|
5
|
Curt
|
Schilling
|
216
|
146
|
.597
|
237
|
106
|
.690
|
.947
|
|
6
|
Pedro
|
Martinez
|
214
|
99
|
.684
|
242
|
112
|
.683
|
1.145
|
|
7
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
300
|
141
|
.680
|
356
|
166
|
.682
|
1.192
|
|
8
|
Dizzy
|
Dean
|
150
|
83
|
.644
|
177
|
84
|
.678
|
1.195
|
|
9
|
Deacon
|
Phillippe
|
189
|
109
|
.634
|
140
|
67
|
.677
|
.713
|
|
10
|
Carl
|
Hubbell
|
253
|
154
|
.622
|
257
|
123
|
.676
|
.952
|
|
11
|
Bret
|
Saberhagen
|
167
|
117
|
.588
|
148
|
71
|
.676
|
.768
|
|
12
|
Dennis
|
Eckersley
|
197
|
171
|
.535
|
232
|
112
|
.675
|
.943
|
|
13
|
Noodles
|
Hahn
|
130
|
94
|
.580
|
148
|
72
|
.672
|
.979
|
|
14
|
Babe
|
Adams
|
194
|
140
|
.581
|
153
|
75
|
.670
|
.684
|
|
15
|
Mike
|
Mussina
|
270
|
153
|
.638
|
226
|
114
|
.665
|
.858
|
|
16
|
Jim
|
Whitney
|
191
|
204
|
.484
|
210
|
107
|
.662
|
.816
|
|
17
|
Tommy
|
Bond
|
193
|
115
|
.627
|
176
|
90
|
.662
|
.862
|
|
18
|
Pete
|
Alexander
|
373
|
208
|
.642
|
326
|
169
|
.658
|
.858
|
|
19
|
Rube
|
Waddell
|
193
|
143
|
.574
|
324
|
169
|
.657
|
1.498
|
|
20
|
Ferguson
|
Jenkins
|
284
|
226
|
.557
|
301
|
158
|
.655
|
.918
|
|
21
|
Robin
|
Roberts
|
286
|
245
|
.539
|
252
|
133
|
.655
|
.740
|
|
22
|
Jon
|
Lieber
|
129
|
121
|
.516
|
114
|
60
|
.653
|
.727
|
|
23
|
Ron
|
Guidry
|
170
|
91
|
.651
|
181
|
97
|
.651
|
1.046
|
|
24
|
Larry
|
Jansen
|
122
|
89
|
.578
|
106
|
58
|
.649
|
.836
|
|
25
|
Ed
|
Walsh
|
195
|
126
|
.607
|
215
|
117
|
.648
|
1.009
|
|
26
|
Brad
|
Radke
|
148
|
139
|
.516
|
116
|
64
|
.646
|
.661
|
|
27
|
Syl
|
Johnson
|
112
|
117
|
.489
|
148
|
81
|
.646
|
.953
|
|
28
|
Don
|
Newcombe
|
149
|
90
|
.623
|
129
|
71
|
.646
|
.837
|
|
29
|
Toad
|
Ramsey
|
114
|
124
|
.479
|
203
|
113
|
.644
|
1.353
|
|
30
|
Rick
|
Reed
|
93
|
76
|
.550
|
74
|
41
|
.643
|
.675
|
|
31
|
Preacher
|
Roe
|
127
|
84
|
.602
|
128
|
72
|
.641
|
.941
|
|
32
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
295
|
160
|
.648
|
379
|
212
|
.641
|
1.316
|
|
33
|
Harvey
|
Haddix
|
136
|
113
|
.546
|
161
|
90
|
.641
|
1.011
|
|
34
|
Schoolboy
|
Rowe
|
158
|
101
|
.610
|
132
|
75
|
.638
|
.837
|
|
35
|
Bert
|
Blyleven
|
287
|
250
|
.534
|
355
|
202
|
.638
|
1.008
|
|
36
|
Juan
|
Marichal
|
243
|
142
|
.631
|
201
|
114
|
.637
|
.809
|
|
37
|
Paul
|
Derringer
|
223
|
212
|
.513
|
226
|
130
|
.635
|
.879
|
|
38
|
Greg
|
Maddux
|
355
|
227
|
.610
|
263
|
151
|
.635
|
.744
|
|
39
|
David
|
Wells
|
239
|
157
|
.604
|
180
|
104
|
.634
|
.743
|
|
40
|
Don
|
Mossi
|
101
|
80
|
.558
|
93
|
54
|
.632
|
.857
|
|
41
|
Greg
|
Swindell
|
123
|
122
|
.502
|
129
|
75
|
.632
|
.822
|
|
42
|
Shane
|
Reynolds
|
114
|
96
|
.543
|
104
|
61
|
.632
|
.829
|
|
43
|
Jim
|
Bunning
|
224
|
184
|
.549
|
263
|
154
|
.630
|
1.000
|
|
44
|
John
|
Candelaria
|
177
|
122
|
.592
|
155
|
91
|
.630
|
.878
|
|
45
|
Javier
|
Vazquez
|
127
|
129
|
.496
|
150
|
88
|
.630
|
.947
|
|
46
|
Rollie
|
Fingers
|
114
|
118
|
.491
|
127
|
74
|
.630
|
1.064
|
|
47
|
Roger
|
Clemens
|
354
|
184
|
.658
|
389
|
229
|
.630
|
1.131
|
|
48
|
Ken
|
Raffensberger
|
119
|
154
|
.436
|
108
|
65
|
.626
|
.724
|
|
49
|
Kid
|
Nichols
|
361
|
208
|
.634
|
332
|
200
|
.624
|
.948
|
|
50
|
Sandy
|
Koufax
|
165
|
87
|
.655
|
215
|
131
|
.622
|
1.340
|
Even at the bottom of the top 50, we’re dealing mostly with Hall of Famers. I decided to put Don Mossi in the Hall of Fame. I figured I owed it to him. Also, from drawing up this list, we get a trivia question: Can you name the only Hall of Fame pitcher ever with a below-average strikeout to walk ratio? It’s Mickey Welch, 19th century 300-game winner. But again, most pitchers, as you can see, have similarities between their actual and strike zone wins and losses. Let’s break out Jim Bunning, just because he is very interesting:
|
Pitcher
|
Year
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
SO
|
BB
|
KZW
|
KZL
|
KZWPCT
|
Power Index
|
|
Bunning
|
1955
|
3
|
5
|
.375
