Who is the greatest Astros pitcher ever?

[bobcatfan]

I thought this would make an interesting debate for astros fans.  There are 2 names you will probably notice that are omitted from this list: Billy Wagner and Roger Clemens.  I left off Wagner because i think its too hard to argue a closer vs a starter, and i left off Clemens because this is an astros all time pitcher question and Clemens only pitched 3 seasons for the astros.  I think you can make a good argument for most of these pitchers on the list for various reasons.  Joe Niekro is the all time wins leader for the astros and had 2 20 win seasons.  Larry Dierker is 2nd all time in wins and 1st in innings pitched and complete games and shutouts for astros pitchers.  Mike Scott was the 86' Cy Young winner and 86' ALCS MVP (in a losing effort), although his brilliance was over a short period of time.  JR Richard had some very impressive seasons, and I never watched him pitch but have heard he was the most dominating and devastating pitcher the astros ever had at any time.  Its unfortunate he could play out his career healthy because he might very well be number 1 on this list.  Nolan Ryan is the most popular name on this list, but he wouldnt get my vote because in 9 seasons, he only won over 14 games twice (14,16) and didnt pitch over 200 innings in 4 of those seasons.  But my vote goes to Roy Oswalt.  I think this question will be easier to answer in 5 years when he is (hopefully) closing in on 200 wins and hopefully some Cy Youngs.  But among all the pitchers listed, he has by far the best winning percentage.  He also has the lowest walk rate and the lowest ERA.  And while he hasnt won a Cy Young yet, he has 5 top 5 finishes, which is more than anyone on this list, which shows his great consistency.  And most importantly, he was the 05' NLCS MVP, he pitched the astros into their only world series, something astros fans will never forget....

[bullets13]

It's gotta be roy... if you wanna take some of the other players' entire careers, maybe you can choose someone else, but just going on astros stats, he wins hands down.