Southpaws

Baseball Digest, August, 2000 by Gerry Fraley

5. WHITEY FORD

W-L: 236-106; ERA: 2.74; SO: 1,956; IP: 3,171

Ford was the money pitcher during the New York Yankees' championship run of the 1950s and early 1960s, setting World Series records that still stand for wins (10), consecutive scoreless innings (33) and strikeouts (94). His regular-season record gives him the best winning percentage (.690) of any 20th century pitcher. He won the Cy Young in 1961, led the A.L. in wins three times and in ERA and shutouts twice. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1974.

6. CARL HUBBELL

W-L: 253-154; ERA: 2.98; SO: 1,677; IP: 3,591

The New York Giants' ace of the 1930s, Hubbell led his teams to three pennants in a five-year span in which he averaged 23 wins and won two MVP Awards. Known for his top-notch screwball, Hubbell compiled a streak of 46 consecutive scoreless innings in 1933. He finished the 1936 season by winning 16 consecutive decisions and won eight straight to start the 1937 season--setting an all-time consecutive win streak of 24 games. He gained everlasting fame for his performance in the 1934 Ali-Star Game, when he struck out, in succession, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, At Simmons and Joe Cronin. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1947.

7. RANDY JOHNSON

W-L: 168-89; ERA: 3.26; SO: 2,814; IP: 2,338

The Big Unit could climb higher on this list before his career is through. At 36, Johnson already holds most of the career pitching records of the Seattle Mariners and is in the process of taking over the Arizona Diamondbacks' thin record book. Johnson last year became the first left-hander to win Cy Young Awards in both leagues, but the six-time Ali-Star still has not pitched for a pennant winner. He shares with Steve Carlton the record for most strikeouts in a game by a left-hander (19), which Johnson accomplished twice. Through late-May, Johnson was 186 strikeouts shy from becoming the 12th pitcher (second left-hander) in major league history to reach 3,000 lifetime whiffs. (Stats through May 29)

8. EDDIE PLANK

W-L: 305-181; ERA: 2,34; SO: 2,112; IP: 4,234

Plank ranks 18th on baseball's all-time wins list with 305 victories (third among lefthanders). He pitched more shutouts (64) and complete games (387) than any other lefthander. Plank pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1901-17 and helped the team win six pennants while also posting eight 20-win seasons. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1936.

9. TOM GLAVINE

W-L: 194-117; ERA: 3.38; SO: 1,716; IP: 2,737

Atlanta's two-time Cy Young winner has been the backbone of the Braves' lengthy but ultimately unsatisfying dynasty. The six-time Ali-Star has appeared in 26 post-season games in his career but posted only a 10-11 record in October. He was the Series MVP of the only World Series the Braves won in the past decade (1995). He's a four-time 20-game winner--including three in a row (1991-1993) and is one of only four left-handers (Koufax, Carlton, Johnson) to win multiple Cy Young Awards. (Stats through May 29)

10. LEFTY GOMEZ

W-L: 189-102; ERA: 3.34; SO: 1,468; IP: 2,503