|
37
|
32
|
4
|
4
|
.507
|
1.461
|
|
Bunning
|
1956
|
5
|
1
|
.833
|
34
|
28
|
4
|
3
|
.512
|
1.190
|
|
Bunning
|
1957
|
20
|
8
|
.714
|
182
|
72
|
19
|
10
|
.652
|
1.000
|
|
Bunning
|
1958
|
14
|
12
|
.538
|
177
|
79
|
18
|
12
|
.601
|
1.221
|
|
Bunning
|
1959
|
17
|
13
|
.567
|
201
|
75
|
20
|
11
|
.650
|
1.124
|
|
Bunning
|
1960
|
11
|
14
|
.440
|
201
|
64
|
21
|
9
|
.700
|
1.054
|
|
Bunning
|
1961
|
17
|
11
|
.607
|
194
|
71
|
19
|
10
|
.659
|
.950
|
|
Bunning
|
1962
|
19
|
10
|
.655
|
184
|
74
|
17
|
11
|
.623
|
.973
|
|
Bunning
|
1963
|
12
|
13
|
.480
|
196
|
69
|
17
|
11
|
.607
|
1.025
|
|
Bunning
|
1964
|
19
|
8
|
.704
|
219
|
46
|
19
|
8
|
.693
|
.872
|
|
Bunning
|
1965
|
19
|
9
|
.679
|
268
|
62
|
23
|
11
|
.679
|
1.029
|
|
Bunning
|
1966
|
19
|
14
|
.576
|
252
|
55
|
22
|
10
|
.684
|
.916
|
|
Bunning
|
1967
|
17
|
15
|
.531
|
253
|
73
|
22
|
13
|
.631
|
1.023
|
|
Bunning
|
1968
|
4
|
14
|
.222
|
95
|
48
|
8
|
9
|
.471
|
.974
|
|
Bunning
|
1969
|
13
|
10
|
.565
|
157
|
59
|
13
|
9
|
.594
|
.930
|
|
Bunning
|
1970
|
10
|
15
|
.400
|
147
|
56
|
12
|
8
|
.614
|
.834
|
|
Bunning
|
1971
|
5
|
12
|
.294
|
58
|
37
|
5
|
6
|
.474
|
.922
|
|
Career
|
|
224
|
184
|
.549
|
|
|
263
|
154
|
.630
|
1.000
|
Bunning in ’61 and ’62 went 17-11 and 19-10, whether you look at actual wins and losses or Strike Zone Wins and Losses, although the order is reversed. He was 19-8 both ways in ’64, the year he pitched his perfect game. Like Warren Spahn, he posted the worst actual won-lost record of his prime years in a season in which he posted his best strikeout-walk ratio (relative to the league), but just had abysmal offensive support. Speaking of which, let’s do Bert Blyleven, because 40% of my audience is obsessed with Bert Blyleven:
|
Pitcher
|
Year
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
SO
|
BB
|
KZW
|
KZL
|
KZWPCT
|
Power Index
|
|
Blyleven
|
1970
|
10
|
9
|
.526
|
135
|
47
|
12
|
7
|
.641
|
1.023
|
|
Blyleven
|
1971
|
16
|
15
|
.516
|
224
|
59
|
21
|
9
|
.702
|
.951
|
|
Blyleven
|
1972
|
17
|
17
|
.500
|
228
|
69
|
21
|
11
|
.651
|
.998
|
|
Blyleven
|
1973
|
20
|
17
|
.541
|
258
|
67
|
25
|
10
|
.722
|
.970
|
|
Blyleven
|
1974
|
17
|
17
|
.500
|
249
|
77
|
25
|
12
|
.675
|
1.202
|
|
Blyleven
|
1975
|
15
|
10
|
.600
|
233
|
84
|
24
|
12
|
.661
|
1.164
|
|
Blyleven
|
1976
|
13
|
16
|
.448
|
219
|
81
|
23
|
13
|
.645
|
1.090
|
|
Blyleven
|
1977
|
14
|
12
|
.538
|
182
|
69
|
18
|
11
|
.631
|
1.106
|
|
Blyleven
|
1978
|
14
|
10
|
.583
|
182
|
66
|
18
|
10
|
.636
|
1.028
|
|
Blyleven
|
1979
|
12
|
5
|
.706
|
172
|
92
|
17
|
14
|
.539
|
1.183
|
|
Blyleven
|
1980
|
8
|
13
|
.381
|
168
|
59
|
17
|
10
|
.633
|
1.089
|
|
Blyleven
|
1981
|
11
|
7
|
.611
|
107
|
40
|
12
|
6
|
.648
|
1.009
|
|
Blyleven
|
1982
|
2
|
2
|
.500
|
19
|
11
|
2
|
2
|
.538
|
1.620
|
|
Blyleven
|
1983
|
7
|
10
|
.412
|
123
|
44
|
13
|
7
|
.644
|
1.129
|
|
Blyleven
|
1984
|
19
|
7
|
.731
|
170
|
74
|
17
|
12
|
.587
|
1.035
|
|
Blyleven
|
1985
|
17
|
16
|
.515
|
206
|
75
|
20
|
11
|
.635
|
.946
|
|
Blyleven
|
1986
|
17
|
14
|
.548
|
215
|
58
|
18
|
8
|
.685
|
.893
|
|
Blyleven
|
1987
|
15
|
12
|
.556
|
196
|
101
|
16
|
15
|
.530
|
1.041
|
|
Blyleven
|
1988
|
10
|
17
|
.370
|
145
|
51
|
13
|
8
|
.624
|
.918
|
|
Blyleven
|
1989
|
17
|
5
|
.773
|
131
|
44
|
12
|
7
|
.638
|
.699
|
|
Blyleven
|
1990
|
8
|
7
|
.533
|
69
|
25
|
6
|
4
|
.624
|
.656
|
|
Blyleven
|
1992
|
8
|
12
|
.400
|
70
|
29
|
6
|
4
|
.604
|
.726
|
|
Career
|
|
287
|
250
|
.534
|
|
|
355
|
202
|
.638
|
1.008
|
Like Bunning and Schilling, Blyleven’s Strike Zone Winning Percentage is much better than his actual winning percentage. Schilling’s Strike Zone Winning Percentage is 103 points better than his actual winning percentage; Blyleven’s is 104 points better. Returning to the analogy of the structure, if this is Blyleven’s foundation and framework, he must have the worst carpet and drapes in the history of textiles.
