Past Dominant Pitching Tandems

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Aug 28, 2009

Past Dominant Pitching Tandems

Paul Derringer and Bucky Walters

Walters and Derringer (inset) both reached 20 wins in 1939 and 1940, combining to go 94-40 during the two-year span. The duo also won two games apiece in Cincinnati's seven-game triumph over Detroit in the 1940 World Series.

Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain

"Spahn and Sain and pray for rain" is one of the most famous phrases in sports history. In the five-season span from 1946 to '50, Spahn and Sain combined to win 181 games. In 1947 Spahn went 21-10 with a NL-leading 2.33 ERA, while Sain went 21-12 with a 3.52 ERA.

Bob Lemon and Early Wynn

Both Hall of Famers, Lemon and Wynn terrorized American League hitters as teammates from 1949 to '57. During that time, Lemon led the league in wins three times, while Wynn had four 20-win seasons (including a league-leading 23 wins in 1954).

Dave McNally and Jim Palmer

This dominant duo put together some very impressive numbers during their nine seasons together. In the five-year period from 1969 to '73, Palmer and McNally combined to go 194-97.

Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax

Perhaps the most imposing 1-2 punch in baseball history, Drysdale and Koufax carried the Dodgers to World Series titles in 1959, '63 and '65. Drysdale won the Cy Young Award in 1962, and Koufax followed by taking home the hardware in 1963, '65 and '66.

Gaylord Perry and Juan Marichal

From 1964 to '71, these Hall of Famers dominated the National League. Perry posted a 2.88 ERA over that eight-year span, finishing second in the Cy Young race in 1970. Meanwhile, Marichal went 159-78 with a 2.60 ERA and made the All-Star Game seven times.

Steve Carlton and Bob Gibson

From 1968 to '71, Bob Gibson was named NL MVP once, won two Cy Young Awards, made four All-Star teams, was awarded four Gold Gloves and posted a 2.32 ERA. Meanwhile, Carlton made three All-Star teams and had a very nice 3.14 ERA.

Catfish Hunter and Vida Blue

From 1969 to '74, Blue and Hunter combined to go 188-107. Blue won the MVP and Cy Young Award in 1971, and Hunter won the Cy Young in 1974 and made four All-Star teams. And of course, these two helped Oakland win three straight World Series titles from 1972 to '74.

Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine

Both Maddux and Glavine are 300-game winners and unquestionable Hall of Famers. From 1993 to 2002, the duo compiled an absurd combined record of 347-160. Maddux won three straight Cy Youngs from 1993 to '95 and Glavine took one home in 1998.

Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson

In 2001 and 2002, Schilling and Johnson each won 45 games. In both seasons, Johnson won the NL Cy Young Award and Schilling finished second in the voting. The duo carried the Diamondbacks to a surprising World Series title in 2001, combining to go 9-1 over the three playoff rounds.