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We haven't done this exercise in a while, so why not?
Tom Glavine 1987-88:
9-21, 4.76 ERA in 245.2 IP
John Smoltz 1987
2-7, 5.48 ERA in 64 IP
Greg Maddux 1987-88
8-18, 5.59 in 186.2 IP
They eventually turned out great, but it was not an overnight success.
Tom Glavine 1987-88:
9-21, 4.76 ERA in 245.2 IP
John Smoltz 1987
2-7, 5.48 ERA in 64 IP
Greg Maddux 1987-88
8-18, 5.59 in 186.2 IP
They eventually turned out great, but it was not an overnight success.
Of the three, Smoltz found the most immediate success, putting up an All-Star season (12-11, 2.94 ERA) in his first full year (1989). Of course, he struggled mightily in 1991 at age 24. It takes time and talent for young pitchers to establish themselves at the big league level.
That Big Three of Glavine, Smoltz & Maddux (albeit with Chicago) did not come up on playoff-bound clubs. They were on 90+ loss teams. This year's #Braves find themselves trying to break in young starters amidst postseason expectations, because of several injuries and demotions.
I bring all this up to say having a pitching staff led by three Hall of Famers set the expectation bar incredibly high. Growing up, it became what I expected, that level of dominance. In hindsight, I have a deeper understanding and appreciation for watching those guys work.
And I've realized that was the exception and not the rule for how a staff is constructed and performs. At the present, Mike Soroka and Max Fried emerged as a top of the rotation arms. Others are still striving for that. Someone may get there, but it seldom happens immediately.