Those are rare things, where a pitcher has a strike zone winning percentage 100 points better or worse than his actual winning percentage. 89% of pitchers with 200 or more career decisions had strike zone winning percentages within 100 points of their actual winning percentages. (As a control, I took the same two sets of winning percentages, actual and strike zone, and matched them at random. 73% were within 100 points.) The largest discrepancy, actually, belongs to a 1940s/1950s left-hander Ken Raffensberger, most famous for his ability to get out Stan Musial. Raffensberger, who pitched mostly for bad teams, had an actual won-lost record of 119-154 (.436), but a Strike Zone Winning Percentage of .626.
Raffensberger had a very low Power Index, and is symptomatic of what seems like an obvious conclusion. A low Power Index on a good team works great, because you’re turning over the fate of the team to the defense. A low Power Index on a bad team sucks. These are the two lowest Power Indexes of all time, for pitchers pitching 100 or more innings in a season:
|
First
|
Last
|
Team
|
Year
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
IP
|
SO
|
BB
|
KZW
|
KZL
|
KZWPCT
|
Power Index
|
|
Slim
|
Sallee
|
Cincinnati Reds
|
1919
|
21
|
7
|
.750
|
228
|
24
|
20
|
4
|
4
|
.487
|
.329
|
|
Bill
|
Fischer
|
Kansas City A's
|
1962
|
4
|
12
|
.250
|
128
|
38
|
8
|
4
|
1
|
.760
|
.332
|
Bill Fischer in 1962 was part of my childhood. Christy Mathewson held the record for consecutive innings without issuing a walk, 65 or something like that. It was a fairly well-known record, and Fischer broke it, pitching (as I recall) 86 consecutive innings without a walk. I listened to every inning on the radio. I died every time he got to 3 balls on a batter.
But the ’62 A’s were a bad team, and, by not walking anybody and rarely striking anybody out, Fischer was putting the outcome in the hands of the defenders. It was not a good defensive team, and the results were not pretty.
Slim Sallee, on the other hand, pitched for a World Championship team—the 1919 Reds—and a very good defensive team. His strikeout and walk totals were absurdly low, but his defense took good care of him. But in these pitchers, with extremely low (or extremely high) Power Indexes, the strike zone won-lost records no longer resemble the actual won-lost record. We can see these patterns throughout the bottom ten:
|
Pitcher
|
Team
|
Year
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
SO
|
BB
|
KZW
|
KZL
|
KZWPct
|
Power Index
|
|
Sallee
|
Cin
|
1919
|
21
|
7
|
.750
|
24
|
20
|
4
|
4
|
.487
|
.329
|
|
Fischer
|
KC
|
1962
|
4
|
12
|
.250
|
38
|
8
|
4
|
1
|
.760
|
.332
|
|
Silva
|
Minn
|
2005
|
9
|
8
|
.529
|
71
|
9
|
6
|
1
|
.795
|
.347
|
|
Zoldak
|
Phi A's
|
1951
|
6
|
10
|
.375
|
18
|
24
|
2
|
3
|
.444
|
.381
|
|
Sallee
|
2 Teams
|
1920
|
6
|
6
|
.500
|
15
|
16
|
3
|
3
|
.438
|
.398
|
|
Phillippe
|
Pitt
|
1910
|
14
|
2
|
.875
|
30
|
9
|
4
|
1
|
.748
|
.404
|
|
Quisenberry
|
KC
|
1984
|
6
|
3
|
.667
|
41
|
12
|
4
|
2
|
.679
|
.409
|
|
Tewksbury
|
StL
|
1990
|
10
|
9
|
.526
|
50
|
15
|
4
|
2
|
.650
|
.412
|
|
Mathewson
|
NY-N
|
1914
|
24
|
13
|
.649
|
80
|
23
|
11
|
4
|
.727
|
.419
|
|
Burdette
|
Mil
|
1960
|
19
|
13
|
.594
|
83
|
35
|
8
|
5
|
.578
|
.424
|
Phillippe, Quisenberry, Mathewson and Burdette, who pitched for good teams, got good results with the no walks/few strikeouts approach. Quisenberry joked about it. “You know my record,” he said. “30 strikeouts, 30 Saves, 30 great plays by Frank White.” Carlos Silva and Bob Tewksbury, who pitched for OK teams, got OK results. Fischer and Zoldak, pitching for bad teams, got ugly results.
