San Francisco Giants all-time rotation: Which five starting pitchers make the cut?

Christy Mathewson:

This one is a no-brainer.

Christy Mathewson, a New York Giant from 1900-1916, is simply one of the greatest pitchers of All-Time.

As fabulous as Bumgarner was in the 2014 World Series, Mathewson’s performance in the 1905 World Series is, arguably, the greatest postseason performance in baseball history.

In the 1905 World Series against the Philadelphia Athletics, Mathewson pitched three complete game shutouts in Games 1, 3, and 5. He struck out 18 batters while only allowing 13 hits, 1 walk, and 1 hit batsman.

A 2x Champion, Mathewson’s regular season numbers are equally as gaudy as his postseason heroics. He finished his career with a 373-188 record (nearly 67% winning percentage), a 2.13 career ERA, and a 1.058 WHIP. He won the pitching Triple Crown (wins, strikeouts, and ERA) in 1905 and 1908. He pitched 435 complete games and 4,700 innings and he threw two no-hitters.

I could go on and on with all his statistics, but put simply, the right-handed star was dominant. A member of the first five players to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, Mathewson was truly special. One of the greatest pitchers in baseball history undoubtedly deserves the top spot in the Giants’ All-Time rotation.