1990 - Roger Clemens v. Bob Welch

[Duque]

Amazing that Clemens would actually be going for his 7th Cy Young Award this year if the voters had gotten in right in 1990.
The Rocket lead Welch in ERA by a full run (1.93 to 2.95), thoroughly beat him in Ks and K/BB ratio (209 Ks to 54 BBs for Clemens; 127 Ks to 77 BBs for Welch), and gave up less hits (193 in 228.3 IP for Clemens, 214 in 238 IP for Welch). But, Welch had 27 wins to Clemens's 21.

[NetShrine]

Agreed Duque.

But, if Clemens win it this year, could we not use the same angle on him and Mussina to some extent?

Clemens is still probably the best pitcher ever to come along in the last 50 years.

Yeah, Clemens would lose out to Mussina and Garcia (who should win) if there's any justice. ERA with a solid number of IP should be the first priority in Cy Young voting. It is the main determinant in how good a pitcher does. Wins are a function of ERA combined with run support, which an American League pitcher has nothing to do with. Strikeouts contribute to ERA, WHIP corresponds to ERA (minus the pitcher's ability to get out of jams, which is important), and any other stat that might be looked at can be accounted for in an ERA if it shows how good the pitcher is in any phase. Cy Young voters should simply look toward ERA, so long as the pitcher has a comparable amount of innings pitched. No doubt Clemens was better in 1990. As a matter of fact, I believe Dave Stewart probably was, too.