New York Mets Best Starters vs New York Yankees Best Starters Since 1962

The New York Yankees are the greatest franchise in sports history.

They have had more outstanding players than any other franchise, but there is one important area in which the New York Mets top the Yankees.

Since their inception in 1962, the Mets have had greater starting pitches than the Yankees.

To be considered in the proceeding matchup, a pitcher must have spent at least five full seasons with the team since 1962.

Tom Seaver tops the Mets' list.

Whitey Ford, although most of his best seasons occurred before 1962, tops the Yankees' list.

Seaver beats Ford (Being a Yankees fan, it's difficult to accept, but dear Mets fans—in a game that must be won, don't bet against Ford).

After Seaver and Ford, it gets a little tricky.

For pure talent, Dwight Gooden was better than even Seaver, but we all know about Gooden's problems. Still, he is the second best starter in Mets' history.

The Yankees second best starter is probably Ron Guidry. His best season of 1978 rivaled Gooden's of 1984.

Guidry was 25-3 with a 1.74 ERA, a 0.946 WHIP and a 208 ERA+.

Gooden was 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA, a 0.965 WHIP and a 229 ERA+.

As Red Barber might ask Phil Rizzuto, "Do you think they were good pitchers?"

For his Mets career, Gooden was 157-85 with a 3.10 ERA, a 1.175 WHIP and a 116 ERA+.

Guidry finished with a record of 170-91 with a 3.29 ERA, a 1.184 WHIP and a 119 ERA+.

Gooden had a career WAR of 41.2 over 2,169.7 innings.

Guidry had a career WAR of 44.4 over 2,392 innings.

The only decision is a draw.

Each had one amazing season and the numbers are almost identical, both for their best season as well as for their careers.

The drop-off from Gooden to Koosman is almost non-existent. An argument could be made that Koosman, not Gooden, ranks behind Seaver.

With the Mets, Koosman was 140-137 with a 3.09 ERA, a 1.219 WHIP and a 113 ERA+. His WAR was 41.8 over 2,544.7 innings.

Andy Pettitte matches Koosman, especially since he pitched most of his career in an offensive era. If he hadn't gone to the Houston Astros, Pettitte would have eclipsed many of Ford's numbers, but that wouldn't have meant that he was a better pitcher.

In his Yankees seasons, Pettitte was 203-112 with a 3.98 ERA, a 1.383 WHIP and a 115 ERA+. He had a 42.4 WAR over 2535.7 innings.

I saw all of Koosman's and all of Pettitte's careers. I am biased so I pick Pettitte, but ....

After Seaver, Gooden and Koosman, all of whom came up through the Mets' system, the fourth and fifth starters would be selected from among Jon Matlack, Sid Fernandez, David Cone and Ron Darling.

After Ford, Guidry and Pettitte, all of whom came up through the Yankees' system, the fourth starter is Mike Mussina, who won 123 games after his Baltimore Orioles years.

C.C. Sabathia hasn't had five seasons with the Yankees, which means that the fifth starter would be David Cone. Interesting how Cone and Gooden joined the Yankees and Al Leiter had his best years with Mets.

To summarize, the top five starters are:

1. Seaver over Ford.
2. Gooden-Guidry tie.
3. Pettitte over Koosman.
4. Cone (Mets) over Mussina.
5. Cone (Yankees) over Matlack or Fernandez or Darling.

So, once again, Tom Seaver is the reason that the Mets win.