With the Cubs' rainout in Atlanta last night (which will be made up on June 22, forcing the Cubs to play on 23 consecutive days), it gives me a chance to write about Randy Johnson's 300th career win and the future of such major milestones.
Of the milestones that supposedly bestow "automatic" entry into the Hall of Fame -- 300 wins, 3000 strikeouts, 3000 hits and 500 home runs -- the wins are the only one that are team-dependent. We all know that there are fewer 20-game winners than there were decades, or even a few years ago. The reasons are well-known. Starting pitchers make fewer starts than they did in the 1960's or 1970's. Forty years ago, in 1969, 36 pitchers started 35 or more games, a number that only one pitcher -- CC Sabathia -- reached in 2008. It's hard to pile up 20 wins when pitchers, in general, are getting fewer chances to do so. Also, starters aren't completing games now, a trend that's been in place since at least the 1980's; this means that, even if a starter leaves the game in the 7th inning with the lead, often the bullpen coughs it up (Paging Aaron Heilman and Neal Cotts!) and even if his team comes back to win, someone else gets the win.
So is Randy Johnson going to be the last 300-game winner, as mlb.com's Tom Singer claims? I say no, and there are, in fact, several strong candidates for this milestone. The problem in Singer's article and position is that he's looking at the top of the active leaderboard -- guys like Andy Pettitte and Pedro Martinez -- rather than scrolling down and seeing what might happen ten or fifteen years from now. (Pettitte, though, might have a shot -- he could finish 2009 with 230 or so wins, leaving him 70 short at age 37. At the end of his age-37 season, Randy Johnson had "only" 200 wins.)
On that active wins leaderboard are five pitchers 31 years old and under with 100 or more wins, and one more whose next win will be his 100th. Could some or all of those pitchers, ten years or more from now, become the next 300-game winner? Let's look at each of them and their chances.
- Roy Oswalt will be 32 in August and has 131 career victories. A two-time 20-game winner, Oswalt doesn't seem to be quite the pitcher this year that he was in the past. He's won only twice in 12 starts this year; part of the reason for that, of course, is the bad team he's pitching on. He would need to average 17 wins for the next 10 seasons to do it; he'd probably have to wind up on a better team to have a shot.
- Mark Buehrle just turned 30 in March and has 128 career wins. He has won 15 or more games five times and would need the same average as Oswalt -- 17 wins over the next ten seasons. That'd give him, it would seem, a fair chance at 300, though Buehrle has made noises about retiring far before he reaches age 40.
- CC Sabathia has won 15 or more games four times and, after a slow start this season, is on pace to do that again. He has 122 career wins and will turn 29 next month. With 178 to go, he'd need to average 18 wins over the next 10 years -- or, if he pitched into his early 40's, only 15 wins over the next 12. Sabathia, despite his weight, appears pretty durable. I'd give him a real good shot at 300 wins, especially if he continues to play on good teams.
- Johan Santana has won 15 or more games each of the last five years and is on pace to do it again this year. He currently has 116 wins and turned 30 in March; 184 wins short, he'd likely have to pitch into his early 40's to do it.
- Jon Garland is on this list primarily because he was in the major leagues at 20 and a rotation starter at 21. He's durable -- has never missed a start -- but his 110 wins come mainly from being on good teams, not from his own abilities. He will be 30 just before this season ends. 190 wins short of 300, he'd also need to pitch well into his 40's -- and stay on good teams and be healthy -- to have a chance.
- And now we run into the real wild card on this list -- the Cubs' own Carlos Zambrano. The youngest of this group of six, he turned 28 four days ago and his next win will be the 100th of his career. Z has as much talent as any of the pitchers above, and perhaps more than some. Needing 201 more victories to get to the milestone 300, he could do it by averaging just over 15 wins a year until he turns 41. But that depends on him remaining healthy and focused. All of us who are Cubs fans would like to hope that he could do that, and bring many wins to the North Side, over the remaining years of his career. He has won 14 or more games each of the last five years. If he can bump that up by just one, he'll have a chance.
Randy Johnson will not be the "last" 300-game winner. It just might take ten or more years until we celebrate the next one.