Those are the lowest power indexes of all time, and these are the highest:
|
First
|
Last
|
Year
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
SO
|
BB
|
KZW
|
KZL
|
KZWPCT
|
Power Index
|
|
Bobby
|
Witt
|
1987
|
8
|
10
|
.444
|
160
|
140
|
13
|
20
|
.399
|
2.107
|
|
Johnny
|
VanderMeer
|
1939
|
5
|
9
|
.357
|
102
|
95
|
15
|
15
|
.494
|
2.087
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1937
|
9
|
7
|
.563
|
150
|
106
|
20
|
13
|
.603
|
2.052
|
|
Bobby
|
Witt
|
1986
|
11
|
9
|
.550
|
174
|
143
|
15
|
21
|
.417
|
2.047
|
|
Jakie
|
May
|
1919
|
3
|
12
|
.200
|
58
|
87
|
10
|
19
|
.346
|
2.031
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1976
|
17
|
18
|
.486
|
327
|
183
|
35
|
29
|
.545
|
2.015
|
|
Mitch
|
Williams
|
1987
|
8
|
6
|
.571
|
129
|
94
|
11
|
14
|
.444
|
2.010
|
|
George
|
Earnshaw
|
1928
|
7
|
7
|
.500
|
117
|
100
|
19
|
16
|
.547
|
2.003
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1977
|
19
|
16
|
.543
|
341
|
204
|
34
|
31
|
.520
|
1.974
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1978
|
10
|
13
|
.435
|
260
|
148
|
29
|
23
|
.558
|
1.974
|
|
Bill
|
Bailey
|
1914
|
7
|
9
|
.438
|
131
|
68
|
16
|
12
|
.577
|
1.913
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1938
|
17
|
11
|
.607
|
240
|
208
|
34
|
25
|
.572
|
1.903
|
|
Dazzy
|
Vance
|
1926
|
9
|
10
|
.474
|
140
|
58
|
25
|
10
|
.713
|
1.893
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
1991
|
13
|
10
|
.565
|
228
|
152
|
20
|
22
|
.472
|
1.887
|
|
Ryne
|
Duren
|
1961
|
6
|
13
|
.316
|
115
|
79
|
11
|
11
|
.507
|
1.886
|
|
Herb
|
Score
|
1955
|
16
|
10
|
.615
|
245
|
154
|
28
|
20
|
.586
|
1.880
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1974
|
22
|
16
|
.579
|
367
|
202
|
37
|
32
|
.539
|
1.876
|
|
Johnny
|
VanderMeer
|
1941
|
16
|
13
|
.552
|
202
|
126
|
28
|
19
|
.601
|
1.873
|
|
Joe
|
Krakauskas
|
1938
|
7
|
5
|
.583
|
104
|
88
|
15
|
11
|
.578
|
1.871
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
1992
|
12
|
14
|
.462
|
241
|
144
|
22
|
21
|
.514
|
1.858
|
|
Mickey
|
McDermott
|
1950
|
7
|
3
|
.700
|
96
|
124
|
13
|
14
|
.479
|
1.853
|
|
Ralph
|
Branca
|
1945
|
5
|
6
|
.455
|
69
|
79
|
11
|
12
|
.484
|
1.851
|
|
Wild Bill
|
Hallahan
|
1930
|
15
|
9
|
.625
|
177
|
126
|
28
|
21
|
.573
|
1.850
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1971
|
10
|
14
|
.417
|
137
|
116
|
13
|
19
|
.404
|
1.848
|
|
Mark
|
Littell
|
1978
|
4
|
8
|
.333
|
130
|
59
|
13
|
9
|
.583
|
1.836
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I included more power pitchers than finesse pitchers because power pitchers are just inherently more interesting. These are the guys who take over the game. When Nolan Ryan pitches, it’s all about Nolan Ryan:
|
First
|
Last
|
Year
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
SO
|
BB
|
KZW
|
KZL
|
KZWPct
|
Power Index
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1966
|
0
|
1
|
.000
|
6
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
.486
|
3.215
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1968
|
6
|
9
|
.400
|
133
|
75
|
11
|
14
|
.444
|
1.729
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1969
|
6
|
3
|
.667
|
92
|
53
|
8
|
8
|
.488
|
1.576
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1970
|
7
|
11
|
.389
|
125
|
97
|
11
|
14
|
.439
|
1.651
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1971
|
10
|
14
|
.417
|
137
|
116
|
13
|
19
|
.404
|
1.848
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1972
|
19
|
16
|
.543
|
329
|
157
|
30
|
25
|
.542
|
1.750
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1973
|
21
|
16
|
.568
|
383
|
162
|
38
|
24
|
.615
|
1.687
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1974
|
22
|
16
|
.579
|
367
|
202
|
37
|
32
|
.539
|
1.876
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1975
|
14
|
12
|
.538
|
186
|
132
|
19
|
19
|
.498
|
1.718
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1976
|
17
|
18
|
.486
|
327
|
183
|
35
|
29
|
.545
|
2.015
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1977
|
19
|
16
|
.543
|
341
|
204
|
34
|
31
|
.520
|
1.974
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1978
|
10
|
13
|
.435
|
260
|
148
|
29
|
23
|
.558
|
1.974
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1979
|
16
|
14
|
.533
|
223
|
114
|
25
|
17
|
.589
|
1.685
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1980
|
11
|
10
|
.524
|
200
|
98
