“I owe the public just one thing – a good performance.”

-Bob Gibson

Four pitchers come immediately to mind that have done just that over the course of Dodger history. Don Drysdale, Clayton Kershaw, Sandy Koufax and Fernando Valenzuela all had complete control of the Dodger fanbase throughout their respective eras.

See if you can identify who did what. Report at the end of the article with how many you got correct.

Age 20

1. Player A had the highest ERA of 4.91.
2. Player B had a win percentage of just .500.
3. Player C led the quartet with 17 wins.
4. Player D led the quartet with 11 shutouts.

Age 21

1. Player A had the best K/9 with 10.5.
2. Player B led with an ERA of 2.79. 
3. Player C had the highest ERA of 4.17.
4. Player D had the best K/BB ratio with 2.95.

Age 22

1. Player A had the highest ERA of 4.48.
2. Player B had the lowest ERA of 2.91.
3. Player C had the most strikeouts with 248.
4. Player D had four shutouts.

Age 23

1. Player A had 173 strikeouts. 
2. Player B had the lowest ERA of 2.72.
3. Player C had 15 complete games. 
4. Player D walked 106 batters. 

Best Season

1. Player A went 27-9 with a 1.73 ERA with 317 strikeouts and 77 walks. 
2. Player B went 11-4 with a 2.72 ERA with 167 strikeouts and 38 walks.
3. Player C went 25-9 with a 2.83 ERA with 232 strikeouts and 78 walks.
4. Player D went 21-11 with a 3.14 ERA with 242 strikeouts and 85 walks.

Player A is Dodger-legend, Sandy Koufax. Koufax was signed in 1954 as a bonus baby, which meant that he was forced to spend his first two seasons on the 40-man roster and could not spend any time with any farm clubs. He pitched 12 seasons for the Dodgers and is commonly known as “The Left Arm of God”. His best season in reference is his last season in 1966.

Player B is current Dodger-ace, Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw is 23 years old and was the Dodgers first pick (7th) in the 2006 amateur draft. He spent little time in the minor leagues before coming up to the Dodgers at 20 years old in 2008. His best season in reference might be obvious. That season continues. He just shutout the Giants yesterday afternoon.

Player C is Dodger-legend, Don Drysdale, Koufax’s running-mate. Drysdale was also signed in 1954 and pitched 14 seasons for the Dodgers. Drysdale was from nearby Van Nuys High School. His best season in reference in 1962.

Pitcher D is former Dodger-ace, Fernando Valenzuela. El Toro was signed out of Obregon, Sonora, Mexico in the summer of 1979. He would then famously start in place of Jerry Reuss at Opening Day 1981. He pitched 11 years for the Dodgers before moving on to other clubs. His best season in reference was 1986

How many did you get right?