The only pitcher I see with a chance is CC Sabathia
Sabathia is a bull and he plays on a great team. He probably has a fair shot at someday getting to 300 given that he is only in his late 20’s right now. Other than Sabathia I don’t see anybody current who has a chance.
As I said elsewhere, Randy Johnson is the greatest and most uttlerly dominant pitcher I have had the privilege to direclty see in my 46 years on this planet. I always thought that nobody could ever top Steve Carlton, but I was wrong because the Big Unit came along. His stuff was beyond filthy during his heyday in Seattle and Arizona.
BLou - June 5, 2009
I think Pedro in 1999-2000 was more dominant
But certainly over a longer period of time Randy Johnson was the far more impressive pitcher. I can’t imagine being a left handed hitter trying to hit his slider.
nji232 - June 5, 2009
I agree Pedro during those couple of years was the best
In addition to the second highest ERA+ in history (291), his WHIP was .737 compared to the league’s 1.49. I believe that is the best ever when comparing individual to league.
rlpete - June 5, 2009
So he was 191% better than the rest of the pitchers in baseball
Not too shabby.
nji232 - June 5, 2009
Sabathia's potential for 300
is directly proporationate to his waist line. If he can keep his weight down and play for contenders, he has an outside chance.
N Oakley - June 5, 2009
If he stays with the Yanks...
… and stays healthy, its just short of a forgone conclusion. However, the weight thing scares me more than it seems to Al. Look at the shape of those that have reached the milestone in this decade… Glavine, Clemens, Maddux and now Johnson. With the exception of Clemens, pretty lanky dudes. and who knows what shape Clemens would have been if he hadn’t had a needle in his rear at any given point in his career… he always had that powerful lower body, but wasn’t the huge guy he became when he came in to the league…
Going back even 25 years before that… Gaylord Perry wasn’t big, nor was Phil Niekro or Tom Seaver or Nolan Ryan.
I’m not saying CC couldn’t do it due to his size, i’m just saying history shows its the lankier guys that are durable enough to do it. Freakishly large athletes tend to start breaking down under their own weight, and they tend to do it earlier and more rapidly the larger they are.
I’m hoping i’ll get to see it, and i’m guessing if i do, it’ll be CC.
AndrewJStone - June 5, 2009
Sorry, Al
But I have to disagree with you. I just don’t see any of those guys making to 300. Sabathia is the only one I would even give an outside shot to get there.
None of those guys are even halfway there and probably won’t be halfway there until the end of next year.
I think most of the writers are right…this may be the last of the 300 winners for a long time.
DMCub - June 5, 2009
Sorry to disagree Al, but;
I don’t see anyone you mentioned as having a chance to 300 wins. Barring injuries, contract squabbles, maybe, just maybe Sabathia or Santana might come close. Zambrano, doesn’t have a chance if he’s gonna beat up Gatorade machines, and get suspended/injured twice a year.
LarryCubFan - June 5, 2009
I don't think you're disagreeing...
… I wasn’t trying to say that all six of those guys are going to make it. In reality, Sabathia is the only one who has a real shot.
I’d love to see Z step it up over the next few years and put himself in the category of those elite pitchers. It’s really all up to him.
Al Yellon - June 5, 2009
You never know
Even a guy like Jon Garland might pull a Jamie Moyer, pitch into is mid-40s and get there. Or if anyone of those guys could pull a Curt Schilling and start having career years at age 35, they’d get there.
Poloplaya14 - June 5, 2009
I think Sabathia will get it
The guy is a horse, and he just might be big enough where he isn’t bothered by high pitch counts and lots of innings. If he ever figures out how to pitch in April, he could rattle off a number of 20 win seasons with the Yankees.
nji232 - June 5, 2009
Sabathia will have a great shot of routinenly winning 20 games a year on the Yankees so long as he stays healthy
Yankees are always loaded offensively. Doesn’t hurt having the all time greatest closer sitting in the bullpen either. I like Sabathia. And yes, I do sorta like the Yankees. Always have. That whole mystique thing and unrelenting commitment to winning World Series captured me back in the mid-70’s on those great teams that included Lou Piniella among many others.
