Roger Clemens & the Cy Young

I'm tired of all these people bellyaching that Roger Clemens should win the NL Cy Young. Ya know what? If the season ended today, no he shouldn't. Chris Carpenter 17 Wins (1st), 2.25 ERA (2nd), 169K (3rd), 4 Shutouts (T-1st), 6 Complete Games (1st) is the runaway winner.

I'm tired of people whining, "But the Astros haven't given him any run support! No run support! He would have 18 wins if he had run support! Wahhhhh" Well ya know what? Those are the freaking breaks, sorry. That's why winning the Cy Young is such a special achievement. It's not just your success, but the team behind you, a bit of magic, a bit of luck.

I'd lose my voice naming all the candidates in the last few years who, if given better run support, would have had more wins. Yes, more runs for your team equals more wins; it's not difficult math. Why don't you Astros fans go whine to Nolan Ryan, and see what he has to say about fairness. Ryan is one of the greatest pitchers the game has ever seen, but his teams (READ: including the Astros) sucked. He finished his stellar career with barely more wins than losses.

Interesting: Ryan led the league in ERA (2.76) in 1987, yet was 8-16. Because of the Astros. Apparently, this is not a new problem:

In 1987 the forty-year-old Ryan continued to defy the calendar with 270 strikeouts in 212 innings and his second ERA title. Unfortunately, the Astros' dismal offense left him with an 8-16 record that cost him the Cy Young Award.

Perhaps the Astros are like poison for HOF-bound ageless wonders finishing their careers.

Like Buster Olney said the other night on Sportscenter, WINS are the first thing voters look at. Even if Clemens ends up with 18 wins, if Carpenter wins 25 with a 2.30 ERA, it's no contest.

And you expect me to feel sorry for Rog, with his six Cy Youngs, the most ever? Sorry, I'm not cheering for his 7th.

TV Heads Up
Be sure to tune in to NBC tomorrow night (Tuesday) at 9EST for the Tommy Lee Goes to College premiere! Tommy Lee at the University of Nebraska!!! Sure to be super fun, and maybe you can see why I love Nebraska so much...the people are so great, and the quality of life in Lincoln is more wholesome than multigrain Cheerios. Buzz is, Tommy Lee was uber polite to everyone involved. (any Nebraskans care to comment on that?)

When asked why Lincoln was chosen, Lee responded: “Because it rules, man.” LOVE IT.