Who is this RA Dickey?

[yankeesrule2004]

The question is do i start him next week at home against detroit?
I can start seven.

I have
Pitchers
Halladay
Schmidt
Benitez
O. Perez
Contreras
Dubose
Izzy
Urbina
Kip Wells
Lieber
Dickey

[Pedantic]

I would not.

[EK711]

I know I have never heard much about him apart from his weird elbow. I'm very intrigued by him right now. Anyone else know more about him? I seem to remember reading somewhere before that doctors aren't sure how he can throw anything without that ligament, let alone pitch in the majors. Here's some more RA info for other curious people.

Texas Rangers SP R.A. Dickey is missing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. "I think that's why I can throw so much, and am so resilient, because I don't have the ligament at all, I'm never sore," said Dickey. "So many times so many people said I should retire, I would never be able to be here. That's not any reflection of me. I know God's got a special plan for my life and I have faith in that."

An elbow that never gets sore... Must be the envy of many a pitcher.

[Pedantic]

Where's Mad when you need him?

[daveblotto]

You guys think he's a better option then I.Valdez or M.Maoth?

[warrick95]

Yeah, he's better than Valdez...Maroth...maybe. Maroth pitches at a more favorable park, but I'd probably still go with Dickey and "The Thing." It looked like a knuckler to me...due to its rotation and lack of spin.

[EK711]

I like him better than Maroth just because I'm no completely sold on the Tigers offense keeping up the pace they've set and his win total could falter some. The Rangers are young as well, but more proven. If you need the K's I'd put Dickey ahead of Valdez. Not necessarily because Dickey is going to be huge in strikeout numbers, but because Valdez seems like he's only good for 1-2 a game 3 tops. If don't need the K's then Valdez over Dickey.

[Madison]

Where's Mad when you need him?

Oh, I'm around.

Dickey, just like Lewis and Benoit, has quite a bit of upside.

For Dickey it's mostly just a matter of keeping his head. He's got the tools and the ability. He just needs to make sure he pitches his game. Stick to the plan and do what he does best. He's not overpowering, but a fair share of k's with reasonable era/whip numbers would not be much of a surprise. I'm not saying jump all over him, but I can think of bigger gambles out there.