BLou - June 5, 2009
Well, except that...
… that “all-time greatest closer” is retiring after this year.
Sabathia does have the best shot. “Routinely” winning 20 games? That’s going to be tougher.
Al Yellon - June 5, 2009
the lineup will be in transition
Jeter, Posada, Damon are all “getting up there” in age, so you’d expect during the latter half of Sabathia’s contract the lineup would look a lot different. Now they very well might reload both internally (Montero, Jackson, etc) or externally (like adding Tex) to keep up that production, but it should be noted the lineup of current isn’t exactly going to be the lineup of the future
DartmouthCubsFan - June 5, 2009
nor will the line ups of the teams he faces
Tampa (for example) used to be a joke of a game, now you must take them serious. With teams getting better that he will face, that will make it harder to win 300.
Cubbie-Tim - June 5, 2009
Tampa and Baltimore
are both in line to have VERY good lineups for a very long time
Baltimore in particular: Adam Jones, Markakis, Wieters, Reimold
yowzers
DartmouthCubsFan - June 5, 2009
I think the reason you won't see one
Outside of some genetic freak like Sabathia — maybe
is that everything you mentioned — fewer starts, fewer complete games — is still trending away from the pitcher
I think pitch counts, days off, etc… will only increase. The real work toward winning 300 is done in a players 20s and managers and GMs are not going to risk those players.
Worf - June 5, 2009
Well, except for Randy Johnson...
… who won more games in his 40’s than he did in his 20’s.
Who’s to say that some current pitcher not even on the radar might stick around that long?
Al Yellon - June 5, 2009
I agree
Saying never again is silly.
Look at Jamie Moyer. He won a total of 34 games before he was 30. With any kind of decent years in his 20’s he’d be knocking on the door.
It will be done again.
rlpete - June 5, 2009
The salaries are significantly higher now............
……….and I think that will have an impact on just how long players are going to stick around.
tville - June 5, 2009
I think some real young names will be interesting to follow too
Lincecum seems to have those mysterious mechanics that protect him from injury, 29 wins so far, and he is 25. If he can rattle of some big seasons in that nice pitchers park of his he might make a run at it.
King Felix in Seattle has 44 wins at age 23. His problem will be bad teams and health, but you never know.
I think Big Z is a long shot, his shoulder just won’t hold up until age 41.
nji232 - June 5, 2009
I agree with Felix getting a shot...
He’s going to compile 15+ wins per season for at least 10 more seasons. Also, there’s a good chance that he signs a big contract as a free agent after the 2012 season. I could see him getting to at least 250 if he stays healthy and gets on a .500+ team.
IowaCubs- - June 5, 2009
Felix
When did he get all those wins? Seems a little crazy. Hopefully Seattle gives him a lineup at some point in his career.
Linc, his mechanics I think protect his arm from injury, but I would worry if he was to suffer some sort of leg injury if he could come back and get that amazing push and stride like he has now. Also, a problem when he does get closer to 40, will he still get as much out of his arm? I hope so, I always turn on the Giants when he is pitching and the cubs are not on. I didn’t realize he was 25 either…but he was still the first guy that came to my mind that were in their early 20’s.
I think that strasburg kid already has like 250 wins already, so ill give him a good chance. As much as I hear his name these days.
Wad - June 5, 2009
Yes, i also agree that some of the even younger pitchers will have a shot...
…Lincecum, Greinke, Peavy…of course they’re chances are better if they can be put on better teams, but their stuff is definitely good enough.
Also, it states that the Cubs make up game with Atl is June 22, which would mean the Cubs play 23 games in a row. I thought they couldn’t play more than 20 in a row??
Cubs and Hawks fan - June 5, 2009
You can play more than 20 in a row...
… with the approval of the players association and the teams involved. Clearly, they must have given this permission.
There was no other logical date to play it, since the teams don’t have any other mutual off days.
Al Yellon - June 5, 2009
understood
Cubs and Hawks fan - June 5, 2009
I was at the Game
last night. It was a traditional double header because the game was rained out on Wednesday, which Johnson was scheduled to pitch.
