From: tedward@cs.cornell.edu (Edward [Ted] Fischer)
Subject: Eck or the Rocket?
Organization: Cornell Univ. CS Dept, Ithaca NY 14853
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 15:49:19 GMT


I asked the following question:
>Suppose Clemens finishes with a 20-9 record and 2.25 ERA, and
>Eckersley finishes with a 6-1 record, 54 saves, and a 2.00 ERA on a
>division-winning team.  Who would you vote for Cy Young?

The voting was 15-13 in favor of Clemens.  Assuming nine more starts,
he is on pace for a 20.4-9.5 record, with a 2.10 ERA.  But in seven
starts since the all-star break, he is 6-1 with a 1.57 ERA, and has
allowed more than 2 ER only once (He allowed 4 on 7/29, and won the
game.  In his loss he gave up 4 R, 2 ER, and the Sox were shut out.)
If he keeps up that pace, he could easily have a better record than
described.

Eckersley is dropping off the pace, but is still on target for 50
saves.  If LaRussa rests him towards the end of the season, he may
only end up with 45 saves though.

Selected comments:
"It's just so much more difficult to pitch as a starter."

"Clemens' 2.25 ERA is much better than Eckersley's 2.00 once you adjust
for park and usage.  It does seem to be a tough call though, but I
think that Eckersley's performance will look less exceptional in 10
years."

"There is no question that Clemens would deserve the Cy young if it
came down to a race between him and Eckersly. I would give it to a
pitcher who threw 250 innings and had a comparable earned run average
to that of someone who pitched maybe 100 innings."

"Gotta go with the Rocket.  I'm sorry, but the save rule is just SO
contrived that I have a tough time with its validity."

"MVP - Eck or Mac'; Cy Young - Roger"

"I'd vote for Clemens, I think this award belongs to starting pitchers."

"If Eck does that 54-55 thing, it will be several steps ahead of
Thigpen's record.  I simply do not think that kind of domination in
the late innings can go unnoticed."

"Eck's season would be more difficult to repeat then Clemens."

"I have the feeling Eckersley should be honored one of these years for
having the best five years for a relief pitcher in history."

"I would vote for Eckersley, because his performance would be the
difference between first and fourth in the western division."

"I'd go with the Eck.  Clemens is a great pitcher having a great
season, but Eckersley is even more valuable this year."

"The A's are what, 50-0 or so when Eck pitches and leading their
division.  Although I think stoppers are overrated, to me this race
isn't even close."

I also got votes for Juan Guzman, David Cone, and Dave Rossing.

The following (15) people voted for the Rocket:
bk713@slc8.INS.CWRU.Edu
brian@meaddata.com
fester@etorofu.island.COM
gwc@po.cwru.edu
hora@ecf.toronto.edu
IO20456@MAINE.MAINE.EDU (Ryan Robbins)
krueger@galileo.physics.arizona.edu
maj1@Ra.MsState.Edu
mjw@CS.Stanford.EDU
msw10@ras.amdahl.com
neshat@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
rickert@nextwork.rose-hulman.edu
rutgers!tsd.eds.com!diesman@cs.washington.edu
tomscud@owlnet.rice.edu
zipfel@ihlpm.att.com

The following (13) people voted for the Eck:
atchison@cis.ohio-state.edu
dave@snitor.sni.ca
DOUG.WHITE@Forsythe.Stanford.EDU
jlundy@encore.com
kbos@carina.unm.edu
KETTLER@OPPY.MIT.EDU
lsil!mhost!smkt4-n55!twright@fernwood.mpk.ca.us
mcgowan@pd1.llnl.gov
paul@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
rc@hal.com
ron@osf.org
schmittj@s1.msi.umn.edu
sinhaa@maccs.dcss.mcmaster.ca

Cheers,
-Valentine
-- 
Ob. woof: Clemens is the best pitcher ever!	tedward@cs.cornell.edu