Advanced metrics don’t always tell the story.
Doug Drabek was the ace of the Pirates staff during the years they went to three consecutive NLCS (1990-92), though his bWAR does not reflect this. Still, Drabek WAS the ace, won a lot, and generated confidence in teammates and fans alike.
Drabek began his career with the New York Yankees and was traded to the Pirates after only one year. Inserted into Pittsburgh starting rotation immediately, Drabek slowly became a workhorse for the team, first breaking the sub-3 ERA in 1989 (2.80), and he reduced that to 2,76 in 1990. That was the year he led the NL in Wins (22), had a WHIP of 1.063, and won the Cy Young. Drabek then took the Pirates to the playoff three straight years, winning 30 Games combined in 1991 and 1992, with a fifth-place Cy Young finish in the latter year.
The Pirates imploded after the 1992 Season, essentially disbanding due to cost-cutting. Drabek joined Houston as a Free Agent. With the Pirates, Drabek won 92 Games against 62 Losses with a 3.20 ERA, a 1.148 WHIP, and 820 Strikeouts.
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