34. Warren Spahn
Despite not having a full season in the Majors until age 26, Braves legend Warren Spahn became the all time winningest left handed pitcher in MLB history thanks to his remarkable consistency.
After missing three seasons due to World War II, Spahn became one of the more consistent pitchers from the end of the 1940’s through the early 1960’s. He won twenty or more games 13 times, leading the National League eight times. A true workhorse, he had 17 consecutive seasons of 200 or more innings pitched, and led the league in complete games nine times.
A 14 time All-Star and the 1957 Cy Young award winner, Spahn finished his career with a 363-245 record, posting a 3.09 ERA and a 1.195 WHiP, striking out 2,583 batters. His 363 wins are the sixth most in baseball, and he ranks eighth all time in innings pitched, sixth in shutouts and 21st in complete games.
Considering his remarkable durability and consistency, Spahn may have missed his chance to be the third pitcher in MLB history to win 400 games due to World War II. Even if he managed 13 wins a season during that time, he would have eclipsed that mark. Given the lesser degree of talent in the majors at the time, it seems likely that Spahn would not have had a problem getting those victories.
One of the best left handed pitchers in baseball history, Warren Spahn was the model of durability and consistency. Yet, even with that production, one still has to wonder where Spahn would have ranked had he not lost that time due to his military service.
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