KC Royals: Is Ned Yost’s ‘Mount Rushmore’ accurate?

Should Ned Yost have picked great KC Royals starter Bret Saberhagen?

While only four players can make Yost’s Mount Rushmore, it was a bit of a surprise to see he left Bret Saberhagen off of his list.

Saberhagen made an immediate impact when he was first called up in 1984, posting a 10-11 record with a 3.48 ERA. In 1985 he became the ace of the staff at just 21 by compiling a 20-6 record, 2.87 ERA, and a 1.058 WHIP. He also won the AL Cy Young award and World Series MVP.

Saberhagen won his second Cy Young in 1989 when he led the majors with 23 wins, a 2.16 ERA, 12 complete games, a 0.961 WHIP, a 4.49 SO/BB ratio, and 262.1 innings pitched. He won his only Gold Glove the same year.

A dominant pitcher, Saberhagen’s career totals as a Royal include 110 wins, a 3.21 ERA, 1,093 strikeouts, 64 complete games, and 14 shutouts in his eight years with the club. He was also a three-time All-Star (once with the Mets), pitched the fourth no-hitter in Royals’ history Aug. 26, 1991, and is in the club’s Hall of Fame.

Saberhagen also pitched for the Mets, Rockies and Red Sox and finished his 16-year career with 167 wins and a 3.34 ERA.