BRONX, N.Y. — MLB Network revealed its list of Top 100 Players Right Now. Not last year, not two years ago, right now.
On the list, the New York Yankees Gerrit Cole is listed at No. 7 and the top pitcher on the list. Cole edged out No. 8, Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets.
Superstar territory.
Introducing Nos. 10-7 of the @MLBNetwork Top 100 Right Now. pic.twitter.com/UuxsETZZIG
— MLB (@MLB) February 14, 2020
The news brought smiles a country mile wide to the faces of Yankees fans. Conversely, Mets fans collectively lost their minds on Twitter.
The ranking has brought about perhaps the best pitching debate ever in the city. Both are in their prime. Cole probably should’ve won the American League Cy Young last season. deGrom is working on his third consecutive National League Cy Young Award, which would make him the first to do so since Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux.
In all his glory: pic.twitter.com/BB2Q0iFUaw
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 12, 2020
Cole bested all junior circuit hurlers with a 2.50 ERA and 236 K’s in 2019. deGrom led the senior circuit with 255 whiffs.
Get an up close vantage point of @JdeGrom19’s first bullpen of the spring. 💪 pic.twitter.com/2wmviqF9Gm
— New York Mets (@Mets) February 13, 2020
When one thinks of it, this might be the best rivalry between city pitchers to come.
Johan Santana was fading as CC Sabathia came onto the scene. Mike Mussina/Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez were on the back nine. David Cone/Andy Pettitte and Al Leiter? Mel Stottlemyre/Tom Seaver/Ron Guidry/Dwight Gooden saw some overlap but not all quite in their prime at the same time. Whitey Ford and Don Newcombe? Lefty Gomez/Red Ruffing and Carl Hubbell?
Whatever your pick, the debate and discussion will sure continued to be heated.
