The Dickeys: Amazin' Avenue 2011 Mets Awards, Best Starting Pitcher

by Chris McShane on Oct 19, 2011 1:30 PM EDT

Aa_award_medium

After unanimously naming Mike Pelfrey the Mets' worst starting pitcher this season, we turn our attention to the better part of the rotation. Although starting pitching was a weakeness for the Mets this year, it wasn't all bad. I've said it a bunch of times already, but the fate of the rotation will depend on whether or not Johan Santana can pitch like his previously healthy self. On the upside, R.A. Dickey and Jon Niese are both here for at least next season.

Only three pitchers received any votes for the Dickey for Best Starting Pitcher, which brings us to the nominees:

Chris Capuano: There was no room for Capuano in the Brewers' rotation after they acquired Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, and the Mets scooped him up last winter with hopes he could remain healthy in their rotation. He did just that, throwing 186 innings over 31 starts. His 4.55 ERA didn't live up to his peripherals, which were very good, mainly because he was prone to giving up home runs. The highlight of Capuano's season came on August 26, as he pitched a two-hit, thirteen-strikeout shutout against the Braves.

R.A. Dickey: The well-spoken knuckleballer followed up his remarkable 2010 season with another very good one. Like last year, his walk rate was outstanding, especially since he throws the kunckleball. Dickey threw 208.2 innings, producing a 3.28 ERA, and he was fantastic for most of the year after struggling a bit at the beginning.

Jon Niese: Like Capuano, Niese's ERA didn't quite live up to his peripherals, which were also very good. With 7.89 K/9 and 2.52 BB/9, Niese probably should have wound up with better results. Of concern for Niese was his .333 BABIP, which might suggest poor luck in smaller samples but was nearly in line with his career mark of .329. It looked as though Niese was going to finish the year with over thirty starts, but he got hurt in September and did not get a chance to pitch a full season.

And now, the Dickey for Best Starting Pitcher goes to...

R.A. Dickey, of course!

It wasn't unanimous, but us stat nerds closed our spreadsheets, watched some actual baseball games, and voted for the guy with the best ERA over the guy with the best xFIP. Here is how everyone voted:

	1st	2nd	3rd
Bill	Jonathon Niese	R.A. Dickey	Chris Capuano
Chris	R.A. Dickey	Jonathon Niese	Chris Capuano
Eno	Jonathon Niese	R.A. Dickey	Chris Capuano
Eric	R.A. Dickey	Jonathon Niese	Chris Capuano
James	R.A. Dickey	Jonathon Niese	Chris Capuano
Matthew A.	Jonathon Niese	R.A. Dickey	Chris Capuano
Matthew C.	R.A. Dickey	Jonathon Niese	Chris Capuano
Rob	R.A. Dickey	Jonathon Niese	Chris Capuano

And here is the final vote tally:

Player	Points
R.A. Dickey	21
Jon Niese	19
Chris Capuano	8

And now it's your turn to vote. We'll sum up the community awards in a post at the conclusion of The Dickeys.

Poll

Who was the Mets' best starting pitcher in 2011?

Miguel Batista

5 votes

Chris Capuano

4 votes

D.J. Carrasco

3 votes

R.A. Dickey

198 votes

Dillon Gee

27 votes

Jon Niese

47 votes

Mike Pelfrey

10 votes

Chris Schwinden

6 votes

Chris Young

19 votes

319 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 33 comments | 1 recs |

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Comments

Love Dickey

But I’d give it to Niese overall.

Also, who’s trolling with that Mike Pelfrey vote.

by Evan_S on Oct 19, 2011 1:36 PM EDT reply actions

2 votes for Pelfrey now

and it has to be the same fans that voted Igarashi as best BP pitcher.

by MetsFan4Decades on Oct 19, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions

aka

people incapable of passing up a chance to troll. in this case, i salute their sense of irony.

by BurleighGrimes on Oct 19, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I voted Dickey

Niese’s stats were slightly better in most categories but Dickey pitched 50 more innings, which made him a hair more valuable in my eyes.

by TheBigStapler on Oct 19, 2011 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

exactly

by BurleighGrimes on Oct 19, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I voted Dickey as well.

Gave the edge to him for staying on the field all year and making his starts even with the torn plantar and broken fingernail and I believe a sore arm or shoulder at some point.

RAmen.

by MetsFan4Decades on Oct 19, 2011 1:46 PM EDT reply actions

I voted Dickey

but it was definitely Chris Young – our best hitting pitcher too

2012 New York Mets, World Series Champions!

by astromets on Oct 19, 2011 2:06 PM EDT reply actions

CY was great, if only he had stayed healthy

Hey, wait! I'm having one of those things. You know? A headache with pictures?

by KeithsMoustache on Oct 19, 2011 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Unbelievably small sample size, but I was tempted to vote for him, too.

by Curtis3331 on Oct 21, 2011 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions

RAmen

What Would Matt Szczur Do?
Fact on Villanova Sports

by Hoyadestroya85 on Oct 19, 2011 2:11 PM EDT reply actions

Wow our starting pitching sucked this year

You don't cheer for the Mets. You drink for the Mets.

by Kevin H on Oct 19, 2011 2:27 PM EDT reply actions

I posted this in response to the troll in the Worst Pitcher thread but I figure I'd post it here as well because it's why I voted for Dickey.

Some Dickey facts about this season:
1) He only allowed more than 4 earned runs 3 times.
2) He limited the opposition to 4 runs or less 29 times.
3) He limited the opposition to 3 runs of less 26 times.
4) He ended the season on a streak of 12 games of 3 earned runs or less.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Oct 19, 2011 2:28 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

RAmen

Eternal Praise Be To Thy One True God R.A. Dickey

by Spike Davis on Oct 19, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's why I voted for Dickey:

It’s Dickey.

Mets, Devils, Jets, Knicks
Follow me on Twitter: @ZachandKovy917
Dickey be Praised!

by santana9237 on Oct 19, 2011 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I voted Niese

but after learning these facts I changed my mind, I pick Dickey

Bobby Baseball - The future of Amazin' Avenue.

by Bobby Baseball on Oct 19, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

flip flopper

by lstorie1971 on Oct 19, 2011 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

These gentlemen would like a word with you

__________________________________________________
"He who gets the best players usually wins" - Bobby Bowden

by Russ on Oct 19, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

But nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Now, kids, being eaten by a crocodile is just like going to sleep; in giant blender.

by meigs1414 on Oct 19, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

"To vote for another pitcher as one votes for a Dickey is an abomination."

-Dickeyicus 20:13

Eternal Praise Be To Thy One True God R.A. Dickey

by Spike Davis on Oct 19, 2011 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

Everyone knows it's Dickey...

Who’s peekin’ out from under the dugout
Throwin a pitch that’s lighter than air
Who’s bending down to give me a knuckler
Everyone knows it’s Dickey

Who’s walking down the streets of the city
Smilin’ at everybody he sees
Who’s reachin’ out to capture a moment
Everyone knows it’s Dickey

And Dickey has stor-my eyes
That flash at the sound of lies
And Windy has wings to fly
Above the clouds (above the clouds)
Above the clouds (above the clouds)

Proud to root for the Jets, Mets, and Islanders!!!
Twitter: cmauceri524

by CharlieIsles on Oct 19, 2011 3:24 PM EDT reply actions