Prime 9: Greatest Seasons by non-all star players

[Senser81]

I was watching the Prime 9 show about the greatest seasons by players who never played in an all-star game, and it was kind of interesting because you would think that the player would have been an all-star at least in that one great season. For instance, John Denny won the NL Cy Young in 1983 but wasn't an all star that year (or any other year in his career). John Tudor, who was always really good when healthy, had a monster year in 1985 (21-8, 1.93 ERA) and had a stretch of games when he pitched 10 shutouts over 23 starts. No all-star appearance in 1985, though. Part way through the show, one of the baseball historian guys says "I think a lot of these guys had great years and great 2nd halves but got off to slow starts"...gee, really?

Anyway, the point is that all-star appearances are worthless.

[Warner2BruceTD]

I was watching the Prime 9 show about the greatest seasons by players who never played in an all-star game, and it was kind of interesting because you would think that the player would have been an all-star at least in that one great season. For instance, John Denny won the NL Cy Young in 1983 but wasn't an all star that year (or any other year in his career). John Tudor, who was always really good when healthy, had a monster year in 1985 (21-8, 1.93 ERA) and had a stretch of games when he pitched 10 shutouts over 23 starts. No all-star appearance in 1985, though. Part way through the show, one of the baseball historian guys says "I think a lot of these guys had great years and great 2nd halves but got off to slow starts"...gee, really?

Anyway, the point is that all-star appearances are worthless.

pitcher abuse points

Keith Law would have skewered the Cardinals on twitter had it existed.

[Senser81]

pitcher abuse points

Keith Law would have skewered the Cardinals on twitter had it existed.

It most likely didn't help Tudor's career. He was a relatively small guy who threw a lot of breaking stuff, so the torque on his arm in 1985 alone probably shortened his career.

[Warner2BruceTD]

He had two more season of 30+ starts, both of which he put up sub 3.00 ERA's.

He really started to break down when he was 35. In his final year, he went 12-4 with a 2.40 ERA and 1.025 WHIP in 20 games.

He was a lot better than I remembered.

[Senser81]

He had two more season of 30+ starts, both of which he put up sub 3.00 ERA's.

He really started to break down when he was 35. In his final year, he went 12-4 with a 2.40 ERA and 1.025 WHIP in 20 games.

He was a lot better than I remembered.

Yeah, Tudor was great but he is largely forgotten now. I don't know much about his early career, but it seemed like he got off to a late start (rookie year he was 25). He remained a good starter after 1985, but he always had arm troubles after 1985, too. He never had the durability. He pitched in 3 World Series in a 4 year span, which is impressive.

[Goober]

1. Zack Greinke-2012.