|
20
|
16
|
.553
|
1.377
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1981
|
11
|
5
|
.688
|
140
|
68
|
14
|
11
|
.572
|
1.509
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1982
|
16
|
12
|
.571
|
245
|
109
|
23
|
18
|
.566
|
1.475
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1983
|
14
|
9
|
.609
|
183
|
101
|
17
|
15
|
.520
|
1.456
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1984
|
12
|
11
|
.522
|
197
|
69
|
17
|
11
|
.617
|
1.388
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1985
|
10
|
12
|
.455
|
209
|
95
|
19
|
14
|
.568
|
1.298
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1986
|
12
|
8
|
.600
|
194
|
82
|
16
|
12
|
.571
|
1.431
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1987
|
8
|
16
|
.333
|
270
|
87
|
22
|
13
|
.636
|
1.493
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1988
|
12
|
11
|
.522
|
228
|
87
|
20
|
15
|
.579
|
1.418
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1989
|
16
|
10
|
.615
|
301
|
98
|
27
|
15
|
.646
|
1.600
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1990
|
13
|
9
|
.591
|
232
|
74
|
20
|
11
|
.653
|
1.384
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1991
|
12
|
6
|
.667
|
203
|
72
|
18
|
11
|
.627
|
1.472
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1992
|
5
|
9
|
.357
|
157
|
69
|
15
|
10
|
.590
|
1.410
|
|
Nolan
|
Ryan
|
1993
|
5
|
5
|
.500
|
46
|
40
|
4
|
6
|
.415
|
1.304
|
|
Career
|
|
|
324
|
292
|
.526
|
|
|
542
|
432
|
.556
|
1.627
|
A strike zone won-lost record of 542-432—truly one of the most amazing careers in the history of baseball. Ryan has the highest career Power Index of any pitcher pitching 1,000 or more innings since 1900. Cy Seymour (more famous as a hitter) had a higher Power Index at the very end of the 19th century, and Herb Score had a higher career power index is a career just short of 1,000 innings. Sam McDowell:
|
First
|
Last
|
Year
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
SO
|
BB
|
KZW
|
KZL
|
KZWPct
|
Power Index
|
|
Sam
|
McDowell
|
1961
|
0
|
0
|
.000
|
5
|
5
|
0
|
1
|
.414
|
1.740
|
|
Sam
|
McDowell
|
1962
|
3
|
7
|
.300
|
70
|
70
|
7
|
10
|
.400
|
1.694
|
|
Sam
|
McDowell
|
1963
|
3
|
5
|
.375
|
63
|
44
|
6
|
7
|
.438
|
1.743
|
|
Sam
|
McDowell
|
1964
|
11
|
6
|
.647
|
177
|
100
|
14
|
16
|
.482
|
1.559
|
|
Sam
|
McDowell
|
1965
|
17
|
11
|
.607
|
325
|
132
|
27
|
20
|
.576
|
1.559
|
|
Sam
|
McDowell
|
1966
|
9
|
8
|
.529
|
225
|
102
|
19
|
17
|
.534
|
1.658
|
|
Sam
|
McDowell
|
1967
|
13
|
15
|
.464
|
236
|
123
|
19
|
20
|
.491
|
1.496
|
|
Sam
|
McDowell
|
1968
|
15
|
14
|
.517
|
283
|
110
|
24
|
18
|
.566
|
1.404
|
|
Sam
|
McDowell
|
1969
|
18
|
14
|
.563
|
279
|
102
|
25
|
14
|
.639
|
1.236
|
|
Sam
|
McDowell
|
1970
|
20
|
12
|
.625
|
304
|
131
|
27
|
19
|
.590
|
1.345
|
|
Sam
|
McDowell
|
1971
|
13
|
17
|
.433
|
192
|
153
|
18
|
23
|
.438
|
1.692
|
|
Sam
|
McDowell
|
1972
|
10
|
8
|
.556
|
122
|
86
|
11
|
13
|
.446
|
1.328
|
|
Sam
|
McDowell
|
1973
|
6
|
10
|
.375
|
110
|
93
|
10
|
14
|
.421
|
1.599
|
|
Sam
|
McDowell
|
1974
|
1
|
6
|
.143
|
33
|
41
|
3
|
6
|
.341
|
1.846
|
|
Sam
|
McDowell
|
1975
|
2
|
1
|
.667
|
29
|
20
|
3
|
3
|
.499
|
1.479
|
|
Career
|
|
|
141
|
134
|
.513
|
|
|
213
|
200
|
.515
|
1.494
|
A mediocre pitcher, yes, but an unforgettable one. Sudden Sam dances around .500, but note that, with the exceptions of 1964 and 1972, when his strike zone winning percentage is over .500, so is his actual winning percentage, and when his strike zone winning percentage is under .500, so is his actual winning percentage. J. R. Richard:
|
First
|
Last
|
Year
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
SO
|
BB
|
KZW
|
KZL
|
KZWPct
|
Power Index
|
|
J.R.
|
Richard
|
1971
|
2
|
1
|
.667
|
29
|
16
|
3
|
3
|
.510
|
2.243
|
|
J.R.
|
Richard
|
1972
|
1
|
0
|
1.000
|
8
|
8
|
1
|
1
|
.362
|
2.933
|
|
J.R.
|
Richard
|
1973
|
6
|
2
|
.750
|
75
|
38
|
7
|
6
|
.548
|
1.581
|
|
J.R.
|
Richard
|
1974
|
2
|
3
|
.400
|
42
|
36
|
4
|
5
|
.444
|
1.283
|
|
J.R.
|
Richard
|
1975
|
12
|
10
|
.545
|
176
|
138
|
17
|
20
|
.467
|
1.654
|
|
J.R.
|
Richard
|
1976
|
20
|
15
|
.571
|
214
|
151
|
22
|
23
|
.480
|
1.392
|
|
J.R.
|
Richard
|
1977
|
18
|
12
|
.600
|
214
|
104
|
20
|
16
|
.560
|
1.195
|
|
J.R.
|
Richard
|
1978
|
18
|
11
|
.621
|
303
|
141
|
29
|
22
|
.577
|
1.670
|
|
J.R.
|
Richard
|
1979
|
18
|
13
|
.581
|
313
|
98
|
31
|
15
|
.666
|
1.413
|
|
J.R.