It rained through both games, at times very heavy. The first game was delayed for 45 minutes and they called the second game in the 7th. Johnson had a no hitter going into the 5th or 6th. Impressive that he pitched so well given that he was to start Wednesday, the make up game was delayed, and weather conditions were bad.
He almost didn’t get the win. The bases were loaded in the 8th after Johnson had been pulled and Adam Dunn at the plate. The count was 3-2 and Dunn took the pitch, which either bounced in the dirt (according to my drunk friend) or was REALLY low. A walk would have brought in the tying run and given Johnson a no decision. Dunn argued and every one gave the ump hell.
I like your point, Al, that wins are “the only one that are team-dependent.” I would add, in this instance, umpire dependent as well.
mph3 - June 5, 2009
Even as bad as the Nationals and the weather was I find it hard to believe that
more people didn’t go to the game just to see a part of history.
Madison Cub Fan - June 5, 2009
I couldn't get out of work to go
but part of the problem is that the Nationals are almost invisible in DC now. I bet a lot of casual fans didn’t even realize the historic nature of the game.
rlpete - June 5, 2009
i was hoping
to see #300 down here in Miami but the weather pushed Unit back a day and I knew he’d miss the series here, very very disappointing. I had been eying the date for weeks
i got to watch it on tv though!
DartmouthCubsFan - June 5, 2009
it was a borderline pitch
could’ve been called either way and people would have reacted, it wasn’t clearly a ball or clearly a strike
DartmouthCubsFan - June 5, 2009
Is Randy Johnson retiring at the end of the year?
Has he said anything about that?
Cubs and Hawks fan - June 5, 2009
Well he said after his win yesterday
that he only had 211 more to catch Cy Young. So maybe he makes a run at it. Based on how he is pitching this season, I would think he is done.
nji232 - June 5, 2009
Probably Done.
Johnson’s 5-4 with a 5.12 ERA in 11 starts this year while battling a sore shoulder. I believe the announcers said in yesterday’s game that he is scheduled to have his shoulder looked at today, or sometime before his next scheduled start.
I would venture to guess that unless he signs another one year deal with a contender he will retire after this season.
Tangled Up In Blue - June 5, 2009
I wonder if...
… even with his bad numbers, a contender might deal for him at midseason this year.
Al Yellon - June 5, 2009
Worth a shot.
Obviously has post season experience and is still an intimidating LHP.
Looking into the future, I wonder if a team wouldn’t sign him and place him on the DL until the middle of the season in 2010. Along the lines of Clemons’ deal in Houston. If he were to come back in mid-June on a contender, I think he would consider coming back.
Tangled Up In Blue - June 5, 2009
he's 13th in the league
in LIPS ERA which is fielding and luck independent ERA
he’s pitching fine, his luck has been horrible
the big issue with Johnson is his stamina. He can’t go beyond 6 innings now and after about 85 pitches or so his effectiveness declines rapidly
DartmouthCubsFan - June 5, 2009
sorry 13th...
in ALL OF BASEBALL
not just the NL
the point is… he’s still very very good, he’s just very very good for only 4-6 innings
DartmouthCubsFan - June 5, 2009
As Al mentioned above...
…do you think a contender would make a deal for him at the deadline? If so do you think they would use him down the stretch out of the pen and/or spot starts knowing that they are only going to get 4-6 innings out of him?
Tangled Up In Blue - June 5, 2009
i doubt it
randy doesn’t have a NTC in his contract but my guess is the GIants would OK any deal with him beforehand and he has such a short list of places he’d go (mostly on the west coast, has to be in the NL) and with the NL West not being much of a race, my guess is Unit stays put. Plus no one is going to “blow away” the Giants with an offer, so it would likely be more of a hassle on all parties ends to work out a deal than it would be worth it
oh and i didn’t see the shoulder issues comment, the announcers were referencing it not because he’s had them all year but because he made a play on a ground ball and landed on his shoulder yesterday. He stayed in after it and was fine, looked like it wasnt a big deal
DartmouthCubsFan - June 5, 2009
Good points.
It would have to be an offer that the Giants couldn’t refuse, and your right, I don’t think that the anyone will make that offer. If they do, I don’t think Johnson/Giants will ok that.
