Comments on: Lester’s Case for the Cy Young

By: All-Aughts Team of the Decade SP4: Jon Lester | Fire Brand of the American League

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:32:01 +0000

[...] was considered by some a very darkhorse favorite for the Cy Young award. (Fire Brand archive: Lester’s case for the Cy Young, 9/22/09.) His Cy-friendly numbers took a step back with a 15-8 record and 3.41 ERA, although he [...]

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:22:04 +0000

Replace “Evan” with “Mike”. My fault for my own failure to read names properly :(

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:14:52 +0000

“And the Cy Young award does not go to the best pitcher in the league, it goes to the player that voters vote for. They do not always line up.”
In that respect, you’re right, Evan. The voters don’t vote the way.
Whether that’s due to curmudgeonry from voters that still look at things like Wins, Heart, and Pinstripitude(yes Jon Heyman, I’m talking to you!), or a propensity to wet themselves when presented with the harsh cruel world of mathmatical analysis that drives them to stick their head in the sand like petulant creationists afraid of science is irrelevant. We should still strive to educate and expand the understanding of the game past subjective whims.

By: Mike Silver

Mike Silver — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:48:04 +0000

… and the MVP should go to the best player in the league as well, but thats just not how it works.
I, too, feel that Greinke is the best Cy Young candidate for this season, though I don’t particularly care about wins. It’s in the article, so my position is clear.
However, wins have historically been one of the major categories that voters vote on. There’s no denying that. Otherwise, Sabathia would have no business even being in the conversation and there would be no reason to bring up any other candidates.
Jon Lester is every bit as good as C.C. and Verlander, the candidates on good teams, and is just a step behind Felix. He’s not in Greinke territory, but no one is. Still, with C.C. and Verlander being talked about, Lester absolutely deserves to be a candidate.
And no one’s advocating sabotage on Sabathia. To me, he’s by far the least appealing candidate. And when would Boston fans ever want a Yankee to beat the field when a Sox player is just as good a candidate, or maybe better?
Intellectually dishonest? Let’s not reach for hyperbole, shall we?
And the Cy Young award does not go to the best pitcher in the league, it goes to the player that voters vote for. They do not always line up.

By: Alpine McGregor

Alpine McGregor — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:33:44 +0000

With all due respect, this is absurd.
Grienke is by FAR the best pitcher in the American League this year, and there’s even a credible argument to be made for his MVP credentials.
Joe Posnanski assembled a list of pitchers who’ve had 200-200-200 seasons (200 IP, 200K, 200 ERA+). It’s an even more elite club than Hall of Fame starters. Grienke’s 2009 season makes the list.
http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/09/18/200-200-200-seasons/
The Cy Young award goes to the best pitcher in the league. After watching last night’s game, and looking at his numbers all season long, can anyone honestly say Grienke is not the best pitcher in the AL?
Advocating for Lester simply to sabotage Sabathia is intellectually dishonest.

By: Gerry

Gerry — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:00:56 +0000

Thanks for the excellent information. I wonder how Lester ranks in Run Support for his W-L during significant parts of the season such as his early poor performance, his recent great performance. How many wins did he NOT get that were quality starts and not supported. Could he be in the same boat as Greinke in the matter of ‘not enough wins’ due to poor support? Could Beckett? Conversely, how many of CC wins game with excellent run support.
There is a lot to be said about pitching in a much weaker division but, after his 2 hitter against the red hot Red Sox bats, that argument may not wash at all, which reduces the force of that argument in favor of CC (and Lester). In this regard, it would also be valuable to compare WHO Zack, Lester, CC, Felix beat, at home and on the road. After seeing Greinke tonight, he sure has my vote at this point.

By: Adam Biggers

Adam Biggers — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:31:58 +0000

Good read, solid use of stats. I’d go for Greinke, myself, for A.L. Cy Young. Considering what he’s done on such a dirt team, you’d almost have to give the kid the nod. Not taking anything away from Lester, but the BoSox are a good team. The Royals are one of the worst teams in baseball, but yet, have one of the best pitchers. I’ve become a big Zack Greinke fan over the last two years, and I can’t see him NOT winning a Cy Young at some point in his career. I think this year his numbers are just as good as anyone else’s, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get it.
Great article, I enjoyed it.