|
Richard
|
1980
|
10
|
4
|
.714
|
119
|
40
|
12
|
7
|
.643
|
1.448
|
|
Career
|
|
|
107
|
71
|
.601
|
|
|
145
|
117
|
.554
|
1.469
|
J. R. in 1979 was the last pitcher to post 30 Strike Zone Wins in a season. Herb Score:
|
First
|
Last
|
Year
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
SO
|
BB
|
KZW
|
KZL
|
KZWPct
|
Power Index
|
|
Herb
|
Score
|
1955
|
16
|
10
|
.615
|
245
|
154
|
28
|
20
|
.586
|
1.880
|
|
Herb
|
Score
|
1956
|
20
|
9
|
.690
|
263
|
129
|
28
|
16
|
.638
|
1.573
|
|
Herb
|
Score
|
1957
|
2
|
1
|
.667
|
39
|
26
|
4
|
4
|
.527
|
1.968
|
|
Herb
|
Score
|
1958
|
2
|
3
|
.400
|
48
|
34
|
5
|
5
|
.487
|
2.193
|
|
Herb
|
Score
|
1959
|
9
|
11
|
.450
|
147
|
115
|
15
|
17
|
.470
|
1.767
|
|
Herb
|
Score
|
1960
|
5
|
10
|
.333
|
78
|
87
|
8
|
12
|
.399
|
1.584
|
|
Herb
|
Score
|
1961
|
1
|
2
|
.333
|
14
|
24
|
1
|
3
|
.292
|
1.728
|
|
Herb
|
Score
|
1962
|
0
|
0
|
.000
|
3
|
4
|
0
|
1
|
.333
|
1.278
|
|
Career
|
|
|
55
|
46
|
.545
|
|
|
89
|
77
|
.537
|
1.740
|
Bob Feller:
|
First
|
Last
|
Year
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
SO
|
BB
|
KZW
|
KZL
|
KZWPct
|
Power Index
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1936
|
5
|
3
|
.625
|
76
|
47
|
12
|
6
|
.666
|
2.550
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1937
|
9
|
7
|
.563
|
150
|
106
|
20
|
13
|
.603
|
2.052
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1938
|
17
|
11
|
.607
|
240
|
208
|
34
|
25
|
.572
|
1.903
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1939
|
24
|
9
|
.727
|
246
|
142
|
34
|
18
|
.652
|
1.601
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1940
|
27
|
11
|
.711
|
261
|
118
|
34
|
16
|
.678
|
1.396
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1941
|
25
|
13
|
.658
|
260
|
194
|
36
|
25
|
.590
|
1.611
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1945
|
5
|
3
|
.625
|
59
|
35
|
9
|
5
|
.626
|
1.713
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1946
|
26
|
15
|
.634
|
348
|
153
|
41
|
21
|
.657
|
1.512
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1947
|
20
|
11
|
.645
|
196
|
127
|
26
|
16
|
.612
|
1.281
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1948
|
19
|
15
|
.559
|
164
|
116
|
23
|
14
|
.632
|
1.181
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1949
|
15
|
14
|
.517
|
108
|
84
|
15
|
9
|
.624
|
1.029
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1950
|
16
|
11
|
.593
|
119
|
103
|
16
|
12
|
.579
|
1.001
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1951
|
22
|
8
|
.733
|
111
|
95
|
15
|
12
|
.554
|
.964
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1952
|
9
|
13
|
.409
|
81
|
83
|
10
|
11
|
.467
|
.979
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1953
|
10
|
7
|
.588
|
60
|
60
|
8
|
8
|
.476
|
.805
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1954
|
13
|
3
|
.813
|
59
|
39
|
7
|
5
|
.576
|
.791
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1955
|
4
|
4
|
.500
|
25
|
31
|
3
|
4
|
.418
|
.736
|
|
Bob
|
Feller
|
1956
|
0
|
4
|
.000
|
18
|
23
|
2
|
3
|
.403
|
.731
|
|
Career
|
|
|
266
|
162
|
.621
|
|
|
344
|
225
|
.605
|
1.336
|
And Feller was the last pitcher to post 40 Strike Zone Wins in a season. Lefty Grove, who I sometimes think was the greatest pitcher of all time:
|
First
|
Last
|
Year
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
SO
|
BB
|
KZW
|
KZL
|
KZWPct
|
Power Index
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1925
|
10
|
12
|
.455
|
116
|
131
|
21
|
19
|
.535
|
1.819
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1926
|
13
|
13
|
.500
|
194
|
101
|
34
|
15
|
.701
|
1.701
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1927
|
20
|
13
|
.606
|
174
|
79
|
31
|
12
|
.723
|
1.491
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1928
|
24
|
8
|
.750
|
183
|
64
|
30
|
10
|
.747
|
1.384
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1929
|
20
|
6
|
.769
|
170
|
81
|
29
|
12
|
.705
|
1.342
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1930
|
28
|
5
|
.848
|
209
|
60
|
31
|
9
|
.772
|
1.247
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1931
|
31
|
4
|
.886
|
175
|
62
|
27
|
9
|
.744
|
1.110
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1932
|
25
|
10
|
.714
|
188
|
79
|
29
|
11
|
.723
|
1.221
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1933
|
24
|
8
|
.750
|
114
|
83
|
18
|
11
|
.606
|
.954
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1934
|
8
|
8
|
.500
|
43
|
32
|
6
|
4
|
.591
|
.848
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1935
|
20
|
12
|
.625
|
121
|
65
|
19
|
9
|
.682
|
.899
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1936
|
17
|
12
|
.586
|
130
|
65
|
20
|
8
|
.711
|
1.000
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1937
|
17
|
9
|
.654
|
153
|
83
|
21
|
11
|
.664
|
1.081
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1938
|
14
|
4
|
.778
|
99
|
52
|
14
|
6
|
.688
|
1.106
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1939
|
15
|
4
|
.789
|
81
|
58
|
11
|
8
|
.602
|
.889
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1940
|
7
|
6
|
.538
|
62
|
50
|
8
|
7
|
.541
|
.869
|
|
Lefty
|
Grove
|
1941
|
7
|
7
|
.500
|
54
|
42
|
8
|
5
|
.580
|
.871
|
|
Career
|
|
|
300
|
141
|
.680
|
|
|
356
|
166
|
.682
|
1.192
|
The Big Unit:
|
First
|
Last
|
Year
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
SO
|
BB
|
KZW
|
KZL
|
KZWPct
|
Power Index