I didn’t realize that. I know that he landed on his shoulder making a play yesterday, but was under the impression that he was experiencing shoulder soreness prior to the play.
Good to know.
Tangled Up In Blue - June 5, 2009
Good analysis
I don’t understand the logic of people who say it won’t happen again. There are clearly dramatic differences between the way starting pitchers are used today, and the way they were used in the 60s/70s, and even more dramatic differences when compared against the first half of the last century.
But even so, Clemens came of age in the modern era with 5 man rotations and specialized bullpens. So did Maddux, and Glavine and Randy Johnson. All four of those guys made it to 300 despite the changes being talked about. I don’t know that anyone on the current group will make it — and actually, if I had to bet on an active player, I’d go even younger to guys like Tim Lincecum or Felix Hernandez.
Orval Overall - June 5, 2009
Good point
Johnson’s high in GS was only 35. It’s not like he was pitching in a 4 man rotation for a good part of his career.
rlpete - June 5, 2009
Joe Posnanski
…had a great post about this a few weeks back.
http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2009/05/20/the-300-workout-plan/
In it, he surmises that its impossible to predict the next 300 game winner because we just don’t know who will have that late career dominance from 35-40, which is what just about all 300 game winners have. Its a great read, as usual, from Joe.
MikeJ - June 5, 2009
Interesting article
might make a good fan shot
Madison Cub Fan - June 5, 2009
I agree...
I’m pretty confident that we’ll see another 300 game winner. Obviously, it’s not easy (only a handful of guys in any era can do it). But it is still very doable.
The key is (1) either getting an early start or pitching well into your forties, (2) staying healthy, (3) being on a team that can get you wins, and (4) obviously being good enough.
Pettitte is the only old guy with a real shot, in my opinion. But he’d have to WANT to pitch until he’s 42/43, and I don’t see him wanting it that badly (he’s almost retired once already).
Among younger established guys, I think people have listed a lot of possibilities in the following (assuming good health of course):
Halladay (32, 140 wins) – would need pitch to 42
Sabathia (28, 122 wins) – would need pitch to 40
Santana (30, 116 wins) – would need pitch to 41/42
Zambrano (28, 99 wins) – would need to pitch to 41
And then, there are the young guys:
Hernandez (23, 44 wins) – would need to pitch to 40 and get some run support!
Greinke (25, 43 wins) – would need to pitch to 41/42
Lincecum (25, 29 wins) – would need to be dominant until 40/41
But yeah, it really comes down to who can pitch successfully into their late 30s and even early 40s. We don’t know who that is, but I suspect that SOMEONE will do it.
SouthernCub - June 5, 2009
Each time a pitcher wins #300
the debate comes up about if it will happen again. This is, what the 4th time in the past few years (Clemens, Maddux, Glavine, now Johnson) that the same argument comes up? It will happen, the only questions is who and when.
Cubbie-Tim - June 5, 2009
The only pitcher I see has a chance
is Mark Prior.
Really though, CC or “Z” if “Z” gets his act together.
Grockcubs - June 5, 2009
Z will have to get his head together just to win 200!
Itchy - June 5, 2009
+1
malicedoom - June 5, 2009
As much as I like Z, he needs to get his head together,
get his ERA under 4 and win 20 games in a season at least once before 300 wins is even on the radar.
N Oakley - June 5, 2009
Should be ERA back under 4
N Oakley - June 5, 2009
When it's all said and if he wins 200 I would be happy
Madison Cub Fan - June 5, 2009
True
Grockcubs - June 5, 2009
Where IS Prior these days anyway?
malicedoom - June 5, 2009
Stealing San Diego's money!
Itchy - June 5, 2009
Can't even find minor league stats for him for 2009 on Baseball Reference...
malicedoom - June 5, 2009
I don't think he's thrown a pitch in an organized game since 2006!
Itchy - June 5, 2009
just the (sales) pitch he and his agent throw
for another contract
Cubbie-Tim - June 5, 2009
He hasn't.
The last time he pitched — at all — was on March 22, 2007, in a spring training game vs. the Padres. The opposing pitcher was… Greg Maddux. (The link is to my BCB recap of that game.)
