Wood vs Burly

[Tim]

One of the writers at 312 posted an interesting article just now asking which is more impressive: Wood's 20K game as a rookie or Burly's perfect game. I don't agree with the writer's logic, but believe he reached the right conclusion.

 

Anyone care to stick up for the perfecta?

[Pushfrog98]

For some reason, I was thinking the perfect game was against the Royals, not the Rays.

[Guest]

I'm pretty sure he's right that it was the Rays.

[Garwilly]

It was the Rays.

[Pushfrog98]

Yeah, I was just saying that before reading the article, i had thought it was against the Royals, then learned it was against the Rays, which makes it much more impressive.

[Andy]

20-K games: 4

Perfect games: 18

 

"Who?" needed an otherworldly defensive play to save his perfecto. Wood needed someone to miss a playable grounder at third base to NOT get a no-hitter.

 

Wood's game is better. There's no debate.

[BeerHere]

I remember the arguments with sox fans - who would you rather have - Buehrle or Wood. I also remember arguing that I would rather have Wood - I was an ignorant fool.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Game Score:

 

Burly: 93

Wood: 105

[Four and Twenty]

Anyone care to stick up for the perfecta?

 

No.

 

There have been sixteen perfect games in the Modern Era. There have been three 20 strikeout games during that same time period. Nine players are involved in a perfect game. Two are involved in a 20 strikeout game, with the catcher making a minor contribution.

 

This wouldn't even be worth discussing if DeWayne Wise hadn't robbed Kapler. Truly a spectacular catch considering the scenario, one with which Mark Buehrle had nothing to do with other than delivering the tater across the plate that made it possible.

 

Woody's performance most definitely edges out Buehrle's.

 

Edit: I forgot Clemens struck out 20 twice.

Edited March 24, 2010 by Four and Twenty

[Sammy Sofa]

I remember the arguments with sox fans - who would you rather have - Buehrle or Wood. I also remember arguing that I would rather have Wood - I was an ignorant fool.

 

Depends on the context of the argument. If it's looking at how their careers actually played out to this point, yeah, Buerhle makes a lot more sense. If it's some kind of hypothetical where both are coming into the league at the same time and significant DL time is a complete question mark, you'd be a fool to not argue for Wood.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

There have been two 20 strikeout games during that same time period

Clemens had 2 by himself

[Four and Twenty]

There have been two 20 strikeout games during that same time period

Clemens had 2 by himself

 

I just caught that and fixed it. Thanks.

[Garwilly]

There have been two 20 strikeout games during that same time period

Clemens had 2 by himself

 

I just caught that and fixed it. Thanks.

 

And Randy.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

with an asterisk

[erik316wttn]

20-K games: 4

Perfect games: 18

 

"Who?" needed an otherworldly defensive play to save his perfecto. Wood needed someone to miss a playable grounder at third base to NOT get a no-hitter.

 

Wood's game is better. There's no debate.

 

Exactly the point I was going to make.

 

Kerry Wood didn't need anybody's help to strike out 20 guys. Buehrle (sp?) needed some help from his teammates. The perfect game was more of a team effort than anything.

 

The 20K game is THE single most dominating pitching performance in baseball history. Bar none. Only eight men even put the ball in play that day. No no-hitter or perfect game can say that. Even the other 20-k games gave up some hits and even a run or two if I'm not mistaken.

[Four and Twenty]

with an asterisk

 

Exactly. I was specifically referring to 20K games that were completed in 9 innings.

 

I suppose Johnson could be included for the 11 inning game against Cincinnati because he did strikeout 20 in 9 innings of work. He did not, however, get the win. Of course that is through no fault of his own.

 

It should be noted that the 21K outing by Tom Cheney was in 16 innings of work. He only had 13 strikeouts through 9 innings.

Edited March 24, 2010 by Four and Twenty

[UMFan83]

Can't say I'd take the perfect game. Don't get me wrong, major props to Buehrle, that was a terrific game and the kind of performance you only see a few times in a lifetime. It's probably in the top 30 pitched games of all time. But yeah Wood was unhittable that game. Yes he gave up a hit - a week grounder that a fielder with more range might have gotten to. I'd have to watch the game, but I don't believe that any balls were hit all that hard by Wood, or even aided by a good defense effort, but I can't say that with 100% confidence. If Buehrle's is top 30, Wood's is top 10. And I don't even feel like a homer saying that. In fact I think you'd get some Sox fans that agree. Not all but some.

[Four and Twenty]

Adrian Joss pitched a perfect game on October 2, 1908 with just 74 pitches and only 3 strikeouts. Talk about a team effort.

[Bote McBoteface]

*ahem*

 

Who's Mark Buehrle?

[UMFan83]

Adrian Joss pitched a perfect game on October 2, 1908 with just 74 pitches and only 3 strikeouts. Talk about a team effort.

 

Maybe Fred can shed some light on that game since he was there.

[Andy]

Can't say I'd take the perfect game. Don't get me wrong, major props to Buehrle, that was a terrific game and the kind of performance you only see a few times in a lifetime. It's probably in the top 30 pitched games of all time. But yeah Wood was unhittable that game. Yes he gave up a hit - a week grounder that a fielder with more range might have gotten to. I'd have to watch the game, but I don't believe that any balls were hit all that hard by Wood, or even aided by a good defense effort, but I can't say that with 100% confidence. If Buehrle's is top 30, Wood's is top 10. And I don't even feel like a homer saying that. In fact I think you'd get some Sox fans that agree. Not all but some.

I'd have to watch it again too - I have that Cubs DVD set that includes the game - but the first time I watched it, I was struck by just HOW easy all the plays were. I mean, only 7 outs were recorded in play to begin with, and I'm pretty sure the ball hit to Orie was the only one that even required a half-ass effort to get to.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

I would say more luck went into MB's perfect game. Kerry Wood's 20 k game was the most amazing pitching performance I have ever seen in my lifetime, and it may possibly be the most amazing I ever do see.

[Sammys Boombox]

Wood almost has the perfect game himself. A bleeder for an infield hit and a curve that got away and hit the guy who holds the record for the most times being hit (although this one he actually didn't lean into). Wood's game was so much more dominating. The hitters knew what was coming and it didn't matter. He made good players look like they were picking up the bat for the first time and taking some hacks in the cage.

[ELCABALLO45]

I would probably have to go with Wood on this one. Buehrle probably faced the stronger line up, but Wood was filthy that day.

 

What I think is even more impressive is the fact that Buehrle's next start he went into the 6th with a perfect game as well.

[Sammys Boombox]

I would probably have to go with Wood on this one. Buehrle probably faced the stronger line up, but Wood was filthy that day.

 

What I think is even more impressive is the fact that Buehrle's next start he went into the 6th with a perfect game as well.

 

Not trying to one up or anything, but Wood had an awesome beginning to his next game as well. Unfortunately, he left with injury IIRC.