The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-07-21
.CY YOUNG GREATEST
HURLER OF ALL Time;
HAD 500 PERCENTAGE
BY FRANK C. MENKE

Who was the greatest pitcher OF
all time?
Most folks answer:
':You can't name one man simply be-
cause pitching conditions have varied
considerably through the past 40 years.
There are too many 'ands,' Ifs and
butts connected with the debate to
reach at definite conclusion"
But the question can be answered
and in way to balk any further justi-
fable argument.
Pitching greatness is determined by
the following:
ID Most Games Won.
CD Fewest Games Lost.
go Fewest Earned Runs.
az Best Pitching Percentage.
CD Most Average Strikeouts.
t6) Fewest Bases on Balls.
CD Control.
90 Pitching Brains-and Courage.
(9) What Sort of Support Was Ac-
corded the Pitcher
(10) Durability.
Who won the most games in all
major league history? Cy Young!
Who lost the fewest in the matter OF
starts? Cy Youngi Who averaged the
most victories during his baseball life
time? Cy Young! Who, when the
various pitching conditions are taken
| into consideration, had the best strike.
out record, the best base-on-ba1ls rec.
ord and the best percentage record
Cy Young! Who lasted longest in
the major leagues? Cy Young!
Records Astonish
The records embracing the career
OF the old "Railsplitter" becomes more
and more astonishing the longer one
| studies them. If ever there was a su
per-pitcher it was Young, who flashed
| into view in 1890 and did not fade
from the picture until % years later.
Young won 507 games, lost 80, and
/ left the fields of battle with the i'm
perishab1e percentage of 500 behinC
him. Those 507 wins in % years NEAR
that Young averaged % victories dur
ing every season that he was bis
Lacquer.
And % victories year is somethins
that even the greatest of our presen
day twirlers haven't accomplished il
the best year of their career
When you recall that the averag
pitcher passes the crest at 80 an,
Young endured until he was A, yol
can gain certain definite idea of hi
: superlative worth. For Young, eve
beyond 40, was a terror to opposin
batsmen.
Young averaged close to four strike
outs per game throughout his con
plete career; Mathewson, one of hi
greatest rivals, averaged exactly fou
to the game. Young issued 1.43 base
on balls per game for % years. Matt
permitted 1.38 during his IL years
If Matty had gone along five year
more to tie Young's record in the ma
ter of durability, 1t is likely tina
Matty's base on balls average woul
have reached well beyond two, fo
; the simple reason that Matty, throug
: his last two or three years, lacked tn
old control and was giving out thre
! to six passes per game.
! Had Durability.
= Matty was through at Sc. Young, {
. 40, which was in 1907, won % out {
: 81 games for an average of 595.. TIL
) following year, when he was Al, I'll
"Railsplitter" won 81 and lost II, gil
= ing him mark of $50. And at
: Young won 10 and lost Is for .5E
! percentage. In his last year as
!. major leagues, Young lost game
and won. 3.
: 1t must be remembered that viii
: Mathewson, Plank, Bender, Brow
\ Johnson, Walsh, Alexander and a
Il the others lived practically their e
q tire pitching careers during the TO
! strike regime. Young had to VOL
! his first dozen baseball years or /:
= without the aid of the foul strike rul
a And beyond all that, the fact mu
+ not be overlooked that while Mat
: was supported by five championsh
A. teams, Bender four, and Plank fiv
Young was aided by only two fls
winners Through most Of the 9TH
, years the clubs back Of him we
4 either just average or terribly me
!, iocre.
!, While Young was averaging
= wins year for %. years, and Matty,
> the five champion clubs, averaged
1