Al Yellon - June 5, 2009
and it will be his last, unfortunetely
Chanman25 - June 5, 2009
Prior
Here’s a link (hope this works, it’s my first try) to an article from MLB.com in February about Prior. It’s a pretty sad read knowing his history here in Chicago.
Tangled Up In Blue - June 5, 2009
Let me try that again....
Tangled Up In Blue - June 5, 2009
Randy Wells
FTW
chilango2 - June 5, 2009
In April, I went to visit my folks in Florida.
I found all of my old baseball cards… it was like a treasure chest. And, included were an eBay store’s worth of Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Roger Clemens rookie cards.
I was so damn excited… all in the 300 club (Johnson was at 295, I knew he’d get there).
Then, I wondered to myself… wait a second… if I have 5 of each of these cards, they can’t be worth that much. Sure enough… I went online, and yuck. They really don’t have much value.
SackMan - June 5, 2009
Same here
I found a Maddux rookie card. It was listed for $2.
chilango2 - June 5, 2009
It's weird to think that the cabbage patch doll mom got me when I was little, in perfect condition
would be worth more than those 5 cards.
Madison Cub Fan - June 5, 2009
It's sad... sad...sad...
I found so many rookie cards. And I thought for sure my Bonds, Clemens, Griffey Jrs, Maddux’s, Sandberg’s, etc would be worth a good $50 or so on eBay. Nope. Not really.
The best one I found was a Jerry Rice rookie. It was like $200 on eBay.
SackMan - June 5, 2009
Mass production
that is what killed the industry
Cubbie-Tim - June 5, 2009
Yep.
I knew it, right when I discovered I owned like 5 or 6 of the same card. I thought to myself, if I have 5 of them, a baseball card store probably has 15-20 of them.
SackMan - June 5, 2009
Nowadays, graded cards are what the collectors want
A slabbed PSA/DNA certified card with the highest grade (mint=four sharp corners and centered) condition demands the bigger money.
I had fun putting Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle’s cards in my bicycle spokes. No one wants a beat up card.
Ahhh….the memories.
flachimesa - June 5, 2009
Supply and demand
The number of cards plus all the special edition, tin foiled, glitterred, whatever else they tried to do to “make” valuable cards just saturated the market.
rlpete - June 5, 2009
The only one who has a chance is not even in HS
Chase Maddux is I think 12. Between his Dad’s and Uncle Mike’s coaching he should have the best shot.
FYI Mike Maddux ( along with his boss Nolan Ryan) have turned the Rangers pitching staff around by among other things not emphasizing pitch counts. They actually believe pitchers can throw complete games and young arms should start early throwing a lot of pitches. "You can’t go on hard numbers," Maddux said. "The hitters will let you know when you’ve had enough. The guys have bought into that. I think when we put pitch-count numbers on them, we put ceilings on them and limit them. So there’s no limits. Go out there and as long as you’re effective, it’s your ballgame. Keep going."
Doggie Stalker - June 5, 2009
It is pretty impressive
how the Rangers have turned that staff around. And those pitchers, as well as the coaches, deserve a bit more credit as Hamilton has been injured.
chilango2 - June 5, 2009
I hope our next pitching coach is also named Maddux.
SackMan - June 5, 2009
Don't forget that most of the time
superstars do not make good coaches or managers. You can look across all sports and the number is dwarfed by the failures.
rlpete - June 5, 2009
Yes... but it has been written many times that Greg Maddux
has been a very good mentor to younger pitchers in all of his last few stops.
However, who knows if he actually wants to coach or not.
SackMan - June 5, 2009
I know what you are saying
but mentoring a young pitcher who is interested in learning is a bit different from the day-in, day-out grind of a pitching coach and having to deal with the whole staff. As you said, who knows if he wants that anyway.
What might be an idea would be more of a roving minor league instructor.
rlpete - June 5, 2009
As I mentioned before
He says he is interested in being a BENCH coach. Sort of makes sense as he truly sees the whole game like no one else and unlike a typical manager I think he would love working on IN GAME strategic moves. He could sort of be the power behind the throne whispering in Ryne Sandberg’s ear for instance. I think once his kids are in college and he completes a tour of the world’s greatest golf courses he will come back to the game full time.
