Monster pitcher, nine ERA titles in hitter's parks in a hitters era. 300 game winner, and to think that he didn't even appear in the majors until he was 25 because Baltimore, then a minor league franchise, held on to him. Tough, mean, ultra-competitive. The best pitcher of his time, even greater than Dean, Ruffing, Vance, etc.

If Sandy Koufax had had a full career, he might have finished as great as Lefty Grove. Grove's 9 ERA titles, while pitching almost all his career in hitters' parks, is still 3 more than anyone else has ever had. He has the record for most league leads in won-lost percentage, too. Just about as good as Koufax at his peak, if not better, and for career value there is no comparison. (Lifetime W-L records: 165-87 for Koufax, 300-141 for Grove.) The greatest left-handed pitcher ever.

I think this guy is the greatest left-hander ever, just a shade better than Koufax. Possessed of a desire to win almost unmatched in history, his temper was all but ungovernable when he lost. It was Grove of whom a sportswriter once said that he threw so hard he could throw a lamb-chop past a wolf. Smart, ornery, blazing speed and a nasty curve.