A look at the best staffs ever
By Rob Neyer
ESPNET SportsZone
Comparing teams -- or in this case pitching staffs -- from different eras is 
tough because of the changing conditions and styles of play. But boy, it sure 
is fun. There can be little doubt that the current Atlanta Braves pitching 
staff, especially the rotation, ranks as one of baseball's best ever. But is 
it the best?
Below are some of the other candidates. Listed with the team is the staff 
ERA, along with the league ERA that season. Remember, a 2.72 ERA in 1996 
means something different than a 2.72 ERA in 1906.
You know you have a strong staff when Tom Glavine is the No. 3 pitcher in the
rotation.
1906 Chicago Cubs
Staff ERA: 1.75
League ERA: 2.62
The ought-six Cubs were the most dominant team of this century, and their
pitchers had a lot to do with it. Led by Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown (26-6,
1.04), a no-brainer Hall of Famer, the Cubs went 116-36 and finished 20 games
ahead of the second-place New York Giants. Brown was more than ably backed by
Jack Pfiester (20-8, 1.56), Ed Reulbach (19-4, 1.65) and Carl Lundgren (17-6,
2.21). Even in the Dead Ball Era, those are impressive numbers.
1931 Philadelphia Athletics
Staff ERA: 3.47
League ERA: 4.38
Even with half of their games in a good hitter's park, the Athletics
nevertheless led the American League with a 3.47 ERA. Lefty Grove, who Bill
James has suggested might be the game's greatest pitcher, had his greatest
year: 31-4 with a league-best 2.04 ERA. George Earnshaw (21-7, 3.67) and Rube
Walberg (20-12, 3.74) both topped 20 wins, while Roy Mahaffey (15-4, 4.22) 
and future Hall of Famer Waite Hoyt (10-5, 4.22) chipped in as well.
1954 Cleveland Indians
Staff ERA: 2.78
League ERA: 3.72
The '54 Tribe was probably baseball's most dominant club since the '06 Cubs.
Those Indians featured not one, not two, not three, but four future Hall of
Famers. Bob Lemon (23-7, 2.72) and Early Wynn (23-11, 2.72) anchored the
rotation, while Bob Feller (13-3, 3.09) and Hal Newhouser (7-2, 2.49) were
useful in utility roles. The No. 3 and 4 starters, Mike Garcia (19-8, AL-best
2.64 ERA) and Art Houtteman (15-7, 3.35) also had very good seasons. The
Indians also featured a pair of top relievers, Don Mossi (6-1, 1.94) and Ray
Narleski (13 saves, 2.22). This staff went eight deep, and it was awesome.
1971 Baltimore Orioles
Staff ERA: 2.99
League ERA: 3.46
The '71 Orioles remain only the second team ever to feature four 20-game
winners, in Dave McNally (21-5, 2.89), Pat Dobson (20-8, 2.90), and Jim 
Palmer (20-9, 2.68), Mike Cuellar (20-9).
If John Smoltz wins the Cy Young this season, he'll be the third current 
Brave to boast the award.
True, only one Hall of Famer here (Palmer), but Cuellar and McNally each 
enjoyed three other 20-win seasons. Only Dobson was really over his head in 
'71. Eddie Watt was the club's top reliever, but he pitched only 40 innings 
and saved 11 games. But then, with 71 complete games, the Orioles starters 
didn't need a lot of help.
(Note: The first team with four 20-game winners was the 1920 White Sox, but I
disqualified them because they finished second to Cleveland and two of the
20-game winners, Eddie Cicotte and Lefty Williams, were crooked.)
1996 Atlanta Braves
Staff ERA: 3.52
League ERA: 4.21
Are these Braves the best ever? Perhaps, perhaps. Doing half their pitching 
in a good park for hitters, three Atlanta starters ranked in the top five in 
the National League in ERA:
2. Greg Maddux (15-11, 2.72)
4. John Smoltz (24-8, 2.94)
5. Tom Glavine (15-10, 2.98)
Assuming Smoltz wins the Cy Young, that means the Braves will boast every Cy
Young winner since 1991, in Smoltz, Glavine (1991) and Maddux (1992 as a Cub,
1993-1995 as a Brave). Over the last five years, Maddux has put together
perhaps the most brilliant run since Walter Johnson, 80-odd years ago.
Still, one wonders if the 1993 Braves staff wasn't better than the current
version. While this year's Braves didn't boast a solid fourth starter until
Denny Neagle joined the club, the '93 squad went four deep. Check these guys
out, with their ERA rank below:
1. Greg Maddux (20-10, 2.36)
5. Steve Avery (18-6, 2.94)
8. Tom Glavine (22-6, 3.20)
17. John Smoltz (15-11, 3.62)
That was a pretty awesome group. However, they weren't backed up by a closer
the likes of Mark Wohlers, though Greg McMichael did pitch effectively while
saving 19 games.
And of course, the 1993 Braves did not win the World Series. In fact -- and 
this might come as a big surprise -- none of the five staffs listed here won 
the Series (though the Braves are well on their way this season). The 1906 
Cubs lost to the White Sox, the '31 Athletics lost to the Cardinals, the '54 
Indians were swept by the Giants, and the '71 Orioles lost to the Pirates.
And they say baseball is 75 percent pitching.
... (^:b Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Avery, Neagle d:^)
--- JetMail 0.99beta22
---------------