Pitching in Major League Baseball has evolved a lot since the 1970s—velocity is king, analytics drive decisions, and starters rarely go past six innings. But some arms from that gritty, old-school era had the kind of talent that would still shine bright in today’s game.
Whether it was raw power, filthy breaking stuff, or bulldog mentality, these pitchers were built to last—no matter the decade. Let’s take a look at 10 hurlers from the ’70s who could absolutely hold their own (or even dominate) in modern baseball.
10. Luis Tiant
With his funky delivery and fearless attitude, Tiant would have hitters spinning today just like he did back then. His ability to change speeds and deceive batters fits perfectly in the modern game.
9. Vida Blue
Blue had electric stuff and a smooth lefty motion that would make him a rotation anchor in any era. Give him a pitch count and a modern strength program, and he’d be lights-out.
8. Jerry Koosman
Koosman was overshadowed by Tom Seaver, but his combination of command and movement would still play today. He was the kind of crafty lefty that modern teams love in a playoff rotation.
7. J.R. Richard
Richard threw absolute gas and had a terrifying presence on the mound. If he played today with modern medical care and analytics, he could’ve been a perennial Cy Young threat.
6. Catfish Hunter
Hunter was a big-game pitcher who thrived under pressure, with a killer mix of control and confidence. He’d be a reliable workhorse in today’s league—even if they wouldn’t let him throw 300 innings.
5. Don Sutton
Sutton didn’t overpower hitters, but he beat them with brains and elite command. In a league that values spin rates and precision, he’d fit right in with today’s pitching labs.
4. Dennis Eckersley
Before he was a shutdown closer, Eck was a nasty starter with movement and moxie. His stuff would still play today, and his bullpen versatility would be a dream for modern managers.
3. Jim Palmer
Palmer had the stuff, the swagger, and the smarts to thrive in any era. He worked fast, threw strikes, and didn’t need gimmicks to get outs—just talent and attitude.
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2. Nolan Ryan
Ryan threw harder than most guys do today, and he did it deep into games. In a world obsessed with velocity and strikeouts, he’d be even more of a legend.
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1. Tom Seaver
Seaver was the total package—power, precision, and relentless competitiveness. He would dominate modern lineups and probably be the face of every pitching metric stat page out there.
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