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
1988
|
3
|
0
|
1.000
|
25
|
7
|
2
|
1
|
.652
|
1.168
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
1989
|
7
|
13
|
.350
|
130
|
96
|
11
|
15
|
.427
|
1.463
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
1990
|
14
|
11
|
.560
|
194
|
120
|
17
|
18
|
.493
|
1.425
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
1991
|
13
|
10
|
.565
|
228
|
152
|
20
|
22
|
.472
|
1.887
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
1992
|
12
|
14
|
.462
|
241
|
144
|
22
|
21
|
.514
|
1.858
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
1993
|
19
|
8
|
.704
|
308
|
99
|
27
|
14
|
.658
|
1.433
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
1994
|
13
|
6
|
.684
|
204
|
72
|
17
|
10
|
.637
|
1.379
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
1995
|
18
|
2
|
.900
|
294
|
65
|
24
|
9
|
.739
|
1.377
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
1996
|
5
|
0
|
1.000
|
85
|
25
|
7
|
3
|
.675
|
1.481
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
1997
|
20
|
4
|
.833
|
291
|
77
|
23
|
11
|
.673
|
1.421
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
1998
|
19
|
11
|
.633
|
329
|
86
|
26
|
13
|
.673
|
1.410
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
1999
|
17
|
9
|
.654
|
364
|
70
|
27
|
9
|
.744
|
1.212
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
2000
|
19
|
7
|
.731
|
347
|
76
|
26
|
10
|
.722
|
1.289
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
2001
|
21
|
6
|
.778
|
372
|
71
|
27
|
11
|
.714
|
1.344
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
2002
|
24
|
5
|
.828
|
334
|
71
|
25
|
10
|
.708
|
1.206
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
2003
|
6
|
8
|
.429
|
125
|
27
|
9
|
4
|
.698
|
1.032
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
2004
|
16
|
14
|
.533
|
290
|
44
|
22
|
7
|
.768
|
1.026
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
2005
|
17
|
8
|
.680
|
211
|
47
|
17
|
8
|
.688
|
.993
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
2006
|
17
|
11
|
.607
|
172
|
60
|
13
|
9
|
.587
|
.999
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
2007
|
4
|
3
|
.571
|
72
|
13
|
5
|
2
|
.734
|
1.162
|
|
Randy
|
Johnson
|
2008
|
11
|
10
|
.524
|
173
|
44
|
12
|
6
|
.660
|
.918
|
|
Career
|
|
|
295
|
160
|
.648
|
|
|
379
|
212
|
.641
|
1.316
|
And Walter:
|
First
|
Last
|
Year
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
SO
|
BB
|
KZW
|
KZL
|
KZWPct
|
Power Index
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1907
|
5
|
9
|
.357
|
71
|
20
|
10
|
4
|
.696
|
1.137
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1908
|
14
|
14
|
.500
|
160
|
53
|
20
|
11
|
.640
|
1.103
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1909
|
13
|
25
|
.342
|
164
|
84
|
20
|
17
|
.547
|
1.132
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1910
|
25
|
17
|
.595
|
313
|
76
|
37
|
14
|
.730
|
1.239
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1911
|
25
|
13
|
.658
|
207
|
70
|
25
|
12
|
.678
|
1.015
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1912
|
33
|
12
|
.733
|
303
|
76
|
36
|
12
|
.745
|
1.170
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1913
|
36
|
7
|
.837
|
243
|
38
|
30
|
6
|
.833
|
.949
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1914
|
28
|
18
|
.609
|
225
|
74
|
27
|
12
|
.699
|
.948
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1915
|
27
|
13
|
.675
|
203
|
56
|
26
|
8
|
.759
|
.910
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1916
|
25
|
20
|
.556
|
228
|
82
|
30
|
13
|
.707
|
1.047
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1917
|
23
|
16
|
.590
|
188
|
68
|
28
|
11
|
.719
|
1.087
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1918
|
23
|
13
|
.639
|
162
|
70
|
28
|
11
|
.713
|
1.077
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1919
|
20
|
14
|
.588
|
147
|
51
|
23
|
8
|
.731
|
.975
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1920
|
8
|
10
|
.444
|
78
|
27
|
13
|
4
|
.752
|
1.097
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1921
|
17
|
14
|
.548
|
143
|
92
|
24
|
14
|
.630
|
1.316
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1922
|
15
|
16
|
.484
|
105
|
99
|
18
|
16
|
.529
|
1.096
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1923
|
17
|
12
|
.586
|
130
|
73
|
22
|
11
|
.670
|
1.133
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1924
|
23
|
7
|
.767
|
158
|
77
|
30
|
11
|
.724
|
1.325
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1925
|
20
|
7
|
.741
|
108
|
78
|
20
|
11
|
.643
|
1.213
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1926
|
15
|
16
|
.484
|
125
|
73
|
22
|
11
|
.676
|
1.124
|
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1927
|
5
|
6
|
.455
|
48
|
26
|
9
|
4
|
.687
|
1.055
|
|
Career
|
|
|
417
|
279
|
.599
|
|
|
499
|
222
|
.692
|
1.096
|
The Big Train actually has power rates near 1.00 and strike zone won-lost records that resemble his actual won-lost records for much of his career, particularly 1911-1915. Let us notice again that many of these pitchers have “victory margins” in the strike zone won-lost record that are similar to their actual margins, although the wins and losses are both higher. Sam McDowell is +7 (141-134) and +13. J. R. Richard is +36 and +28. Herb Score is +9 and +12. Bob Feller is +104 and +119. Lefty Grove is +159 and +190. Randy Johnson is +135 and +167.
