What is the best season by any pitcher in the history of baseball? There are a lot of good candidates, but I'm not sure that any pitcher ever reached a standard of excellence like Lefty Grove did in the 1930's. This year, as ace of the Philadelphia Athletics, Grove had one of his best years, and led his team to their second straight World Series victory.

         Hmmm. Grove led the league in ERA, by a wide margin almost a full run lower than Wes Ferrell's. The league ERA this year was 4.65; Grove's was more than two runs lower. Grove allowed the fewest baserunners in the league, and was the dominant strikeout pitcher in the league. Oh, he also led the league in games pitched and saves.
         Now, with regards to greatest seasons ever, a 2.54 ERA probably isn't going to impress too many people. But this was 1930, when run totals were soaring out of control. Taken in the context of the era, it is more impressive than many lower ERA's by other pitchers in other eras. Grove's dominance is backed up by his won-loss record, which is as good as you can get. I don't think this was Grove's best season, but it does rank among the all-time best.
         Wes Ferrell was a wonderful and underrated pitcher who had one of his best years this year. He was second to Grove in both wins and ERA. Lefty Stewart was a decent pitcher who had one big year; Ted Lyons pitched a long time and had a great career. Though Lyons had a better career, I think Stewart deserves to rank just ahead of him.
         This was also Bump Hadley's best year. His real name was Irving Darius Hadley, so where "Bump" came from I don't know. Bump Hadley was the Bobby Witt of the era; he rivalled Grove as the hardest thrower in the league. This year, he actually allowed fewer hits per game than Grove did. Hadley is probably best known as the guy who hit Mickey Cochrane in the head with a fastball, putting the superstar catcher in a coma for ten days. Hadley's career was hampered by the fact he had no control, walking as many as 171 men in a season. Still, he hung around for a long time; his value constantly bounced up and down, but he managed to win 161 games.