Doggie Stalker - June 5, 2009
Maddux and Ryan
I wish the Manager of the Year Award could be the Coach of the Year Award for occasions like this. The Rangers and great pitching don’t belong in the same sentence. What Maddux and Ryan have done in Texas with a rotation of Milwood, McCarthry, Feldman, and Holland has been rather impressive, and the reason they lead the West by 3.5 games.
Tangled Up In Blue - June 5, 2009
CC and Z have the best shots to get 300 wins.
lexmarklover - June 5, 2009
Carlos Zambrano may not get 300 wins
but if he at least pitches for us another 10 seasons with the same performance he has had throughout his career, then he will undoubtedly be the greatest player to ever pitch for the Cubs.
Chanman25 - June 5, 2009
If Z wins tonight, that's 100 wins.
The club record is 201, held by Charlie Root.
Since World War II only three pitchers have won 100 games in a Cub uniform: Fergie Jenkins (167), Rick Reuschel (135), and Greg Maddux (133).
Z is 21st on the team list as of now. If he can win 12 more games this year — not out of the question — he’d move up to 17th.
Al Yellon - June 5, 2009
he could pass Jenkins when his contract ends
Do you think he will be the last player to wear 38 for the Cubs?
Chanman25 - June 5, 2009
That depends on whether...
… he increases his performance level commensurate with his contract, AND whether he stays with the Cubs when the current deal expires.
Al Yellon - June 5, 2009
He'll be 32 when the contract is up, right?
He still could be looking for a huge contract at that age.
Chanman25 - June 5, 2009
BTW, what ever happened to halfblindcubbiegirl and cwyers?
they used to post here constantly, what happened?
Chanman25 - June 5, 2009
About those two,
HBCG now posts as Allie. However, I do not know where cwyers is anymore. He may still be here under a different name.
Vermont Cubs Fan - June 5, 2009
Colin posts more at Hardball Times now.
He does occasionally stop by here. Here are his Hardball Times articles.
Al Yellon - June 5, 2009
interesting, I couldn't make the connection between the two
Chanman25 - June 5, 2009
really well done Al
enjoyed your lead-in a lot
DartmouthCubsFan - June 5, 2009
Thanks!
It may take 15 years. But there WILL be another 300-game winner, or maybe more than one.
Al Yellon - June 5, 2009
i dont think so
the game is too sepcialized too many injuries pitch counts etc.
fischisgod - June 5, 2009
Congrats to The Big Unit
He seemed slightly overwhelmed by the attention at the press conference.
In other news, I’m sitting at the Goose Island pub in O’Hare. Had a double cheezborger at the Billy Goat for lunch. Hello, Chicago! See ya again on Sunday.
Clutch16 - June 5, 2009
Isn't O'Hare glamorous?
Where you headed? Have fun.
chilango2 - June 5, 2009
Heading to the thriving metropolis of Fargo, ND
BTW: The Goose Island Matilda Ale is well worth the cash. A Belgian-style ale with a pretty caramel color and a little bit of spice. Tasty!
Clutch16 - June 5, 2009
Indeed
They produce the best Belgian-style this side of the Atlantic.
Don’t get caught in crazy schemes involving kidnapping, GMAC, and Shep Proudfoot whilst up there.
chilango2 - June 5, 2009
LOL
If you see William H. Macy slowly turn and walk the other way….
Tangled Up In Blue - June 5, 2009
boyfriend was there yesterday morning.... he enjoyed their food
Madison Cub Fan - June 5, 2009
If you believe that Jon Garland or Carlos Zambrano will win 300 games, you're a moron.
Cub Style - June 5, 2009
excellent
misread the article, diss a Cubs pitcher AND the site owner, all in one sentence!
drewishdrewid - June 5, 2009
I was at the game yesterday
I kept score didnt drink and didnt smoke.. IT was the coolest thing I have ever seen.. I am getting the scorecard and tickets framed. I was one of around 600 that can say they saw the whole thing. Cool experience.
fischisgod - June 5, 2009
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