OK, I’ve finished my to-do list now, except for the top 100 single-season Strike Zone Winning Percentages of all time. The number one single-season Strike Zone Winning Percentage of all time, minimum 100 innings pitched or 150 innings pitched, is (drum roll, please). .. …Bret Saberhagen, 1994. Saberhagen in fact was 14-4, with 143 strikeouts, 13 walks in 177 innings, a strike zone winning percentage of .849. These are the top 25 seasons of all time, 150 innings minimum, with others noted for Curt Schilling:
|
Rank
|
First
|
Last
|
Year
|
W
|
L
|
WPct
|
SO
|
BB
|
KZW
|
KZL
|
KZWPct
|
Power Index
|
|
1
|
Bret
|
Saberhagen
|
1994
|
14
|
4
|
.778
|
143
|
13
|
11
|
2
|
.849
|
.672
|
|
2
|
Pedro
|
Martinez
|
2000
|
18
|
6
|
.750
|
284
|
32
|
23
|
4
|
.841
|
1.116
|
|
3
|
Pedro
|
Martinez
|
1999
|
23
|
4
|
.852
|
313
|
37
|
25
|
5
|
.835
|
1.268
|
|
4
|
Walter
|
Johnson
|
1913
|
36
|
7
|
.837
|
243
|
38
|
30
|
6
|
.833
|
.949
|
|
5
|
Curt
|
Schilling
|
2002
|
23
|
7
|
.767
|
316
|
33
|
23
|
5
|
.831
|
.974
|
|
6
|
Christy
|
Mathewson
|
1908
|
37
|
11
|
.771
|
259
|
42
|
38
|
8
|
.826
|
1.072
|
|
7
|
Greg
|
Maddux
|
1997
|
19
|
4
|
.826
|
177
|
20
|
13
|
3
|
.817
|
.608
|
|
8
|
Cy
|
Young
|
1901
|
33
|
10
|
.767
|
158
|
37
|
31
|
7
|
.813
|
.916
|
|
9
|
Jim
|
Whitney
|
1884
|
23
|
14
|
.622
|
270
|
27
|
28
|
7
|
.808
|
.923
|
|
10
|
Ben
|
Sheets
|
2004
|
12
|
14
|
.462
|
264
|
32
|
20
|
5
|
.806
|
.923
|
|
11
|
Cy
|
Young
|
1905
|
18
|
19
|
.486
|
210
|
30
|
25
|
6
|
.805
|
.874
|
|
12
|
Ray
|
Prim
|
1945
|
13
|
8
|
.619
|
88
|
23
|
14
|
3
|
.804
|
.947
|
|
13
|
Ferguson
|
Jenkins
|
1971
|
24
|
13
|
.649
|
263
|
37
|
24
|
6
|
.803
|
.835
|
|
14
|
Greg
|
Maddux
|
1995
|
19
|
2
|
.905
|
181
|
23
|
14
|
3
|
.798
|
.734
|
|
15
|
Babe
|
Adams
|
1920
|
17
|
13
|
.567
|
84
|
18
|
14
|
4
|
.795
|
.621
|
|
16
|
Carlos
|
Silva
|
2005
|
9
|
8
|
.529
|
71
|
9
|
6
|
1
|
.795
|
.347
|
|
17
|
Tommy
|
Bond
|
1876
|
31
|
13
|
.705
|
88
|
13
|
39
|
10
|
.794
|
1.091
|
|
18
|
Jim
|
Whitney
|
1883
|
37
|
21
|
.638
|
345
|
35
|
46
|
12
|
.794
|
1.023
|
|
19
|
Dennis
|
Eckersley
|
1985
|
11
|
7
|
.611
|
117
|
19
|
11
|
3
|
.786
|
.719
|
|
20
|
Cy
|
Young
|
1900
|
19
|
19
|
.500
|
115
|
36
|
23
|
7
|
.782
|
.840
|
|
21
|
Cy
|
Young
|
1904
|
26
|
16
|
.619
|
200
|
29
|
25
|
7
|
.782
|
.742
|
|
22
|
Curt
|
Schilling
|
2001
|
22
|
6
|
.786
|
293
|
39
|
21
|
6
|
.782
|
.940
|
|
23
|
Deacon
|
Phillippe
|
1903
|
25
|
9
|
.735
|
123
|
29
|
18
|
5
|
.782
|
.712
|
|
24
|
Cy
|
Young
|
1906
|
13
|
21
|
.382
|
140
|
25
|
19
|
5
|
.777
|
.746
|
|
25
|
Preacher
|
Roe
|
1945
|
14
|
13
|
.519
|
148
|
46
|
23
|
7
|
.776
|
1.160
|
|
43
|
Curt
|
Schilling
|
2006
|
15
|
7
|
.682
|
183
|
28
|
14
|
4
|
.764
|
.821
|
|
62
|
Curt
|
Schilling
|
2003
|
8
|
9
|
.471
|
194
|
32
|
14
|
5
|
.752
|
1.009
|
|
66
|
Curt
|
Schilling
|
2004
|
21
|
6
|
.778
|
203
|
35
|
16
|
5
|
.750
|
.833
|
|
96
|
Curt
|
Schilling
|
1997
|
17
|
11
|
.607
|
319
|
58
|
23
|
8
|
.735
|
1.115
|
Among the top 100 seasons of all time Schilling has 6. Only one other pitcher has as many: Cy Young. Cy Young has 9 of the top 100 seasons. Christy Mathewson has 5, Dazzy Vance has 5, Greg Maddux has 4, Babe Adams has 3, Lefty Grove has 3, Carl Hubbell has 3, Fergie Jenkins has 3, Randy Johnson has 3, Walter Johnson has 3, Pedro Martinez has 3, Grasshopper Jim Whitney has 3, Tommy Bond has 2, Dizzy Dean has 2, Bobby Mathews has 2, Deacon Phillippe has 2, Ben Sheets has 2, Ed Walsh has 2, David Wells has 2, and 33 other pitchers have one apiece.
Well, the article’s too long; my apologies for that. This line of thought was provoked by an off-hand comment by Alex Speier, so thank Alex for that. I got interested in this approach; I thought it was worth reporting, and I hope I brought a few of you with me. Thanks for reading.