FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Peter Fritsch: Tom Gorzelanny (62 ERA+ in 105.3 IP) Sadly, promising young Pirates??? hurler Tom Gorzelanny was the worst pitcher in all of MLB during the 2008 season. Of all 142 pitchers with over 100 IP, Gorzelanny was last in ERA (6.66), tied for 131st in K???s (67), tied for 27th in BB (70), 141st in WHIP (1.86), 141st in OPS Against (.909), and posted an ERA+ of just 62. He was banished to AAA in early July, only to return and post four consecutive losses in August and September. While the numbers speak for themselves, there were a few other pitchers such as the Mariners??? Miguel Batista and Carlos Silva, the Orioles??? Brian Burres and Garrett Olson, and old-timer Livan Hernandez who were within smelling distance of Gorzelanny???s foul stench. But Batista???s, Silva???s, and Hernandez???s best years are long gone and little was expected of them. Burres and Olson were both terrible in 2007 and neither projected as the next Mike Mussina. Conversely, after a stellar 2007 in which he posted a 14-10 record, 112 ERA+, and nearly 2:1 K-to-BB ratio, at age 25, Gorzelanny was expected to take a step forward or at least maintain his productivity, not to regress to the point of complete ineffectiveness. Shaun Payne: Nate Robertson (70 ERA+ in 168.7 IP) In 2008 Nate Robertson had his worst season in the majors, which is saying something considering he has never posted an ERA under 3.84 in any season. Robertson had the highest ERA in the Majors among qualifiers by 0.30 earned runs per nine innings. If we look at all runs (not just earned runs) he had the highest Run Average by 0.36 runs per nine innings. The Tigers won just 12 times in 32 of his appearances. How did Robertson manage to pitch so badly in 2008? His walk rate was the 23rd worst among qualifiers and his strikeout rate was the 23rd lowest. He also allowed the 10th most home runs per nine innings and second most hits per nine innings. So Robertson walked hitters at a fairly high rate, he didn???t miss that many bats, and when he allowed contact it was hard contact. This is not a good formula for success in the Majors. Somehow the Tigers allowed him to start 28 games and throw over 168 innings. Don Ehrke: Brandon Backe (70 ERA+ in 166.7 IP) I thought about selecting Barry Zito due to his high salary and weak performance. If this article had been written in mid-season he probably would have been my pick. However, a winning record in the second half of the season salvaged Zito???s campaign. I also considered Nate Robertson; his season-long struggles came to symbolize Detroit???s miserably disappointing 2008 season. I chose to pick on the Astros again. Brandon Backe was last among National League pitchers in ERA (6.05) and led the Major Leagues in home runs allowed (36). Among those who qualified, Backe???s WHIP (1.67) was third worst in Major League Baseball. If there was a Triple Crown for worst ERA, WHIP and home runs allowed, Backe would have almost grabbed the title. Backe finished fourth in the National League in losses. One would suppose that the frequently injured and underperforming Backe would be careful not to jeopardize his fragile standing with the team. Last month???s arrest in a wedding reception brawl, however, was a sad end to a dismal season.