10 Greatest Blue Jay Pitching Seasons

[Defense Counts!]

These are the 10 best seasons by Blue Jays' pitchers (IMHO).

I have considered a number of factors, even those things that are not entirely within the pitcher's control (like wins). I'm not a sabermatrician, so I didn't bother with some complicated formula. Much of this list is from the gut ...

1) Roger Clemens, 1997: 21-7, 2.05 ERA, 292 SO, triple crown, Cy Young.
I'm not sure it's possible to top a season like this one, unless the postseason is involved.

2) Clemens, 1998: 20-6, 2.65, 271 SO, triple crown, Cy Young.
This follow-up season was pretty good, too.

3) Dave Stieb, 1990: 18-6, 2.93.
Stieb had seven great seasons, and it was tough to pick the best one.

4) Roy Halladay, 2003: 22-7, 3.25, 204 SO, Cy Young
The second of two great years for Halladay.

5) Juan Guzman, 1992: 16-5, 2.64, 2-0 postseason.

6) Jimmy Key, 1987: 17-8, 2.76, ERA title.

7) Stieb, 1985: 14-13, 2.48, ERA title.
The team wins 99 games, yet with 265 IP and an ERA like that, he only gets 14 wins. Can you say "no run support"?

8) Stieb, 1984: 16-8, 2.83.

9) Pat Hentgen, 1996: 20-10, 3.22, Cy Young.
He won the last three starts of the season to edge Andy Pettite for the CY

10) Mark Eichhorn, 1986: 14-6, 1.72, 10 saves.
Normally I wouldn't consider a reliever, but Eichhorn pitched 157 innings in relief. Not bad for a rookie ...
(tie) Dennis Lamp, 1985: 11-0, 3.32
No-one has ever had a W-L record like this, and Lamp accumulated it in just 105 innings!

None of this is set in stone. If I were to make this list again in a month, it would probably be different.

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

That's quite the list.

I would almost be tempted to put Halladay in '05 on the list, simply for what could have been. He was on pace to match, if not exceed, 2003. But then Kevin Mench came along h...

(PS: Here's something I found while looking at Halladay stuff on the net: http://youtube.com/watch?v=FvwxqJQnBR0. Thought someone might find it interesting.)

[Jays4life]

Well, if you count Clemens steroid years......then you have to balance out the equation.

Lets say steroids improves your performance by 30% (modest estimation), then if Halladay was on roids the 03' year, then you add 30% to wins, and minus 30% of his loses.

Therefore you get a record of 29W-5L. So technically, Halladay had the best all time season.

PS. here is a nice Clemens video. Enjoy
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aJhu74yBPlQ

[Richmond Hill Phoenix]

It's tough to apply such a rigid formula to something as unknown and vague as performance enhancement.

To play devil's advocate, how do you know that Halladay wasn't on something when he won the Cy Young?

[PJ-34]

Because Roy's that damn good.

[Chris from NY]

Because Roy's that damn good.

I thought Clemens was too. Who knows exactly who has been or roids and who hasn't. Roger Clemens may have been on steroids, but I'm sure he faced a lot of batters that were. Barry Bonds may have been on steroids, but I'm certain he face a lot of pitchers that were. I'm sick of steroids. Can't we all just talk baseball?

[PJ-34]

These days, Baseball is steroids...

[Jays4life]

Vince McManon is going to try and capitalize on the roid craze. He will make his own league....called XLB. Where you get paid to win, and roids are maditorily taken by all!

[Jays4life]

I know Halladay wasn't on steriods. I use to work at a place were he would routinely shop. When ever he used the bathroom there, I use to collect his urine and stool samples to test.

He was always clear.

Now that I have his DNA.....my master plan can commence! I will clone 10 Roy Halladays! In 24 years they will all mature, and the Jays will have a "ALL" Roy Halladay pitching staff!

.......Muahahhahahahhahah

[PJ-34]

Please tell me that was a joke...:noidea

[Chris from NY]

I use to collect his urine and stool samples to test.

You should see if he'll autograph those? Or maybe get him to come over while there's still snow on the ground and autograph your front lawn.

Please tell me that was a joke...:noidea

It clearly wasn't.