Storyline: While “greatness” is a heavy word, there’s simply no other way to describe Jake Arrieta. He’s pitching better than pitchers who’ve been dubbed “legendary.” If that’s not “greatness” then I don’t know what greatness is.
Jake Arrieta has stirred up a good deal of buzz this MLB season. The Cubs’ ace has been a primary factor in the team’s success, accounting for six Cubbies’ wins in Chicago’s historic start.
Arrieta is just one of many great pitchers we’ve seen in the MLB recently. Roy Halladay, Tim Lincecum, Chris Carpenter, David Price, and Clayton Kershaw are just a few of the remarkable hurlers we’ve had the pleasure of watching perform.
Each has been swarmed by the media—at least for a time—only to have the press lose interest when “the next big thing” came along. But media never go away when it comes to a legend. Legendary players are consistently great—fixtures of baseball culture—covered and tracked until the bittersweet end. Then we talk about them for generations.
Does Jake Arrieta have a legit chance to become a baseball legend?
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Well, he has three things going for him. There’s his remarkable backstory. He’s helping transform the Cubs from NL bottom-feeder to potential NL Pennant winner. Add he’s a superb pitcher. All of those things give Arrieta a chance to achieve baseball immortality.
Backstory
Legends need an interesting backstory. Take Alabama football legend, Paul “Bear” Bryant. Bryant was given his nickname because of a rumor—that he wrestled a bear, and won, when he was 12 years old.
Arrieta’s story, while not quite as interesting as Bryant’s, is notable nonetheless. Even though he’s on top of the baseball world today, Arrieta wasn’t an immediate MLB star. But he’s a living example that “patience is a virtue” and that good things come to those who work hard.
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After attending high school in Plano, Texas, Arrieta was selected by the Reds in the 31st Round of the 2004 MLB Draft. While many players would’ve jumped right into the Big Leagues, Arrieta opted to develop his skills through college ball. He played at TCU along with current St. Louis Cardinals’ third baseman, Matt Carpenter.
Arrieta didn’t declare for the MLB Draft until the end of his junior year. Then he was drafted by the Orioles in 2007. He made his way through the minors, playing a good share of the time with the O’s Triple-A affiliate, Norfolk Tides. Arrieta finally made his MLB debut on July 10, 2010 against the Yankees.
He had a mediocre record: 20-25 with a 5.46 MLB ERA.
The O’s traded him to the Cubs.
Chicago recognized Arietta’s potential. He became one of the team’s main contributors, posting a 14-7 record and 3.01 ERA in his first year-and-a-half in The Windy City.
And that was before Arrieta’s breakout 2015 season, when he went 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA and hurled a no-hitter in August against the Dodgers. That feat was performed in the same stadium where legendary Dodger southpaw, Sandy Koufax, had pitched a perfect game against the Cubs 50 years earlier. Then, Arrieta repeated his no-hit feat. no-hitting the Reds in Cincinnati on April 21 this year.
Taking the Cubs from Cupcake to Contender
As a Cardinals’ fan I never viewed the Cubs as a serious threat in the NL Central. Then Jake Arrieta arrived and the NL Central turned upside down.
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The Cubbies made it to the postseason last year defeating the Pirates in the Wild Card Game, then the Cardinals in the NLDS, before bowing out to the Mets in the NLCS. While the Cubs were aided by the rise of rookies, such as Kris Bryant, last year’s success rests largely on Jake Arrieta’s shoulders.
He will always be remembered as the player who helped transform the Chicago Cubs from losers into winners. While good players can help a team succeed, great players make a team’s success inevitable.
Greatness
This year Arrieta is off to 6-0 start with a 1.13 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP. He’s causing sleepless nights for managers and players across the National League. While it is still early, it’s not too early to think about Arrieta ranking right up there with the greats. Consider these comparable numbers:
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During his best season in the Majors, Cy Young posted a 1.62 ERA.
“The Great Bambino,” Babe Ruth, had a 1.75 ERA in his best year.
Sandy Koufax recorded a 1.73 ERA at the peak of his career.
While “greatness” is a word with heavy connotation, there’s simply no other way to describe Jake Arrieta. He’s pitching better than pitchers who have been dubbed “legendary.” If that’s not “greatness,” then I don’t know what is.
While good players come and go, legendary players leave an everlasting impact on a sport. Jake Arrieta has a chance to become a baseball immortal.
Can Arrieta achieve it? Time will tell.
