Starting pitchers have always generated some of the fiercest Hall of Fame debates.

Unlike position players, pitchers are often judged through a combination of traditional statistics, advanced analytics, awards, postseason success, longevity, peak dominance, and historical impact. That balancing act has created countless Cooperstown arguments over the years.

The recent election of CC Sabathia has only intensified those discussions.

Sabathia earned his Hall of Fame plaque through a combination of durability, consistency, postseason success, and accumulation over a remarkable 19-year career. His induction was widely celebrated and deserved, but it also raises questions about several overlooked pitchers whose résumés compare favorably.

Sabathia finished with:

• 251 wins
• 3,093 strikeouts
• 3.74 ERA
• 62.3 WAR
• 6 All-Star selections
• 2007 AL Cy Young Award
• 2019 World Series champion
• More than 3,500 innings pitched

His election demonstrates that Hall of Fame voters continue to value complete careers rather than simply chasing milestone numbers.

Using Sabathia as the benchmark, several overlooked starters deserve renewed Cooperstown discussion.

1. Vida Blue

Few pitchers have ever exploded onto the Major League scene the way Vida Blue did.

The charismatic left-hander became one of baseball’s brightest stars during the early 1970s, helping lead the Oakland Athletics into one of the greatest dynasties in baseball history. Blue’s electric fastball and fearless approach made him one of the game’s premier pitchers almost immediately.

His career résumé includes:

• 209 wins
• 2,175 strikeouts
• 3.27 ERA
• 58.0 WAR
• 6 All-Star selections
• 1971 AL MVP
• 1971 AL Cy Young Award
• 3 World Series championships

Blue remains one of only a handful of pitchers to win both the MVP and Cy Young Award in the same season, accomplishing the feat at just 21 years old.

Compared to Sabathia, Blue enjoyed a higher peak, posted a significantly lower ERA, captured three World Series titles, and owns one of the greatest individual seasons in baseball history. While Sabathia accumulated more wins and strikeouts through longevity, Blue’s dominance at his best makes him one of the strongest overlooked candidates on any Hall of Fame ballot.

2. Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle never threw 100 mph and rarely made headlines, but few pitchers of the modern era were more dependable.

The longtime Chicago White Sox ace quietly became the definition of consistency, taking the ball every fifth day for nearly two decades while giving his club a chance to win.

Buehrle finished with:

• 214 wins
• 3.81 ERA
• 1,870 strikeouts
• 60.0 WAR
• 5 All-Star selections
• 4 Gold Gloves
• 2005 World Series champion
• Perfect Game
• No-Hitter

Perhaps most remarkably, Buehrle made at least 30 starts in 14 consecutive seasons and threw at least 200 innings in 14 straight years, a feat that may never be duplicated in today’s game.

Compared to Sabathia, Buehrle’s WAR is nearly identical despite recording far fewer strikeouts. His remarkable durability, elite defense, championship pedigree, and unmatched consistency give him one of the strongest Hall of Fame cases among recently retired pitchers.

3. Jerry Koosman

Jerry Koosman spent much of his career living in the shadow of Tom Seaver, but that shouldn’t diminish one of the finest careers of his generation.

The longtime New York Mets left-hander was instrumental in delivering the “Miracle Mets” their improbable 1969 World Series title before continuing to pitch effectively for nearly two decades.

Koosman’s résumé includes:

• 222 wins
• 2,556 strikeouts
• 3.36 ERA
• 57.0 WAR
• World Series champion

Koosman recorded four 20-win seasons and consistently pitched against the best lineups of one of baseball’s toughest eras.

Compared to Sabathia, Koosman finished with a considerably lower ERA and nearly identical overall value. Had he pitched anywhere other than alongside Seaver, it’s likely his accomplishments would have received far greater national attention.

4. Orel Hershiser

Few pitchers in baseball history have authored a peak quite like Orel Hershiser‘s.

The longtime Los Angeles Dodgers ace produced one of the greatest seasons ever by a starting pitcher in 1988, setting the Major League record with 59 consecutive scoreless innings before leading the Dodgers to an unforgettable World Series championship.

Hershiser finished with:

• 204 wins
• 2,014 strikeouts
• 3.48 ERA
• 56.0 WAR
• 1988 NL Cy Young Award
• World Series champion
• World Series MVP
• NLCS MVP
• Gold Glove Award

His legendary postseason performance in 1988 remains one of the greatest October runs any pitcher has ever assembled.

Compared to Sabathia, Hershiser enjoyed a higher peak and owns a stronger postseason résumé, complete with both NLCS and World Series MVP honors. While his career totals fall short due to injuries later in his career, his dominance at his best belongs alongside many Hall of Fame pitchers.

5. Kevin Brown

Kevin Brown may be the greatest starting pitcher not currently in the Hall of Fame.

Unfortunately, his candidacy has often been overshadowed by the steroid era, despite never failing a drug test or serving a suspension. That cloud has likely prevented many voters from fully appreciating one of the most dominant pitchers of the 1990s.

Brown’s career includes:

• 211 wins
• 2,397 strikeouts
• 3.28 ERA
• 68.2 WAR
• 6 All-Star selections
• 1996 ERA title

Advanced metrics paint an even stronger picture. Brown’s WAR exceeds Sabathia’s by nearly six wins, while his ERA is substantially lower despite pitching during one of the highest-scoring offensive eras in baseball history.

Compared to Sabathia, Brown was arguably the superior pitcher at his peak and accumulated greater overall value according to modern analytics. His omission has become increasingly difficult to justify as advanced metrics continue playing a larger role in Hall of Fame discussions.

Why CC Sabathia Strengthens These Cases

CC Sabathia’s election reinforced an important truth about Hall of Fame pitching: there is no single path to Cooperstown.

Some pitchers build Hall-worthy careers through longevity. Others dominate with historic peaks, postseason heroics, championships, or exceptional advanced metrics.

Vida Blue delivered one of the greatest individual seasons ever by a pitcher.

Mark Buehrle became the model of consistency and durability.

Jerry Koosman quietly built a remarkable career while pitching alongside an all-time legend.

Orel Hershiser authored one of baseball’s greatest postseason performances.

Kevin Brown compiled one of the strongest analytical résumés of any eligible pitcher.

When measured against the standards that helped send CC Sabathia to Cooperstown, all five present compelling Hall of Fame arguments.

Whether through the Veterans Committee or the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee, Vida Blue, Mark Buehrle, Jerry Koosman, Orel Hershiser, and Kevin Brown deserve serious Hall of Fame reevaluation as baseball continues to refine how pitching greatness is measured.